...since I last updated, but there really hasn't been a whole lot to update about. I've been keeping myself immersed in some video games, notably The Legend of Zelda, Windwaker HD, Pokemon X, and The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time 3D. To be honest, I've temporarily abandoned my MapleStory addiction, for other, more interesting console games. For the time being.
For the sake of adding some new information/happenings however, I would like to say that I finally tried one recent cooking-related purchase, and it has been AWESOME! I absolutely LOVE it! It's called a Wonderbag, costs $50, and can replace your crock pot/slow cooker! The concept behind it is super-simple, and it works amazingly well!
Basically, you take a short-handled stock pot, up to 9 quart size, and put everything together in it. Boil the contents for 15-20 minutes at a full rolling boil with a lid on, then place the entire setup in the Wonderbag, and seal it up. It keeps it super hot and cooking for up to 12 hours!
I decided to test it with a roast, and I was absolutely amazed! In a 7 quart stainless steel stock pot, I put 2lbs of cut up, peeled carrots, several washed and sliced potatoes (I like to leave the skin on!), several rings from a yellow onion, some cliantro, salt, pepper, 3 stalks of chunked up celery, and some Nature's Season seasoning blend. I then took a 5.5lb roast, browned each side in a skillet, and put it in the pot, then put enough water to cover everything. I brought it to a rolling boil for 15 minutes (it comes with a guide AND a recipe booklet that tells you how long to boil depending on what you're cooking - boneless meats, bone-in meats, etc) and put it in the bag. It was super easy to seal, and while I had my doubts, when I took it out 8 hours later, the broth was still steaming! That was probably the most tender, succulent crock pot roast I've ever had, and my entire family agreed, it was delicious!
What I really love about this bag though, is the fact that except for the initial few minutes of boiling, it uses absolutely no electricity. When I started the roast, we were just getting the beginnings of a really bad snowstorm, and there were warnings that many places might lose power. That was one reason I chose that day to try it: if it worked properly, and the power went out, at least we'd have a hot supper! They also donate a bag to a family in Africa, where most food ends up ruined due to being cooked on an open flame, where temperature can't be regulated. It helps cut down wasted food and still ensures families are able to have a fully-cooked, hot meal.
There was a recommendation that you put a silicone trivet/hot pad in the bottom, which I did. It was all of about an extra $2.50 at Kitchen Collections in my local mall, and it was nice to be able to know I could set the bag anywhere I wanted, and not worry about the heat on the bottom damaging the surface, though I think it's likely insulated enough it wouldn't anyway. For those who have small children and are worried about them getting too curious: don't. If they touch ANY part of the outside of the bag, it never gets hot enough to feel anything more than warm.
I have to say, they certainly named it appropriately, calling it a Wonderbag, because it definitely is a wonder! If you're considering getting one, I highly recommend it. I have links to it throughout this article, and it is available through Amazon, for just $50. When you consider that, with regular use, you'll conserve that in electricity in no time, and it should last for many, many years, it just seems like an obvious choice! :)
If you're a frequent Amazon shopper, I also recommend trying their Amazon Prime offer: 30 days free of their Amazon Prime service, which includes free 2-day shipping on most items, and a whole host of various other perks, including free access to Amazon Video!
For the sake of adding some new information/happenings however, I would like to say that I finally tried one recent cooking-related purchase, and it has been AWESOME! I absolutely LOVE it! It's called a Wonderbag, costs $50, and can replace your crock pot/slow cooker! The concept behind it is super-simple, and it works amazingly well!
Basically, you take a short-handled stock pot, up to 9 quart size, and put everything together in it. Boil the contents for 15-20 minutes at a full rolling boil with a lid on, then place the entire setup in the Wonderbag, and seal it up. It keeps it super hot and cooking for up to 12 hours!
I decided to test it with a roast, and I was absolutely amazed! In a 7 quart stainless steel stock pot, I put 2lbs of cut up, peeled carrots, several washed and sliced potatoes (I like to leave the skin on!), several rings from a yellow onion, some cliantro, salt, pepper, 3 stalks of chunked up celery, and some Nature's Season seasoning blend. I then took a 5.5lb roast, browned each side in a skillet, and put it in the pot, then put enough water to cover everything. I brought it to a rolling boil for 15 minutes (it comes with a guide AND a recipe booklet that tells you how long to boil depending on what you're cooking - boneless meats, bone-in meats, etc) and put it in the bag. It was super easy to seal, and while I had my doubts, when I took it out 8 hours later, the broth was still steaming! That was probably the most tender, succulent crock pot roast I've ever had, and my entire family agreed, it was delicious!
What I really love about this bag though, is the fact that except for the initial few minutes of boiling, it uses absolutely no electricity. When I started the roast, we were just getting the beginnings of a really bad snowstorm, and there were warnings that many places might lose power. That was one reason I chose that day to try it: if it worked properly, and the power went out, at least we'd have a hot supper! They also donate a bag to a family in Africa, where most food ends up ruined due to being cooked on an open flame, where temperature can't be regulated. It helps cut down wasted food and still ensures families are able to have a fully-cooked, hot meal.
There was a recommendation that you put a silicone trivet/hot pad in the bottom, which I did. It was all of about an extra $2.50 at Kitchen Collections in my local mall, and it was nice to be able to know I could set the bag anywhere I wanted, and not worry about the heat on the bottom damaging the surface, though I think it's likely insulated enough it wouldn't anyway. For those who have small children and are worried about them getting too curious: don't. If they touch ANY part of the outside of the bag, it never gets hot enough to feel anything more than warm.
I have to say, they certainly named it appropriately, calling it a Wonderbag, because it definitely is a wonder! If you're considering getting one, I highly recommend it. I have links to it throughout this article, and it is available through Amazon, for just $50. When you consider that, with regular use, you'll conserve that in electricity in no time, and it should last for many, many years, it just seems like an obvious choice! :)
If you're a frequent Amazon shopper, I also recommend trying their Amazon Prime offer: 30 days free of their Amazon Prime service, which includes free 2-day shipping on most items, and a whole host of various other perks, including free access to Amazon Video!