Do you use a sifter? Ours disappeared in our last move, so we use a mesh sieve instead whenever we really need to sift something. But sifters can be really handy when you want to thoroughly combine spices and flour, or make sure your powdered sugar is totally free of lumps. Here's one sifter that we really like the looks of.
We really like how this sifter measures the flour both before and after it's sifted. Some recipes are very precise about the measurements of pre- or post-sifted flour or powdered sugar, and this measuring cup sifter lets you see both. It has rave reviews on its product page, too, which is a good sign.
Do you use a sifter for your holiday baking?
• Find it: Progressive Measuring Flour Sifter, $12.98 at Macy's
Related: Survey: Do You Sift Your Flour?
(Image: Macy's)
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i stopped using a sieve as a sifter once i discovered that whisking flour works just as well and there is less mess.
I'm with chusmabilly. I'm too lazy to sift. I began whisking years ago and never looked back. Hooray for whisks!
That looks like an awesome shifter. I hate mine, so I've been looking for a new one.
Also -- not sure if that's a MS product. Looks like it may have been mis-categorized and is instead from Progressive.
Ah - you're right. Fixed.
I used to not sift but do as of recently. I used either a mesh sieve or a metal traditional four sifter. I don't do it so much to incorporate all the dry ingredients as i do to get lumps out and aerate the dry stuff so it mixes better.
Sifting: a step I proudly skip each and every time, with delicious results.
Silly me - of course whisking would work.
Out goes my sifter!
Whisking!! Lightbulb moment. Merci.
Whisking? Fantastic! I already love and use my whisk loads. I've been contemplating buying a sifter lately (my mom never sifted and I've never sifted before). This will save me $$$ and space in my kitchen!
I also just use a wire mesh strainer (if I'm feeling fancy) or a whisk (if I'm not).
No, I also use a hand-held metal mesh strainer. I can also sift a lot more dry ingredients at once since it's bigger/wider than a traditional sifter. And of course, I use it to rinse produce and drain pasta. It cost me about $2. Multipurpose kitchen tool FTW!
When I'm doing a cake that needs really precise measurements, I sift the flour before measuring (otherwise you tend to use too much). (Of course I do the whisking thing for less picky recipes.) I may splurge on this. It looks easier than sifting into a measuring cup on top of a piece of waxed paper.
Nah, I just use the sieve too. (Though, I really don't use it for anything else... it's too hard to clean for pasta and other stuff.) There are times when whisking just doesn't work, like to dust powdered sugar.
I've had a NorPro battery operated flour sifter for years and I love it!
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-140-Battery-Operated-Sifter/dp/B000JWLO6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1259034041&sr=8-1
If I just need a small amount I grab a whisk or tea strainer.
how fantastic, I randomly started whisking a bit ago, and it works great!
Joan A. - Can't you sift over a bowl and then measure?
I've never thought to use a whisk. I don't know if I'd be able to trust it - I'd be too scared of stray lumps finding their way in. Especially with baking soda.
I use a wire mesh sieve. I had a flour sifter once and it completely fell apart. Never bothered since - the sieve works fine and won't break unless I really try!
Except once, working in a kitchen I cut myself on a broken sieve.
If you sift over a bowl and then scoop it out again to measure, you're compressing the flour back down. Though I suppose I could put a measuring cup in a bowl and sift into it, then level it off with a knife. And then pour the rest of the flour back into the container (which is where using waxed paper works really well). As I said, I do this only for the pickiest of recipes.
It looks like the sifter above may be at Bed Bath & Beyond as well; I think I'll head in there and look at it in person first.
I *love* sifting. I realize I'm in the minority, and that most people gladly skip this step (my own mother balked at the idea when I asked for a sifter for Christmas a few years back). That said, if I didn't like sifting, the whisk idea, or just not sifting at all, sound like great options.
I had a sifter very much like that one pictured and it was such a PITA. You had to screw several parts together to use it. I dropped it on the floor and the plastic cracked. I got rid of it when I moved.
I have the thingy above, and I find it quite good in that it holds about the right amount of flour and dry ingredients for a cake, so I dont need an extra bowl for them, but I find I end up pushing the last bit through with a scraper.