Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook That Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and The... (22 page)

  
Food Processor:
What did we do before this labor-saving device made its way into our kitchens? For slicing, grating, chopping, mixing and blending, the food processor is invaluable, allowing us to prepare traditional dishes that once required extensive hand labor—chopping parsley for tabouli, grinding chickpeas for hummus, making a julienne of vegetables, processing perfect mayonnaise. The food processor handles these prosaic chores with ease. Choose one that comes with a variety of blades and an attachment that allows you to add oils drop by drop—essential for making mayonnaise and pesto sauce.

  
Stainless Steel Baking Pans and Cookie Sheets:
These are made by Enko and are available at some cookware stores, at a cost not much greater than the aluminum and coated varieties. (See
Sources
.)

  
Handheld Mixer:
This is a handy gadget to have if you do any baking, but a wire whisk and a little muscle power will accomplish the same tasks.

  
Grain Mill:
If you bake frequently, you will want to buy a grain mill. This allows you to have fresh flour when you need it. (Whole grain flour quickly goes rancid after grinding.) A small hand mill can be bought for about $100. Motor-driven mills are more expensive, but serious cooks will find that they are worth it. The grinding surface should be true stone and not a synthetic version. A good choice is the Jupiter mill, manufactured in Germany. (See
Sources
.) The grinding surface is hard granite and it has adjustable settings, which allow you to both crack grains and grind them into fine flour. A stainless steel milling attachment allows you to grind oily seeds and sprouted grains.

  
Grain Roller:
If you want rolled oats and rye flakes that are absolutely fresh, a grain roller will do the job. (See
Sources
.)

  
Corn Mill:
The Jupiter mill will grind corn kernels with a little coaxing, but corn bread aficionados may wish to obtain a mill designed specifically for corn. (See
Sources
.)

  
Mini Mill:
This is useful for grinding spices and flax seeds.

  
Ice Cream Maker:
Modern ice cream makers, with quart-sized containers that are stored in the freezer, eliminate the need for ice and salt and make ice cream making a breeze.

  
Food Mill:
This is an inexpensive gadget useful for blending apple sauce and several soups and sauces that require the removal of skins. Highly recommended is the French
Moulin a Legumes
, with a removable blade. Less satisfactory is the Foley Food Mill, an American version.

  
Stoneware:
Stoneware muffin tins and bread pans give very satisfactory results for the soaked flour recipes in this book.

  
Juicer:
A juicer is needed for several beverage recipes. Many food processors come with juicer attachments.

  
Popcorn Maker:
An electric popcorn maker allows children to prepare this nutritious snack by themselves. (Store bought popped popcorn is not only rancid—it is loaded with commercial salt and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.)