Cookbooks!

I tend to go overboard when buying cookbooks. I have several, have been gifted many, and now with the Internet, I can search all over for recipes.  I have my mother's original Betty Crocker Cookbook. It's a classic that I reference it all of the time. My favorite Christmas cookie cookbook was a gift from a friend when I moved from Michigan (and away from our annual Christmas cookie baking spree). I love popular cookbooks as well.  Recent purchases are the latest Pioneer Woman and Theresa from Jersey Housewives (I know, but there are some great recipes!).

Many of the books are covered with food and pages are dog eared, but I love them.  I've recently started using my iPad, but I worry about spilling on it, so I'm very careful. I also subscribe to Martha Stewart Everyday and Bon Appetit Magazine. Truly, any where I can find recipes is great. In fact, my recipe book is bulging with paper, torn out recipes, and pieces of packaging that bears recipes. I have to rubber band it shut and I'm worried many will be lost. Hence, my cooking blog.

Blender!

I love my immersion blender.  I mean love, love, love. In the past, I have burned through several traditional benders. Some the motor went up in smoke, others I've dropped the glass vessel and all I had left was the base. I've tried Cuisinart-style blender/mixers, I've tried plastic blenders. All to no avail.

Now, I have this handy immersion blender that works so easily, cleans like a dream, and is inexpensive. I use it for my morning smoothies since it fits perfectly in my cup/straw combo.  I use it for my pumpkin soup recipe (it can be used for any recipe that needs blending). It is so much safer than transferring hot liquid into a blender and then worrying over the heat popping the lid off.  I also love it when I make my Dutch Baby. Really, anything that needs to be blended works!

What is your kitchen go-to-tool?