Always Save Room for Dessert

As many of you already know, Steve and I were given a Kitchenaid mixer for Christmas this year. My Grandma Marlys, who knows me all too well, has officially and single-handedly been able to cross something quite important off of my bucket list. Before you roll your eyes at me and scoff at how ridiculous this sounds, allow me to justify my sentiment about this wonderful appliance that is now in our home.

Many of my fondest memories as a young girl, a teen and now a grown up (if you can call me that!) were in the kitchen. While I feel fairly apt in the kitchen, I know my confidence has always exceeded my actual skill and this surely comes from my parent's consistent, overwhelming and gracious compliments of my culinary skill. Even when I ruined a meal or set a smoke detector off, it was a learning experience and nothing to fret about.

Example numero uno. Many years ago, I was entrusted with making the family pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. This is a large responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. Usually it goes just fine and dandy. Three years ago, I made 4 pies to stretch across both of our family's turkey tables. It was with horror that I realized right before they were served that this lady forgot to put the sugar in the pies. The SUGAR, people. I was so upset--Thanksgiving was surely ruined. My dad, who is the least picky eater I have ever known, quickly plopped a huge dollop of whipped cream on top of a slice and announced that it was actually pretty good with the sugary sweet Cool Whip to finish it off. Nice save, Dad.

Example numero dos. I couldn't have been more than 13 and we were in Minnesota for Christmas. It is Purdy family tradition to have Swedish meatballs for Christmas Eve dinner, a staple that is perfect every single year. I was helping my mom in my Grandma's kitchen as we bustled away getting everything ready. My Grandma allowed me to use her Kitchenaid (which I think she has owned since before I was born) and I started mixing away. Again...horror quickly struck when I realized that after putting all that ground beef in the mixer, I had failed to remove the thin paper that lines the bottom of meat packaging. It was finely torn to shreds, coating the raw beef mixture before me. Embarrassed, I told my Mom what happened and she grabbed the mixing bowl. pulled up a couple of chairs and painstakingly went through that batch with me until every last bit of paper was gone. It was a "thanks Mom for saving the day" moment and I'll never forget it.

So those are the mistakes. The things that we can all laugh about later. Moreover, there are plenty of good memories and perfectly cooked meals that were made with my parents in our kitchen, many of them using my Mom's Kitchenaid which has always been placed carefully and practically in her kitchen. Those Swedish meatballs I mentioned earlier are a heartbreaker. I loved those little slow cooked morsels of beefy goodness and think of it as one of the few things I truly miss since giving up meat. Even now, when preparing for a big dinner, it is a family event. Dad's usually the pro at prep work, Mom focuses on the stovetop, Erin tries her best (love you, sister), Steve and Ron are eager to volunteer their services as taste testers and me, frantic and unorganized--but also, completely comfortable and at ease.

Hopefully this gives the world a little insight into the madness within (especially when it comes to cooking) and why this gift is so important and was thought of with such love. Thank you, Gram for this wonderful addition to our home. We will love it as long as her little motor keeps purring! :)

The first treat I made with the mixer is a Pletkovich family favorite. The recipe belongs to my Aunt Mary and I know our bellies are thankful to her for sharing it! From our (now green) kitchen to yours!

My new child (she has yet to be named)

Black Bottom Cupcakes

For chocolate batter:
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup water
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla

For filling:
1-8 oz package cream cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
1-8 oz package of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with muffin tins or papers.

Add cream cheese, egg and sugar to mixer. Beat on medium speed until well mixed. Gently fold in chocolate chips by hand. Set aside.

Combine all batter ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Spoon chocolate batter into tins filling only half way.

Spoon a heaping teaspoon of cream cheese filling into the middle of each tin.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes in pan then remove and place on cooling rack. Enjoy slightly warm or at room temperature.