How to Use Your Kitchenaid Mixer and Attachments

Bruce Aidells's Complete Sausage Book : Recipes from America's Premium Sausage Maker

by: Bruce Aidells, Denis Kelly

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 06/02/2012)

I don't normally quote reviews, but this one is irresistible. A customer says, "...[T]he sausages were incredible. I practically ate the first batch of Italian sausage all of 3.5 lbs by myself.

I had the hardest time sharing it with my kids who stared at me drooling with those puppy eyes begging to have a taste of what Mama was eating. And when I have to use these sausages for a pasta dish for some visiting friends, I actually regretted inviting them over since I wanted to eat the sausages myself. That bad..and that good!!"

The book is well-written, with recipes that are easy to follow (and tweak - I love tweaking). Recipes include bratwurst, cajun andouille, sausage with apples. There are American recipes with international influences (Asian, German, and Spanish) and then recipes that include sausage (for breakfast, in soups, and in pasta.

The Mixer Bible: Over 300 Recipes for Your Stand Mixer

by: Meredith Deeds, Carla Snyder

Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 06/02/2012)

Now that you've got all those cool new Kitchenaid attachments (or even before), you'll want to know how to use them. This book is packed with recipes for everything from appetizers to sausages, to desserts. There's potato and cheese pierogies, orange and chocolate chip bundt cake, spinach and garlic dip, tomato and rice soup with basil, and well, I think I better stop now. Otherwise, I'm liable to jump through the computer to get the book.

KitchenAid FPPA Mixer Attachment Pack for Stand Mixers

Amazon Price: $119.00 (as of 06/02/2012)

Grind your own meat (no additives or fillers), shred cheese, or cut carrots in waffle-shapes, or make your own perfect cole slaw.

This set comes with five pieces: the meat grinder (which has two settings, coarse and fine), a slicer, a shredder, and a fruit and vegetable strainer.

Get a deal on meat at the market, take it home, grind your own burgers, and freeze them for later use. The slicer and shredder make short work of cheese, carrots, and potatoes. Use the strainer for applesauce, pasta sauce, or your own salsa. Reviewer "worker bee" said it did such a good job on her sauce, she got an extra quart out of the recipe.

KitchenAid FGA Food Grinder Attachment for Stand Mixers

Amazon Price: $47.50 (as of 06/02/2012)

This is great for grinding your own bread crumbs, grated hard cheese, or meat. Grinding your own meat is cheaper than buying it pre-ground. Plus, you know exactly what's in it, and where it came from.

I use it to grind my own turkey and beef for meatballs, "unstuffed cabbage" (I layer it like lasagna, instead of making rolls), and burgers. It includes two grinding plates, one fine and one coarse. Both store right inside the grinder, so you won't lose them.

Some reviewers said they found grease on the grinder when they bought it. I looked, saw a bit of it, and thoroughly cleaned it off. No problem, and nothing weird in the food.