Cooking for one, this is the perfect size. I would love to get a second :-)

I overwhelmingly recommend the 800XL version. If you cook for 1 or have a small household, this will become your replacement oven. The panel gives you more a ton of control options from toasting, baking, roasting, and utilizing the convection feature.

1. I got the Delonghi ice cream maker at Williams and Sonoma for $99 the year the new model came out.

2. At BrandSmartUSA, I picked up the 5.5 Qt. Cuisinart Stand Mixer for approximately $150. The funny thing about this purchase was I was going there to buy a small item and stumbled upon the deal.

I'm probably most proud of those deals as both of them are around $300 retail today.

If she has a small kitchen and primarily cooks for one, go with the Breville convection 800XL. It is the BEST kitchen appliance I ever purchased. Whenever I move into a house, I'll but a second one.

It works perfectly and doesn't require the same amount of energy or disperse the heat as a traditional oven. I bake more than I ever had.

FYI - For those interested, you can obtain the coking variety at Oriental Market (5001 Columbia Pike) for under $5.

H-Mart and Grand-Mart only carry the non-stock varieties (yuck)! I will check at the Oriental Supermarket. I finally found Shaoxing rice wine there. At the time, I didn't think to browse for a wok because I went there specifically for the rice wine. Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm about 18 months too late but Real Fast Food is an excellent culinary book. I have never truly read a cookbook before like a book. I think the lack of pictures made me focus on the the detail of the section preludes and each individual recipe.

Calling single-dwellers, non-cooks, great cooks and anything else in between: add this book to your collection.

Thanks. Are there any supply stores that are open to the public? I really am trying to reduce my Amazon/online orders to support local businesses. DC isn't make this an easy feat :(

No luck with Hmart Fairfax as of March 2013!

Can anyone recommend a restaurant supply store in the area? I'd prefer a location that is metro accessible but okay within the 495 loop. I'd love a place that sold (real) woks, wok rings, and no name brand cookware.

Thanks!

I've ordered more cookbooks in the last year than I could reasonably get through in a year (or two). That said, there are three must-have books sitting in my Amazon cart: ATK Cooking for Two 2013 and 2012, and the Flavor Bible; no more purchases this year after that.

I'm canceling TGC after I get Nigellaism. This cookbook ordering addiction is getting out of hand!!! I started an EYB account and now I have to start cooking through the collection of cookbooks I acquired.

Yesterday, I purchased Kitchen Diaries (Nigel) from the local bookstore. While I was there, I had a chance to thumb through Practical Paleo and Meatless (M. Stewart). I'm really excited about both books and will order both this week.

FYI - I know it seems old that I'm getting a paleo cookbook (meat centered) and a vegetarian based book. I am not vegan but desparately need to incorporate more plant-based meals into my diet. I was interested in the PP book as the author of shares a ton of nutritional information and 30-day meal calendars based on various health conditions.

Chinese Takeout CB may be added to my wish list :-)

DC: You should be ashamed. With a diverse Asian population and metropolitan population that enjoys Asian inspire dishes, why in the hell is it so hard to buy a carbon steel wok in this area. In a two day period, I frequented Chinatown, H-Mart Fairfax, and Eden Center and left each of these shopping districts empty handed. What really just drove a dagger in my heart was all the cheap, tacky coated cookware. Seriously, this can't be life!!!

I cannot believe that everyone is ordering their Woks online. Is there a secret password to obtain woks.

Do you jeopardize quality by using frozen shrimp?

Thanks for sharing!

Lusting after Slater's Kitchen Diaries I & II and Real Fast Food, Bill's Everyday Asian, ATK's Cooking for Two 2012 and the Flavor Bible. These will likely be a nice Christmas gift to myself.

TGC (impulse buy)

Kitchen Simple - Peterson
Flavor First -Forberg
Real Simple Easy, Delicious Home Cooking

Was anyone able to locate Shao Xing (authentic drinking variety) in NOVA or DC area?

For many years I hated thigh meat. It wasn't until I had to start paying for my own groceries (LOL) that I appreciated the value of the thigh (both in taste and pricing).

Generally no and I'll use less oil when cooking. However, if it's a glob of fat that may not cook down, then I'll cut it off.

I have had a hard time finding recommendations outside of Whole Foods and TJs. I would have expect the grocery shopping experience to be more robust in DC. I'm not a fan or Giant or Harris Teeter. Wegman's is in the burbs. OP, there is a Dean and Deluca in Georgetown.

A CSA may provide the best quality, but I do not have the space to accomodate. I'd love a recommendation for a good butcher, bakery and fishmonger between the Orange line (furthest west going to Ballston) or red heading towards Dupont Circle.

I'm trying to keep summer cooking simple. Today, I made my protein of the week from a CHOW recipe. For dinner, I prepared a baked, skinless chicken thigh accompanied with a baked sweet potato (half) and mushrooms and kelp noodles. The oven did most of the work with a minor contribution from me ;-)

Purchases from the most recent TGC sale - 4 books @ $9

1. Martha's American Food
I was hesitant about this purchase but after thumbing through it I have decided to keep it. It's a collection of cuisine favorites from different parts of the country that are generally simple to prepare.

2. Barefoot Contessa - Back to Basics
I just love her even though I probably will not be making many of those recipes for a while (cost of ingredients and cook time).

3. Vegetables, Revised
This was a bad purchase. Not a good fit for me. Probably will sell or gift it.

4. A Country Cook's Kitchen
This is an interesting read and has great pictures. I think I will keep to read/learn and probably gift it later.

1. Hardcover that lies flat or *covered* spiral binding
2. Semi-gloss pages with pictures close to recipes
3. iPad/Kindle/Nook bundles
4. bmorecupcake's suggestion of measurement listing

This may be picky but many cookbooks are written with the assumption of a family of 4 or 6. I'd like to see a footnote of the ingredients for 2 servings. For one, I'm single; two, I have a small kitchen. Yes, I know I could convert and no I do want to eat that same meal all week or freeze it. So it would be nice. :-)

One of the best threads ever!!! Thank you OP and mamachef!!!!!

I'm no longer a college student AND still on a budget. As I began to build a kitchen collection, I came to the same dilemma. I opted with the Cuisinart Stand Mixer, Cuisinart Spice Grinder, and a Swissmar Mandoline. Overall, I do not regret my choice.

This combination of equipment is easier to clean and serves the purpose of cooking for one. I could not justify the FP when I don't normally cook for a large group. However, if I can snag a quality FP at an amazing deal, I'll probably purchase it.

Given that you have the Vitamix too, I think you have adequate small appliance coverage.

Breakfast: crescents and bacon
Dinner: Chicken, mushroom and wild rice

I purchased the Kinetic GlassLock 10-pc set from BBB around 6 months ago.

1) I'd say it's easy to open and close but requires a little force because of the locking mechanisms.

2) I have not had anything leak (sauces). I have not put soup in the containser; therefore, I cannot comment.

3) Very easy storage and cleaning!

4) No problem from fridge to microwave. I do not put the lid in the microwave.

5) No material issues to date.

6) I have not experience any leaching odors with the glassware. Keep in mind that I have not kept food in in the containers for greater than two days. I also cover my food with a thin layer of wax paper before covering. I wash the glassware and lids immediately after use. BTW, the lids are BPA free.

Verdict: I love them. Will buy another set and pick up a few round pieces too!

Fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com
Lebovitz
The Kitchn

Yes, I purchased a similar set at BBB (bed, bath, & beyond)