Pssst, can I tell you a secret? I’m a bit of a Scrooge. It’s not Christmas itself, but what it has become that has me turned off by this time if the year. But here I go, making a post to perpetuate the gift-giving frenzy that has us all running around like the proverbial chickens with our heads cut off.
So why am I writing this wish list? Because I actually use this time of the year to take advantage of sales to buy things for my real food kitchen (usually because of gift money from my parents). And I thought you might want to see the gadgets that I wish I had or that I already use to ‘make the magic happen’ in my real food kitchen. (stop laughing, I’m serious). Also, if you are so inclined and plan to get some of these goodies yourself, please use our links. You will be helping the Real Food Freaks pay for another year of hosting and keep us around for a while. I assure you we are not getting rich here. 
My List For Santa
Crock Pot - I already have a crock pot, but I have just realized that I have a crack in the pot. So disappointing. The crock pot is such a staple in my house and I definitely need a new one . . . PRONTO. I have read various articles about lead in the crocks, but the most convincing article is that lead is of little to no concern. So this is the crock I choose . . . .
Dehydrator – Yes, the oven works just fine for dehydrating, but I am spending a lot of money on my gas bill! ($300 one month during preservation season). So this is an investment that will pay for itself when my gas bill goes back to normal!
What I Already Have and Love
Stick Blender - Do I need my stick blender? Probably not, but I love how this makes my clean up a lot easier when I make soups and other recipes that require pureeing.
9 – cup Food Processor - Where the stick blender is more of a convenience, my food processor has been my secret weapon. Could I live without it? Yes, but I would likely be spending a lot less time blogging and much more time in the kitchen chopping without it! When my little 4 cup food processor burned out (had it for 14 years) this was the one that I bought to replace it with . . . and.I.love.it!
KitchenAid Pro 6 Qt Mixer - If you are a baker, you know that a good mixer is important. I have had my KitchenAid mixer for 7 years and don’t know how I lived without it in the past . . . . I also use the KA ice cream attachment (next link) to make my homemade ice cream!
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment - All year long, but especially in the summer months, this has become a favorite way to make nutrient dense ice cream from scratch!
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker - I visited a friend over the summer who had one of these. It works great, so if you don’t have a KA mixer, just know that you can buy a separate machine to make your ice cream as well.
Ingredients for Things I Have Made
Vanilla Beans – It takes 6 months to make really good vanilla extract, so it’s a little late to start now for gift giving. But I often buy bulk vanilla beans for my other holiday treats like Adult Butterscotch Custard and Vanilla Coconut Sugar Scrub.
Adult Butterscotch Custard
Links in this post are affiliate links. Real Food Freaks gets a small percentage of the sale if you choose to buy. You DO NOT pay more for your item because of this. If you like what we do here, please help us pay for hosting costs by purchasing through our affiliate links. Also, please note that we only place links for products that we use or absolutely believe in. In the case of this particular post, there are some items linked here which I will be buying for myself soon but don’t already use.
I have a dehydrator but its just a little one. I wish I had an Excalibur one.
To be honest, there is another one that I REALLY want. But it is like $400-500 — stainless steel and beautiful. I feel like that is a little too extravagant of a cost, so unless I strike it rich I will try to aim for something a little more attainable.
I have never had a food processor…that is on My wishlist!
When mine broke down I was so lost without it. I use it almost everyday. Hope you are able to get one soon. It makes life in the kitchen so much faster and easier.
I have a 7 qt crock pot, a 4 shelf Excalibur, stick blender, Ice cream maker and food processor. What I’d really love is more time at home to use those fantastic Appliances.
I do the best I can with my work schedule but I’d love to be an at home mom again, creating real food master pieces.
Valerie, I hear you. I may actually have to go back to work because of this crazy economy and I know that my cooking will suffer because of it. But, I do think that some of those items lighten the load, don’t they?
I’m surprised you don’t have a Vitamix!
If I could afford one I would totally get it. I just never have a spare $400+ dollars anywhere.
I know it would make some things so much easier, but there are other things that I think are more of a priority. Seems like once I have everything settled, something breaks (eh,hm crockpot)
I have a 9shelf Excalabur and it is worth spending the extra $’s for it. I LOVE it!!!
Good to know, Cindy. I know I will be saving on my gas bill (my oven is gas) but how is it on your electricity?
I got lucky and found a great crock pot on sale left over form black friday. But a dehydrator is on my list and an ice cream maker would be nice. I too have to work full time and wish I had more time for the kitchen. I do what I can on my time off, but staying in the kitchen really cuts into my time with my daughter and hubby. It is also incredibly hard to get all the good broth and foods that I make into my 4 year old daughter since she has to go to daycare and really only gets one meal a day at home (dinner). Oh well, hopefully it will get bette
r in time.
The crockot has been a time saver for me. I think that is the most important item in the kitchen — especially if you work outside the home. You might want to consider getting 2 crockpots. One for meals and the other so that you always have broth cooking.
I have contemplated doing that as well.