Well, I imagine you guessed it, they are the same handmixer  in different colored finishes. The advantage to the white mixer is that it is timeless. White in a kitchen will always work , no matter what the other colors are . I really like some of the beautiful colored mixers. But here’s the thing. if I get a cobalt blue mixer today to go with my new kitchen that has shades of blue in the backsplash, what happens if I can’t find a toaster in cobalt blue. What in the world will I do with that set of yellow canisters that aunt Jenny gave me for a wedding gift or that scatter rug by the door. There are just too, many things for me to think about if I seriously consider that cobalt blue mixer. That could just ruin my whole vision for the kitchen . But hey, If you really like cobalt blue or any other color for that matter, And you think it will brighten your day every time you mix with it, then Just go for it and enjoy . Cobalt blue is really beautiful.

Just like people, handmixers have a life expectancy. What that is varies dependent on a whole lot of factors.  As you can imagine a sturdy well built mixer will have a longer life span. How much use the mixer gets and the type of care are also very important factors in how long you can expect your mixer to last. If you are using a light weight mixer to mix heavier mixtures, you can expect that it is going to shorten the life of the machine. If you are following directions that come with your mixer and cleaning and storing it as directed, then your mixer will serve you well for some time after the warranty is lapsed. Remember as well that quality will affect the life of your mixer , Well known established  manufacturers want their customers to be happy with the mixer. If you buy quality from  established manufacturers,  you so you can reasonably expect that they will stand behind their product. But the life of your handmixer will depend on you to take good care of it.

If you are just designing your new kitchen or reorganizing your old one, remember to designate convenient work spaces.  Whether your baking area is an island or just a space at one end of your kitchen counter arrange your handmixer and its attachments so that they are convenient to get at and to use. You need to consider if there are convenient electrical outlets for your electric hand mixer and storage space to safely tuck it away after use. You don’t want to be dragging your mixer cord over your work area, you want it behind  or depending on your handedness , to the left or right of the mixing space. Some cooks like to hang their tools when they are not in use , it definitely makes them handy to access. You might want to consider how that would work for you if you like to see everything tucked away out of sight when not in use . It’s a personal choice . .

The first most obvious advantage is the ability to move it to the area where you are working. This may be a counter top or it may even be the stove top or close to the microwave; wherever you are making a sauce that needs mixing during the cooking process. A hand held mixer will be easier to clean and sore as well. No need to take things apart, just pop out the beaters, drop them into a jug with warm soapy water and clean them right away while the food is easily wiped away .  Damp wipe and dry the surface of the mixer and cord before safely tucking it away in a drawer. Remember you must never put any part of your handmixer in the dishwasher. The dishwasher isn’t the problem , but the dishwasher soap is much too strong for these delicate metal tools.

With all the numerous handmixers on the market you may find it a daunting task to select one that will do all the tasks you think it should. For those very light jobs you will want a mixer that is light and easy to handle and store. It should be easy to clean as well. Pay special attention to the cord length ,  You don’t want to have to bring your bowl to the mixer, you want to be able to take the mixer to the bowl. Now your little light handmixer probably won’t  do the mixing that you need to do for a carrot cake, so you need something a little heavier for that. If that’s the heaviest baking you are going to be doing you probably can get by with a medium weight hand held mixer. If you are thinking of mixing up cookie dough  though , you are going to need a more powerful model and maybe even a stand mixer.

Most people think they only have one handmixer.

That’s because they only count the electric model that whips and mixes when they plug the outlet into the wall. Here’s the real truth about handmixers. If you have wooden spoons they count as handmixers, if you have a wire whip, that counts as a handmixer, you might have an egg beater so  that counts as a handmixer. The point is there are many ways to mix things and many different tools we use in the activity of mixing. Some of the handmixers you may purchase today could conceivably do most of the jobs that your other hand mixer tools do. I ask you though, would you really dispose of your wire whip or  your wooden spoons. You may still use a fork to beat two eggs in a cup for that fresh country omelets. Electric handmixers are great, but they just don’t completely replace those faithful old wooden spoons.

I just baked these muffins. They are deliciously fruity with the pumpkin and raisin

while the spices add a special tang .

For best results read these little muffin tips before you start baking

Here are tips for turning out  the best of muffins :

• To get those nicely domed muffins, grease the baking cups on the bottoms and halfway up the sides.
• After adding the liquid mixture to the flour mixture, stir just until moistened
• If there isn’t enough batter to fill all the cups, fill the empty cups with water before baking to protect the pan.
• Once the batter is mixed, put the muffins in the preheated oven right away. Batters that use baking powder and baking soda need to be baked immediately so the leavening power is not lost.
• Muffins are done when their tops are golden.
• To prevent soggy muffins, cool them in the baking pan only as long as directed in the recipe.
• lift the muffins carefully from the pan with a soft utensil like a spatula
• To store muffins, cool completely. Place them in a plastic bag, seal, and store at room temperature for up to three days.
• Muffins freeze well for later use. Place them in freezer bags and freeze for up to three months.
• To reheat frozen muffins, wrap them in heavy foil. Heat them in a 300° F. oven for 12 to 15 minutes for 1-3/4 inch muffins; 15 to 18 minutes for 2-1/2 inch muffins; and 25 to 30 minutes for jumbo-size muffins.

