Gator Pam

I'm unsure if this is a new price with the deals which kicked in, or if it's been this price for a while, but Amazon is offering the Mealthy Crisplid for under $50 with free shipping. I much prefer this over the Instant Pot brand air fryer lid; it can be used with any 6- or 8- quart electric pressure cooker, including the Duo Evo Plus or the Smart, which the IP brand lid does not do. Not to mention the IP brand lid is only good on6-quart IP brand machines. If one wants an IP brand lid for an 8-quart, they have to buy the entire 8-quart Duo Crisp unit. https://www.amazon.com/Mealthy-CrispLid-Pressure-Cooker-Silicone/dp/B07RZDFVQV/

Rabbit! Rabbit!! Rabbit!!!

Happy Halloween!

If you can wait until holiday/winter items go clearance at Target, they usually put their flannel sheet sets at up to 70% off, if any are remaining when clearance goes down that low.

IIRC, sign up postings will start mid November, as I believe we're still supposed to post in November. That makes the full year. Traditionally, I believe the thread to count as a first post closes on December 1st.

1. True Navy #2 2. Charcoal Black #3

Since I basically had no income during the 18 months of lockdown, my credit cards are maxed out just from living expenses. I've managed to make minimum payments, but interest is killing me. Thankfully, with schools reopening, clerical subs are starting to be needed again, so hopefully I'll be able to pay them down. But having those maxed balances paid off would be my dream gift.

Nine's now in my purse for those occasions when a really bright light is necessary. Thanks again, Brad!

Mine finally arrived. Due to an issue, I haven't opened it yet, but I'm excited to check it out. Thanks, Brad!

My long awaited P.INK Day was today. When I approved the design, I forgot it was a stencil, so the treble clef came out backwards. A lifelong mistake, but it shows I'm human...

They are lovely, aren't they?Unfortunately, they're not appropriate for Hanukkah. The shorter ones are 27 hour burning candles, used 4 times a year on specific holy days and also once a year on the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the passing of an immediate family loved one. The anniversary is called the yahrzeit, so they are commonly sold as "yahrzeit candles." Since this was for one of the four holy days, and all three adults in my household have lost immediate family members, we light quite a few. The tall one in the middle is called a Neshama (soul) candle. It burns for seven days while one sits shivah the week after the funeral for an immediate family member. My landlord had lost his father earlier in the week, so we placed the yahrzeit candles around the Neshama candle at the appropriate time. So, as you can see, they're not appropriate for Hanukkah. However, while it may be sacrilegious, I do use a fresh yahrzeit candles inside my jack-o'-lantern every year. It's inexpensive, long burning, and tends to be protected by from any breezes. Maybe next year. I'm still trying to recover from not having any income while the schools were closed or on limited staff, so no clerical staff was needed, during lockdown. My credit cards are maxed out and I'm barely getting by making minimum payments. Interest is killing me, but it was the only way I could pay for things for more than 18 months. Since school opened up this term, I've had substitute gigs, but pay is held back a full month. I'm hopeful I can keep working, build up my checking account balance a little, and then start paying more than the minimum payments on my credit cards.As I said in the haiku thread, this year will only consist of gifts of love for family. I just can't swing anything else.

Congratulations everyone, Thanks Brad!

When I first got my 6-quart Instant Pot, I wanted a steamer basket to pressure cook items such as hard cooked eggs. At the time, the only one available that I heard about was one which goes in the insert, but had two horizontal round handles which needed to be broken off in order to fit, resulting in rough edges which over time start to rust. The fact that there is no handle also means a sling or trivet is needed to take it out. In a search to replace my steamer basket, I see there are now steamer baskets with a collapsible round wire handle available. For me, along with the trivet which comes with the pot, and a 7" or 8" push pan which fits in the 6-quart insert, the steamer basket completes what I see as the essential accessories to use with the Instant Pot. https://www.amazon.com/Original-Salbree-Accessories-Stainless-Strainer/dp/B074CPVFN8/

Yep, pretty sure I posted this on the first or second day. I've been jonesing for own ever since I first saw them.

I haven't seen mine yet,and I don't think I was late in replying. It will get here when it gets here.

Now I'm really curious!

For when one is ready to branch out in to making cheesecake in the Instant Pot. The 7" × 3" Fat Daddio round push pan is a good starting point. It fits in the 6-quart insert with plenty of clearance, and with no springform latch is sturdy and will last years. The bottom will leak thin liquids, so it is not ideal for making a lasagna with thinner sauce, unless one wraps the bottom with foil. Some thin liquid will still pool inside the foil, and the foil needs to be removed before pushing on the bottom plate to remove it. But for thicker batters it works great. I have moved on to an 8" × 2.78" Kuhn Rikon push pan with a silicon gasket around the perimeter of the bottom plate. That doesn't leak at all, and will fit in the 6-quart insert with some finagling. But, it appears Kuhn Rikon has discontinued manufacturing them, as I have been unable to find it online for several years, other than the occasional eBay or Etsy listing.

I work as a clerical substitute for two local school districts. The schools all do gift exchanges; I can't answer for the administration or warehouse locations. I wouldn't be surprised if they did, though. As a short term substitute, I've never been included in these. I suspect long term teachers or office workers may be invited to take part.

Speaking of the Instant Pot, this is going to appear to be a repeat. But there are additional savings to be had... Both The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook (the orange cover) and The Lighter Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook (the blue cover) are "buy 2, get 1 free" today. The orange book is still selling for nearly half off, while the blue book is priced a third down. Mix and match is happening, although the freebie would be the orange book since it's cheaper. One can get a third blue book for free, if all three books are the lighter one.

Everyone, everyone needs decent kitchen knives. A sturdy, sharp set of knives is much safer than flimsy, dull knives. One doesn't need a lot of knives; a chef's knife or santoku and a good paring knife could suffice. I normally recommend one goes to a reputable supply shop with a good cutlery department and try out different knives before buying. You want to compare the fit in your hand, the weight of the knife, and the knife's balance. But, I understand not everyone has that option. In my opinion, Misen makes very good "essential" starter knife sets, both in a 3-piece and 5-piece option for decent prices. Unfortunately, the sets are not sold on Amazon, that I can find. To start off, give the Misen Professional Chefs Knife from Amazon a try.

I'm not a huge specialty coffee drinker, so while the Nespresso has tempted me, I don't really want to devote counter and storage space to a device I'll rarely use. However, the Instant Pod Coffee and Espresso Maker uses both K-cups (or generic/refillable K-cup style cups) and classic Nespresso pods to make both a regular cuppa and an espresso. While I'm not a fan of discarding individual pods, I understand why the Nespresso doesn't have refillable pods available. I would definitely invest in a refillable K-cup and keep my consumption of espresso to a minimum. I think I would be comfortable with that compromise.

That's purty!

Building on yesterday's suggestion of The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook, this is Jeffrey's second book, which focuses on "lighter" recipes for the Instant Pot. Same layout as the first book, which makes cooking with the Instant Pot more foolproof. The Lighter Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook

For those new to using the Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker and is apprehensive about how to use it and achieve yummy results. This cookbook has photos of literally every step in a recipe, as well as an estimated timeline of how long each recipe should take, including time to build pressure. I, personally, do have a few slight issues with some of the techniques used in a few recipes, but overall I highly recommend. The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook Ooo, surprise! The paperback nearly half off today.

Building on the syphon coffee maker idea, this is for someone who glitz and glamour is as important as functionality and entertainment. Diguo Belgian/Belgium Balance Royal Family Syphon Coffee Maker