The Woman FINALLY Got Her Blowtorch

So I must admit, my blog title has been a little bit, well, misleading.

Until now, that is.

As of last November I am now the proud owner of a BERNZOMATIC ST2200T. Sounds intense, doesn't it? Well, it is.

Last month, my friend Meghan (who, by the way, has her own food blog and it is FABULOUS...link below) and I went shopping. Now, not just your normal girl, giggle-filled, shopping adventure. Oh no, we had a mission.

Mission: Purchase Blowtorch.

We first went to Williams-Sonoma; the obvious choice, of course, by far. And to be honest, I was a little bit disappointed. I don't doubt for an instant that their blowtorch was great. It was just too expensive for a grad student and an unemployed historian.

Next, we went to Crate and Barrel, one of my personal faves. Now, C&B was more affordable, but we couldn't buy butane there, and well, I just decided from that point that I was going to get my blowtorch at a hardware store (a la Alton Brown style).

Our last stop of the day, Ace Hardware. I purchased a blowtorch and two canisters of butane for the same price as a Williams-Sonoma torch (w/o butane). Plus, it's called the BERNZOMATIC ST2200T. I like to call it Bernie. No judging.

I would encourage anyone to check their local hardware store first for purchasing a blowtorch. It's more affordable and is equipped with all the safety features you'd want and expect (plus, it comes with a soddering tip...SCORE).

Isn't Bernie beautiful?

Mission: ACCOMPLISHED.

I promise I'll put up good recipes soon! Currently, I am home, enjoying the holidays with the famiglia. But, as soon as I get back to Tucson I'll be sure to post some fun blowtorch-utilizing recipes.

In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy a few of my favorite holiday recipes, including my grandmother's famous fruitcake). Ok, I know what you're thinking. But seriously, this one's soaked in bourbon. It's fine.

And, as promisted, Meghan's blog (you don't want to miss this): http://chocolatteandtea.blogspot.com/