Betty Crocker sent over a basket of great kitchen tools, I think in anticipation of luring me into a healthier, happier relationship with my kitchen. I love the “stuff”, but the jury is still out on the whole relationship thing. 
The Mixer gift basket was filled with a Betty Crocker mixing spoon (and I’m pretty sure it is no longer mine since Lil Roo basically saw it, claimed it, and took off with it. I guess a large red spoon is just cool, LOL!), spatula, silver measuring spoons and cups (which I really like), whisk, plastic liquid measuring cup (basically the same size as the basic glass 1 cup ones, except this measures up to 2 ½ cups which means I won’t have to drag out the huge measuring cup for anything over 1 cup) and a Betty Crocker Magazine (125+ “Easy, Inspiring Ideas” – mostly cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and bars).
I have to say the book / magazine intriques me the most. Cakes scare the crap out of me, so don’t anticipate me trying any of those out. The other stuff sounds somewhat reasonable, as I much prefer the attempt at baking instead of meal prep. (C’mon, surely you’ve noticed how irregular my attempts at meal planning are? And even when I plan, I don’t always follow the plan.) There’s a recipe for Sunshine cupcakes that looks really cute and seeing the striking Princess cake (an actual 3D standing up princess) makes me glad at the moment that I do not have a girl. I would really want to make that – and the results could be diseasterous. Just saying. I’m flipping through the book as I type this and am now having an “oh. my. goodness.” moment as I have found Coffee-Chocolate Chip Bars that look absolutely fab. Maybe I’ll make that my experiement with all my new cool tools and tell you all about it. For humorous purposes I am sure, LOL!
Incidently, the Chirpy Chick Cupcakes I made with Lil Roo for Easter were a Better Crocker recipe and they actually turned out well – until the part about turning them into cute lil chicky looking things. It went downhill from there.
I suppose there is hope for even me, and whether you are where I am or just want to learn a few new tips-n-tricks to add to your already extensive knowledge and expertise in the kitchen (or anywhere in between), you might want to check out the newest thing Miss Betty Crocker has up her sleeve!
Six free weekly classes
Live Betty Crocker experts
Connect with others
Tips & Tricks
Classes are held three times a week. Chat live with the Betty Crocker Kitchens Experts: Tuesdays 7 p.m. ET, Wednesdays 9 p.m. ET, and Saturdays 4 p.m. ET
Week #1 – Week of April 6 - Kickin Chicken Recipes and tips for making juicy, mouthwatering chicken
Week #2 - Week of April 13 - Pastabilities Secrets of building flavor that will allow you to create your own signature sauces
Week #3 - Week of April 20 - Greens with Envy Recipes for go-to salads
Week #4 - Week of April 27 - Viva Tortilla Taking taco night to a whole new level
Week #5 - Week of May 4 - Wok it Out Stir-fry techniques and recipes for easy flavorful sauces
Week #6 - Week of May 11 - Small Bites-Big Flavors Dips and appetizers that are easy and flavorful and guiltless desserts
But don’t worry! If you miss it, you can always go back to watch the class on demand and get in on the conversation.
Oh – and did I mention it is completely FREE? Head on over to Betty Crocker – The Mixer to sign up and get in on all the action!
Annnnnnd…..
Betty Crocker wants to give one Shake The Salt reader their own Mixer gift basket! To enter, tell me what the one cooking gadget in the kitchen is that you can’t live without.
Get an extra entry just for signing up for The Mixer club. (Leave an extra comment to let me know.)
Deadline to enter: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 @ 11:59 PM.
1 April 15th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I can’t live w/o my mixing bowls..I need them for everything
2 April 15th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I can’t live without my grater thingy for hash browns
Ginny’s last blog post: Joolwe jewelry ~ Great Mother’s Day Gift Idea
3 April 15th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
i’m a member of the mixer
Ginny’s last blog post: Joolwe jewelry ~ Great Mother’s Day Gift Idea
4 April 15th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I just can’t live without a silicone spatula & scrapers tool set. They are great for getting in tight places and not scratching up non-stick pans/ skillets.
5 April 15th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
May Canadians enter? The one cooking gadget I can’t live without is a chef’s knife.
6 April 15th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
My measuring spoons. I do a lot of baking and I measure out everything
Becky S.’s last blog post: Dresses!
7 April 15th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I can’t live without my food processor. I make A LOT of salsa!
