Lesson Learned. No More Silicone in the Kitchen.

     When I was making soap at home, I bought quite a few silicone molds because I found them easier to work with in the kitchen, and they stood up to the heat. I found that Amazon sold them for a wide range of uses, including cupcakes, cakes, loaves, and more. I ditched my Pyrex and metal pans and replaced them with silicone. I regret that.

    Today, because I can, I made a really good hearty meatloaf for dinner, but I cooked it in a silicone loaf pan, and yeah...not going to do that again. It took much longer to cook, and it turned out a lot softer than usual. I will admit, I did mix an 80/20 and a 90/10 hamburger source, with a pound being 90/10 and 1/2 a pound being 80/20. That could have been a factor, but I'm blaming the silicone anyway. I don't like it.

    I had to stop using them when I made cupcakes, too. They never rose above the level of the pan, and they felt different; they were spongy or something. I blamed the brand of my mix, but now I'm thinking no, it's the pans. I'm going back to Pyrex and the standards that have always been my best friends in the kitchen. Goodbye modern menaces! It's back to the basics for me. (AND...the dang thing melted a little on the bottom! It's supposed to withstand heat!)

    The meatloaf turned out well otherwise. It has a really good taste to it, just not as firm as I wanted. I usually let it sit for 10-15 minutes after pulling it out of the pan, but when I tried to pick it up, it fell apart, so I'm not happy. It tasted really good, and I was happy to share it with the dogs (a little bit) along with mashed potatoes and crescent rolls. I should have made gravy, but I was upset about the loaf...see how affected I was? It's a terrible thing to mess with a woman's standards in the kitchen.

    I also bought a silicone colander, but I don't like it either. It's the type that pops out, not one that retains its original shape. This one punches down, folds up, and then you open it, pop it out to use, and put it back. Nah...done. I'm going back to the old-fashioned, cheap white plastic one I had once; I think I'll be visiting Dollar General soon. I tried looking these things up on Amazon and realized I could save at least 40-50% by going to the one store that I can never get out of easily -- it grabs me and forces me to search every single aisle when I go into it.

    I'll be OK. I know what I know, and to be honest, I knew better, but you try things, and you learn things. I hope I don't have to learn that one again - If I had my old Pyrex, the one I had for 30 years, things would be fine. I think it just got the best of me because I couldn't get all the dark stains out of the corners and the little handles. It wasn't pretty anymore. Well, I'd rather have good-tasting and good-looking food than pretty Pyrex...that may just be me, but I somehow doubt it.

    It's raining, or I'd head over to the Dollar General right now. I'll wait. I have enough meatloaf to last two more days anyway. Then again, I can't make the banana bread until I get a new loaf pan. I could make a trip after I do the dishes. You just never know.

    

Photo Credit: Walmart.com