What else can you use your machines for?

[annachan]

I walked by a crepe stand at the farmers' market the other day and made me think of my crepe maker. I thought it would be nice to use curry as a filling as I glanced at the Indian food stand. Then I thought, can I make dosa on my crepe maker? I haven't tried it yet but it seems to be a good idea. Any thoughts?

Then I thought about making my own dumplings (Chinese dumplings). I don't care for the package wrappers but I really don't care to use a rolling pin to roll out dough. I have been thinking of getting a pasta machine and wonder if I can roll out dough for dumplings with it. Anyone tried?

Anyone out there use their gadgets for purposed other than what they're intended for?

[runwestierun]

I use my pasta roller to roll very thin cracker and cookie dough. I use my pasta extruder to shape unleavened bread dough to decorate the top of holiday loaves of bread. I roast big batches of peppers in the fall in a grill basket with a weed burner. I guess a weed burner isn't really a kitchen gadget.

[annachan]

I use my pasta roller to roll very thin cracker and cookie dough. I use my pasta extruder to shape unleavened bread dough to decorate the top of holiday loaves of bread. I roast big batches of peppers in the fall in a grill basket with a weed burner. I guess a weed burner isn't really a kitchen gadget.

Great ideas! Another reason to get a pasta roller!

[Lisa Shock]

The pasta roller is useful in rolling out fondant for cake decorations.

[Edward J]

Sausage stuffer for extruding logs of cookie dough.

Dough sheeter for rolling out caramel, marzipan, fondant etc.

Electric blankets as chocolate warmers/melters

[lesliec]

Juicer (masticating, not centrifugal!) for stuffing sausages.

Not terribly successful, but rather better than using a finger ...

[David A. Goldfarb]

The milk steamer on the espresso machine not only makes frothy milk for cappuccino and excellent hot cocoa (just combine cocoa, sugar and milk in a cup and steam), but is useful for quickly bringing a pot of milk up to a near boil for things like oatmeal as well, before adding oats and transferring the pot to the stove.

Edited January 31, 2011 by David A. Goldfarb (log)

[janeer]

I have been thinking of getting a pasta machine and wonder if I can roll out dough for dumplings with it. Anyone tried?

Wonder if you could use a tortilla press, too.

I use a heating pad when I make yogurt. Garlic press for extruding dough for cookie decorations (great Santa beard).

There are some classics: glasses as biscuit cutters, rolling pins for crushing nuts, dried bread or crackers into crumbs, Braun coffee grinder for small amounts of nuts and spices, etc.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Lacking a tortilla press, I use a heavy skillet and two pieces of plastic wrap. I do have a hand-cranked pasta machine, but I think tortilla dough would be too soft to make it through in one piece.

[annachan]

I have been thinking of getting a pasta machine and wonder if I can roll out dough for dumplings with it. Anyone tried?

Wonder if you could use a tortilla press, too.

Tortilla press....interesting! Wonder if I can find one around here and how much they go for? I should have gotten one while in the US and sent it over with my shipment....

[janeer]

I have been thinking of getting a pasta machine and wonder if I can roll out dough for dumplings with it. Anyone tried?

Wonder if you could use a tortilla press, too.

Tortilla press....interesting! Wonder if I can find one around here and how much they go for? I should have gotten one while in the US and sent it over with my shipment....

they are cheap, around $20, and you should be able to order one online, I would think

[Snadra]

I have been thinking of getting a pasta machine and wonder if I can roll out dough for dumplings with it. Anyone tried?

Wonder if you could use a tortilla press, too.

Tortilla press....interesting! Wonder if I can find one around here and how much they go for? I should have gotten one while in the US and sent it over with my shipment....

Fireworks Foods sell them - $21.95 each.

I've used my pasta roller for making flatbreads more than pasta. This one works especially well, and makes lovely long flatbreads that look just like the ones that cost $13 for a small pack at DJs Food Hall. I've experimented with a yeasted crispbread as well, but it's not quite as successful. I plan on trying a scandanavian rye cracker soon and might get out the roller for that as well. This could be related to my lousy dough rolling skills...

I've also seen a recipe for a sort of polish crostoli which recommends using a pasta roller.

A Le Crueset frying pan has been used as an ersatz baking stone too - I got the idea from the NYTimes no-knead bread. I use parchement, and usually remember to remove the paper after the dough has set.