Why am I willing to pay so much for Rancho Gordo beans?

I love tomato paste in a tube. (Yes, I’m weird that way).

I love this Oxo mini silicone whisk

Looking for Instant Pot related holiday gifts? Look no further!

Look what was waiting on the front step when I got home – my Instant Pot Max! They’re in stock at Amazon with immediate shipping. (Much to my surprise. I didn’t know it was coming until I opened the box; I missed Amazon’s “we’re shipping” email on Sunday.) From my couple of minutes with the Max: It doesn’t have the twitchy knob that the Ultra (hooray!). It feels substantial, with heavier weight and higher build quality. And…that’s all I’ve got in the few minutes I’ve played with it. More to come once I’ve had time to put it through its paces, but for now…my new toy is here. Whee!

Remember a few weeks ago, when I was complaining about the missing Instant Pot Max? Guess what – it’s coming! The Max is available for pre-order at Amazon (Instant Pot Max at Amazon.com link) and Williams-Sonoma. (I’m an Amazon affiliate, so if you use the Amazon link, I get a a small commission, and thanks). Amazon isn’t giving any hints about the release date; Williams-Sonoma says my order is backordered, with an expected delivery date of December 14th. Hopefully, it’s an early Christmas Present for myself. Now, Is the Max worth its $199 price? Not really, when the Instant Pot Duo Plus costs only $129 (and even less on sale – hold out for Black Friday if cost matters.) I don’t think the Max Pressure is going to change the Instant Pot experience much. But, oh, the Max looks so good. I wants it, I needs it, my preciousssss…ahem. I meant to say: if you love your Instant Pot and want the top of the line model (like I do), then the Max is almost here! …

A new toy, the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8 Quart

Life has been coming at me fast, so I don’t have a big cooking thought to share. Or even a medium-sized one. So, here’s something I love… “Did you get the a new bean box?” My bean-loving son It’s bean box day! I shout my love for pressure cooker beans from the rooftops. Beans are one of the reasons I became a pressure cooker convert; dried beans are so much better than canned, and pressure cooking is quick. I can use dried beans in my day-to-day cooking, without having to plan a day ahead. Rancho Gordo grows the best beans I’ve ever had. I heard about them on the Internet years ago, and could not get over the price…until my wife brought me back a few bags from a business trip to San Francisco. (Rancho Gordo is in the Ferry Market Building in downtown SF.) And, oh, my, what beans they were. Why are they so good? I think they are fresher than the beans I get in the store. (Even the organic beans from the …

Get your %@#$ together with your @#$%$#@ing Meez -Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential Mis En Place – from the French “Everything in its place” – is how professional chefs think about their work. They have to have Mis En Place – shortened to Meez in the hustle of a restaurant kitchen. To serve hundreds of meals a night, everyone needs their prep work done, and to know exactly where it is at all times. “Get your Meez together”…usually punctuated with a few choice words…means that you’re not ready, that you’re falling behind. Meez is a great idea in home kitchens, too. Now, I don’t go as far as professional chefs. I’m only cooking a few dishes at once, and I can multitask my onion chopping while the meat browns, and make the salad dressing while the pasta boils – but I can feel the difference once I have everything prepped and ready to cook. Everything slows down, and all I have to do is cook. That’s when I can relax, and enjoy the process. (Unless I’m …

1-Day Amazon sale on the Instant Pot Duo 6 Quart