Ingredients
2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) baking powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2 mL) ginger
1/2 tsp (2 mL) nutmeg
1 cup (250 mL) raisins
1 egg
1-3/4 cup (425 mL) pumpkin purée
1/3 cup (75 mL) vegetable oil
2 tbsp (25 mL) coarsely grated orange rind
1/2 cup (125 mL) orange juice

Note: this recipe is a basic pumpkin recipe and can be altered  by adding coconut ,  nuts or dates

Preparation:
1. In large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.

2. In a small pan place raisins and enough water to cover. Cook to a boil, drain and set aside to cool.

3. Stir cooled raisins into the flour mixture, coating them well.

4. In separate bowl with handmixer at high speed beat egg well.

5. Place hand mixer on medium speed; slowly blend in pumpkin, oil, orange rind and juice just until well mixed.

6. Pour all at once over dry ingredients

7. Mix on slow speed mixing just enough to blend.

8. Spoon into large greased or paper-lined muffin cups, filling to tops.

9. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for about 25 minutes or until golden and tops are firm to the touch.

10. Let stand for 5 minutes before removing from pans to cool on racks.

One of the nicest things about muffins is that they can be used in so many ways. They make a delicious breakfast food when served with fruit and yogurt.

Muffins as a desert can be frosted or topless filled with fresh fruit, custard or any number  of delicious fillings .

They also are especially nice when eaten warm with a spread of real butter.

Wake your family up to healthy muffins

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) whole wheat flour
2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
2 tsp (10 mL) cinnamon
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground ginger
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
2 eggs
1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
1 cup (250 mL) mashed very ripe bananas
2/3 cup (150 mL) plain Yogurt
1/3 cup (75 mL) vegetable oil
2 cups (500 mL) grated carrots, about 4
1 cup (250 mL) chopped dates or raisins
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped toasted pecans
12 pecans, halves

Preparation:
1. In large bowl, whisk together all-purpose and whole wheat flours, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger and salt.
2. In separate bowl using your handmixer on high speed mix together eggs, sugar, bananas, yogurt and oil;
3. Pour over dry ingredients. Sprinkle carrots, dates and chopped pecans; Using your hand mixer on slow to med speed mix until dry ingredients are moistened.
4. Spoon into prepared cups until heaping but not spilling over; press pecan half into top of each.
5. Bake in centre of 375°F (190°C) oven for about 30 minutes or until tester inserted in centre comes out clean.
6. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Transfer to rack; let cool completely.
7. (Make-ahead: Store in airtight container for up to 1 day or wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)
Now all that’s left to do is clean your handmixer and store it safely away for next time.

A Pyrex glass mixing bowl is the answer:

• Easy to clean
• Dishwasher safe
• No chemical leaching
• Fits your handmixers beaters
• No spatter deep bowl
• Stays in place while you mix

Not all mixing bowls are created equal though :

Here are some features of a 3 piece mixing bowl set :

• 1 quart, 1-1/2 quart and 2-1/2 quart size
• Pyrex glass wont leach odours or metallic tastes into food
• Safe for use in oven, microwave , freezer and dishwasher
• #2 in Amazon best sellers for bakeware
• Designed for function and style these hand bowls are most economic by the set .

Pyrex has been making glass products for the better part of a century –this company

Pioneered heat and cold resistant glassware, so when it comes to glass, they know what they speak of.

Glass is one of the best materials there is for mixing and storing food, because it doesn’t transfer odours or tastes to your food.

Go here to get you 3 pieces Pyrex mixing bowl set.

Handmixers reduce cooking time, and get rid of the toil that is commonly associated with kitchen tasks. Among other things, they are used to beat egg whites, whip cream, mash potatoes, and mix cake batter.

For heavier work, the heavyweight counterpart of hand mixers –the stand mixers–are preferred.

The hand mixer, as we know today, consists of three parts: beaters, a motorized unit, and an electrical cord.

The body of the hand mixer is commonly cased in plastic while the beaters are made of metal. It is the beaters that whip up a frenzy of action when they are submerged in the food ingredients.

TLC tips  for your Handmixer

1.    Purchase the correct mixer for the job you intend to do. Choosing the right hand mixer for the job is perhaps the most important step in keeping this appliance working properly.

2.    Read the product manual that comes with your mixer.

3.    Place your handmixer next to your baking station in its stand position ensuring that cords are not dangling, or near hot surfaces.( you do not want little hands pulling the mixer off the counter)

4.    Clean the beaters immediately after use. The best method is simply to agitate them in a bowl or cup of warm soapy water. Leave the beaters attached to the mixer, whirl through the soapy water until clean,

then rinse and air dry. Never put your beaters in the dishwasher, where they can get bent or rust over time.

5.    Wipe the handmixer clean after use with a warm soapy rag to loosen any batter from the surface. Do not scrub with a rough textured scrubber, it may scratch and damage the surface.

Never immerse your electric  mixer in water.

6.    Clean the vents around speed controls or near batter attachments with a dry brush to remove any flour or batter that may have entered them

7.    Wipe the electrical cord with a damp cloth then dry with a dry cloth to prevent moisture from sitting in crevices,

8.    Never unplug the mixer while it is running and never unplug by pulling on the cord.   Inspect the mixer after use to insure that it is in good electrical condition prior to its next use.

9.    Inspect the cord length checking for breaks or weak spots especially at plug end. Carefully coil the dry cord and secure with a stretch band. Do not wrap it around the mixer.

10.    Store your mixer together with the attachments in a handy place, perhaps next to your baking area.

With this type of care your handmixer will serve you well for many years in the future.