I've been thinking about kitchens, {{contact.first_name}}

Hi again ,

Kitchens have changed a lot, even in my lifetime. So, , what appliances do you want (or need!)?

When I was young, we had a wood stove for cooking. It was tricky getting the temperature right for cooking and baking, but we (mainly Mum) managed. It was also a lot of work to cut wood (Dad's job), stack it (our job 😑) and then bring it to the back door.

Despite all the work (getting wood AND keeping the fire alight), I think that was the best way to cook. The food tasted soooo good 😋.

In the end we changed to an electric oven.

I've never owned a microwave oven. Our family got one when they first became popular. It was amazing how quickly they cooked something! 

The texture of cakes cooked in the microwave was different to cakes cooked in a 'normal' oven. And in my opinion, the food never tasted as good - maybe because it's cooked fast and so the flavours don't have time to develop.

However, microwave ovens are great for heating up food that's already cooked!

As I don't drink hot drinks, my electric kettle didn't get used much. And for me a coffee machine is totally unnecessary!

The only other electric device I used was a little hand mixer. When I baked, I usually mixed my cakes or biscuits (1) using a spoon. But I had a couple of favourite recipes (2) where I needed to use a mixer. 

Some people have a big mixer that includes a bowl. You can start it and walk away. I didn't. Mine was a little one you held in your hand. When I used it, I had to stand there and hold it. But that was OK. It was great for what I used it for.



Some people (like my sister) have a Thermomix. They love how the machine does everything for you. But I don't like that. I enjoy doing all the things to prepare a meal or bake. However, I understand, everyone is different.

How about you, ? What are the kitchen things that you just have to have? Is a coffee machine a 'must' for you? As always, feel free to reply and tell me.

Happy cooking!

Andrea

(1) biscuit - the British word for 'cookie' (cookie is more an American word)

(2) recipe - the document with ingredients and instructions for preparing food of some kind (say it with three parts: 're-se-pe')