8 April 15th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Just signed up for The Mixer…sounds like fun!
9 April 15th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I can’t live without my mini chopper. It works great on everything from vegetables to fresh herbs. And it’s tiny, so clean up and storage are a breeze.
Dana’s last blog post: Happy Birthday!
10 April 15th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I can’t live without my microplane! Sure you can buy lemon zest, but fresh is best!
Fresh Girl’s last blog post: Starring yours truly…
11 April 15th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I can’t live without my food processer.
Carolyn G’s last blog post: Mostly Wordless Wednesday
12 April 15th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I am a mixer member
Carolyn G’s last blog post: Mostly Wordless Wednesday
13 April 16th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I can live with out my knives!! I use them ALL the time and I love them!
Jennifer’s last blog post: Great Giveaway that I found!!
14 April 16th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Does the dishwasher count?! LOL! I also like my crock pot a lot too
15 April 16th, 2009 at 7:11 am
I can’t live without a pizza cutter - at least for now with the little ones and all the meals I have to cut up!
Sarah’s last blog post: Thousand Word - Wacky Wednesday Attire
16 April 16th, 2009 at 7:13 am
i love me stainless steel knives
17 April 16th, 2009 at 7:21 am
My crockpot
jceko77@yahoo.com
18 April 16th, 2009 at 8:04 am
I can’t live without my Kitchen Shears!!!! I use them to cut up my kids food…..it is SO much easier (and quicker) than using a fork and knife….especially when you have 4 little ones!
19 April 16th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I’m not much of a cooker or baker, but thanks to Betty Crocker I can pretend! As a matter of fact, I probably owe at least 5 pounds to her this spring.
My gadgets are the slow cooker, toaster oven and microwave. But I am certain if I had a KitchenAid mixer it would be that. Is my husband reading this? I hope so.
Sarah at themommylogues’s last blog post: I have survived.
20 April 16th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Love my crock pot.
21 April 16th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I love my microplane zester. I use it for everything from zesting citrus fruit to grating garlic.
22 April 16th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Mixer member
23 April 16th, 2009 at 10:33 am
My mini spatula gets used all the time! It’s one of those random things that I just couldn’t lose! Actually…it is on it’s last leg, so I may need to find a new one! LOL!
Jingle’s last blog post: Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes with Peep toppers!
24 April 16th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I just signed up for the Mixer Club.
25 April 16th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I can’t live without my food processor. I’ve had it for what seems like forever and it comes in very handy when making homemade baby food.
Linda.Stewart(at)Drakesoftware.com
26 April 16th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I need all my mixing tools can’t wait to use them again and would love to have more
cyndie’s last blog post: Happy Friday
27 April 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I can’t live without my measuring spoons and cups.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
28 April 16th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I signed up at the Mixer Club.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)comn
29 April 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I use my apple slicer and my kitchen shears daily. These are both Pampered Chef items.
alsdgravenhof@hotmail.com
30 April 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I signed up for the mixer club.
alsdgravenhof@hotmail.com
31 April 16th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I love my mini-cutting board. Helps me move around the kitchen, getting every last counter dirty!
32 April 16th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I signed up for BC’s The Mixer!
33 April 16th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I could not live without my cake pans. Thanks for the chance.
34 April 16th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I absolutely cannot live without tongs!
35 April 16th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Can’t live without paring knives. I’m constantly converting big people food into finger food for the babe. I’d also really miss my silicone spatulas.
36 April 16th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I cant live without my pasta drainer! LOL
jill.watkins@gmail.com
37 April 16th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I cannot live without my food processor. I use it all the time to sneak those veggies into my kids meals..thanks
yzgirl4[at]verizon[dot]net
38 April 16th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Well, I don’t have a lot of time to cook from scratch anymore so there’s probably not anything that I can’t “live without”, but I do love my little egg slicer. I always hated cutting up boiled eggs, not that it’s that hard, I just didn’t like doing it. Even my 3 y.o. daughter can use this to cut her own eggs & I love it.
Thanks for the opportunity,
Beth
39 April 16th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
The one gadget I can’t do without is my stand mixer! I LOVE it! I finally got to upgrade my KitchenAid o a bigger motor for MORE POWER!
Thanks!
40 April 16th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I am already a member of the Mixer Club!
41 April 17th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I couldn’t live with out my wisk - who can make gravy without it?
timber3313 at yahoo dot com
42 April 17th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I’m a member of The Mixer Club (under srvymaster at yahoo dot com)
timber3313 at yahoo dot com
43 April 17th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I love my apple corer/slicer. It is the fastest way to get healthy snacks to my kiddos.
