GoKawiilI’ve been an avid cook and baker since childhood and have heard only great things about the KitchenAid stand mixer, but I spent decades believing I didn’t need one. Why purchase a device that costs hundreds of dollars when I have an entire set of kitchen tools, plus my hands, for mixing, whisking and kneading?
But last year, I reached a point of cooking and baking fatigue. And I’ll admit it: I was swayed by watching videos of my favorite chefs and food content creators effortlessly making delicious desserts and more with their KitchenAid mixers. So my partner and I combined our holiday gift cards and purchased a five-quart, tilt-head KitchenAid Artisan Series in the dreamy almond cream color.
I can admit when I’m wrong, and I was wrong about a KitchenAid stand mixer not being worth the cost -- especially because I’ve learned that it’s not just for baking. In fact, there are many surprising foods you can make in your KitchenAid mixer to take some effort out of your time in the kitchen.
1. Chicken salad
The idea for this article came to me when I saw TikTok creator Jenna Denise use their KitchenAid mixer to shred chicken for chicken salad. Even though I’m a vegetarian, I did the same with Quorn’s Meatless Diced ChiQin Pieces, and it worked perfectly. After shredding the "chicken" with the included coated flat beater, I added the remaining ingredients and had the KitchenAid mix the entire salad.
Along with shredding chicken on its own, you can use your stand mixer to make chicken salad. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
2. Egg salad
Once I successfully made vegan chicken salad in my KitchenAid mixer, that got me thinking: What about egg salad? Turns out, it works just as well. I simply peel boiled eggs, add them to the mixer, use the flat beater to mash them and then add the rest of the ingredients for a delicious, effortless egg salad.
3. Butter
Using the wire whisk, I whipped 4 cups of heavy cream to make butter in my KitchenAid mixer. Bonus: Once you have your butter, use the flat beater to add different flavors, such as cinnamon and sugar or garlic and herbs.
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