What previously manual techniques should I use a stand mixer for?
I recently added a KitchenAid to my kitchen on Valentine's day, so that's the source of my question.
I know plenty of things can be done by hand or with a stand mixer. But recipes don't always mention when it's an option. So what general manual techniques should I try using the stand mixer for instead? And if I do, are there any adjustments I'll commonly have to make, or can I just throw things in and let it go?
For instance, when making pie crust I used to just dice a stick of cold butter and slice that into 8 oz of flour adding water a drizzle at a time until I got the consistency I wanted, then I would roll that up into a ball. But it can also be done with the stand mixer. I was making pie crust for chicken pot pies, and halfway through I said... hey, that's why I got a KitchenAid. I just tossed the whole unfinished mess into the mixing bowl and let the flat beater do it's job at speed 1. It seemed to work just fine and I rolled out perfect crusts. But the recipe in the instruction book was different from my normal crust (more ingredients).
Best Answer
I use mine for anything that needs to be kept fairly cool, but doesn't necessarily need to be "cut" the way the blade of a food processor does. Anything that requires mixing meat, in particular. Burgers, meatloaf, etc. retain a better texture when the meat isn't warmed by your hands. Aside from those, we mix ground meat for jerky and meatballs in the mixer.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your mixer!
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What can you do with a standing mixer?
9 Helpful Ways to Put Your Stand Mixer to Work Regularly- Easily shred chicken breasts. ...
- Make pizza or bread dough. ...
- Whip your mashed potatoes into shape. ...
- Whip cream or churn butter. ...
- Whip those egg whites. ...
- Make your own ground beef or sausage. ...
- Make your own fresh pasta. ...
- Churn your own ice cream.
What are the three standard attachments to a mixer?
Most stand mixers will come with three standard attachments:- Flat beater or mixer blade The most common attachment. This attachment is for combining any mixture that has a normal to heavy consistency. ...
- Dough hook Suitable for kneading all kinds of dough and heavier pastries.
- Balloon whisk A large metal balloon whisk.
How do you make dough with a KitchenAid mixer?
How to Make Stand Mixer BreadHow Audio Mixers Work – What is a Mixer \u0026 What Does it Do? | Live Sound Lesson
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Answer 2
For the most part, you don't need to adjust your recipe.**
For breads that you typically have to knead for a very long time, however, I sometimes need to add a bit more flour. I assume this is to compensate for the lack of bench flour getting worked in while kneading. I also have to watch it fairly closely, as I've had too many times when the dough starts climbing out of the bowl as it's kneading.
** although, I've never tried pie crusts; I typically use a food processor for that, so it really 'cuts in' the butter.
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