Lori Z.’s last blog post: Wordy Wednesday
44 April 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I cannot live without my potato peeler. I use it all the time. Thank you!
45 April 17th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
We can’t live without our pizza cutter-it’s great for cutting almost anything.
46 April 17th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I’m now a member of the Mixer Club.
47 April 17th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I can’t live without my rubber scraper/ spatula! Thanks for the chance.
48 April 18th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I can’t live without my mixer
49 April 19th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Wooden spoons– simple i know, but essential for me.
50 April 19th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I love my Pampered Chef Mix & Chop!
debbielynne’s last blog post: Monday again…
51 April 19th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I love my food chopper.
Nicole’s last blog post: Bloggers and Web Owners - Earn money from Freebies!
52 April 20th, 2009 at 6:34 am
I can’t live without my grater! I love grated cheese!!!
Katie’s last blog post: Free Carvel Iceberg April 30th 3pm - 7pm
53 April 20th, 2009 at 9:16 am
I can’t live without my cheese grater.
jenny’s last blog post: Getting Wild in Charlotte, NC
54 April 20th, 2009 at 9:42 am
The item I have been using a lot is a whisk. It seems I hadn’t used one in years, now I’m using it all the time.
55 April 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
I couldn’t live with out my good knives–two paring knives. Don’t know if these count as a gadget, but I use these over and over in a day. One of my favorite gadgets is my garlic press–love it!
Jen’s last blog post: Free Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream–Tuesday
56 April 20th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Hmmm, tough one, I love all cooking gadgets, anything to make cooking easier and funner (is to a word)…my garlic press is pretty awesome though.
tattooedminivanmom’s last blog post: Thank You For Pointing That Out To Me Son…
57 April 20th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I joined mixer club
58 April 20th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I can’t live without my mixing bowls. I’ve had them forever and they’ve just become a part of my kitchen!
Krista’s last blog post: My CVS deals for 4/19
59 April 20th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Can’t live without my measuring spoons and cups! Yup! I’m a Weight Watcher and they have Trained me well. Love that Food scale TOO! hahah
Leslie
Leslie M’s last blog post: Ya’ll know I am a HUGE Water Drinker, RIGHT?
60 April 20th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I have a small serving spatula that I just love. I don’t know what I ever did with out it!
61 April 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I signed up for the Mixer Club!
Leslie
Leslie M’s last blog post: Ya’ll know I am a HUGE Water Drinker, RIGHT?
62 April 20th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
My toaster oven! Or, if we are going for a smaller gadget - my peeler!
Dina’s last blog post: By the Book: How to Take Care of MY Kids: Review, Discount Code and Giveaway (5/9)
63 April 20th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I cant live without my food processer, I use it almost daily for different things. Thanks.
64 April 21st, 2009 at 8:40 am
I can’t live without my wooden spoons, I think my mom caused this as this is her favorite kitchen item too:)
65 April 21st, 2009 at 11:22 am
I can’t live without my strainer. It’s not extraordinary, but I use it all the time. Thanks.
66 April 21st, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I can’t live without my kitchen plyers. They’re just a simple pair of slip jaw plyers, but so useful for getting jars open, dealing with hot pans (especially when the oven mitts have gone missing…again), cracking nuts, etc. The women in my family have always used a pair of plyers in our kitchens back at least three generations…probably more.
Thanks for the chance to win!
67 April 21st, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I can’t live without the blender. I am addicted to smoothies. It’s so easy to get a couple of servings of fruits by drinking just one a day!
68 April 21st, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I cannot live without my Corian cutting board. I use it multiple times a day and it wipes clean every time. Thanks!
69 April 21st, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I am a Betty Crocker member. Thanks!
70 April 22nd, 2009 at 12:59 am
Wisk! I have to have my wisk!
71 April 22nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I love my spatulas!
http://www.roscoethekitten.blogspot.com
hermindwanders at gmail dot com
72 April 22nd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I can’t live without my microplane. I use it for all kinds of things, from nutmeg to ginger.
73 April 22nd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I joined the Mixer Club.
74 April 26th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I can’t live without my coffee maker!
75 April 26th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I signed up for the Mixer Club!
76 April 30th, 2009 at 6:56 am
I couldn’t live without my potato masher,a comfort food that my family loves. I used a mixer and I made glue so give me my hand held potato masher!!
Thanks
matternu@aol.com
77 April 30th, 2009 at 6:58 am
A member of the mixer
matternu@aol.com