While talking about our blogs over coffee this week I dared to ask two friends of mine, if they had “gadgets in their kitchen.” The question was met with laughter especially when it came to the question of Rice Cookers. One of the gals said that it was instant rice all the way at her house. The other said “we don’t eat rice” then proceeded to share about those bags of rice that cook up when you add water. Did you know those things can and do explode in the microwave? (smile) I personally love my rice cooker. That is one gadget I will not part with.

On a recent trip to the local Thrift store here are some of the homeless gadgets I found.

The Wok:
A good quality sauté pan works just as well.

Bread Maker:
Although the smell of fresh bread is nice, how many times did you really use it?

Microwave Omelet Pan:
Really? 
The only way to fail at making an omelet is to end up with fried eggs. The key is to have a good quality pan and use it only for making omelets.

The Microwave Bacon Rack:
I tried this gadget once and thought I was chewing on shoe leather.
Bacon can be placed on parchment paper, laid out on a baking sheet/with and edge.
Bake at 400 degrees until crispy. (It takes off the mess off the stove top.)

Last but not least the newest gadget I saw was the Five Mini Slider Pan. Maybe you haven’t seen it on the market yet. Basically they are tiny hamburgers that are all the same size. They cleverly market them as “sliders or minis.”  I have seen them priced from $15-30.00. This particular one was $8.00. To me it is a waste of money. Get a large ice-cream scooper. Make up your favorite meatloaf recipe or burger mix and scoop away. Flatten them out a bit and grill those babies up. You can make them up and freeze them ahead for a quick meal one night.

What gadgets do you have that you simply won’t part with?

What gadgets are you ready to make homeless?

Time for a Change?

How many times have you walked into your kitchen and thought “if there was more room I would be able to cook.” Over my years as a chef, I have accumulated lots of “kitchen gadgets.”  Some are priceless and others should never have left the shelf.  But like many of you, I am intrigued with gadgets. They have this way of drawing us in, with claims to “save money, time and ease preparation.” If this was truly the case, I would be the first to stand in line for any of those items. As a new Chef, I jumped on the gadget bandwagon but when the novelty wore off, it just took up space. As I began a family, my cooking style changed.  Honestly how long was I going to make my own pasta, while tending to three small children, a full time job and run a house? It became time to put away gadgets and get back to basics.

So ladies “Are You Ready For a Change?”

Change requires action. Action can make you uncomfortable and grumpy. So I would suggest you think long and hard, maybe even solicit your childrens help.

Clean out your cabinets
As you start to clean out your cabinets, ask the following questions.
When you finish you will have a pile to keep and a pile to get rid of.

Ready, Set ………Go- You can do this

1)    What is it? If you don’t know, this should be the first clue you should not be in possession of it.

2)    When was the last time you used it? How many times a year do you use it? Is it possible to use it more often to simplify more tasks?

3)    Do you have duplicate items, if so, is it necessary? Can you get rid of one?

4)    If you come across an item that you are not sure you can part with, try putting it aside for 30 days. If after 30 days if you didn’t need it, get it out of your kitchen.

*While you separate items: try to group like things together. Like extra silverware, place them in plastic wrap as a complete setting, (knife, spoon, and fork)

*Odd sets of plates, bowls, cups and mugs:  Get rid of those you don’t use.

Keep only good plastic storage items! Trash the rest.

I think that is enough for one lesson. Don’t let this be a long drawn out process. Do it one evening or over the weekend, because it can get to be a very messy project.

Don’t get pulled back into the call of the gadgets.