Archive for July, 2009
Sometimes the vinyl placemats we use on our kitchen tables or counters enhance the decor. Mostly they just make cleaning up a whole lot easier.
Fortunately the variety of colors and designs increases the possibility of matching any kitchens surroundings. Unfortunately with so many vinyl placemats to choose from, the selection is bound to take longer.
Recipes that are handed down from generation to generation survive because they work. The slightest alteration can affect the integrity of the dish in dramatic ways. Sometimes if we’re lucky, we can actually make the recipe even better.
What we never want whether experimenting, or simply recreating an historic masterpeice is cookware that can interact with the food. True nonporous stainless steel cookware will never alter the taste of your food which is why it is trusted in the greatest kitchens.
My girls have inherited all of my old shirts which they wear as smocks for painting. What they need are kitchen aprons when they help out with the baking and mixing. Surprisingly even at a young age wiping our hands across ourselves just comes naturally.
When a young cook graduates from flour to tomato sauce their clothes need the protection of an apron to survive. The nice thing about aprons is the smaller the chef, the greater the area of protection.
Engineers are a remarkable group of people that have made living in the 21st century more convenient through innovation and creativity. In the kitchen we find evidence of their efforts in appliance design and function, also in the advances in ordinary cookware. From the materials used to ensure even heat distribution, to non-stick surfaces and even more subtle features , we’re offered convenience and safety in our cooking environment.
One of my favorite cookware features is the locking lid with a drain that allows me to keep pasta or vegetables in the pot warm and ready for mixing a special sauce. No more losing noodles down the drain through the strainer, or overheating my knuckles with steam.
Finding the right decor for any kitchen begins with a theme. When the theme is country the possibilities abound. To truly capture the essence, country kitchen accessories are of great importance.
We can detail our kitchen to capture a lake setting, a wooded forest or even a ranch. The country kitchen accessories can even help us change with the seasons. Both the colors and styles of accessories can lend to that specific look we’re going for.
When a set of stainless steel flatware is as elegant as it is versatile, we feel comfortable keeping them on hand no matter what the occasion. Keeping in mind we’ll always have to clean up later, we trust the dishwasher will restore them to that unmistakable luster.
For something that is used as often as our everyday flatware, sturdiness becomes the standard. The sturdier the set, the more confident we are that none of the forks will be bent or misshapen.
As a house warming gift, wedding gift or even an off to college present, a set of cooking utensils is absolutely essential for survival. We don’t want to encourage fast food deliveries, or even dining out extensively on a tight budget. What better way to inspire a new young cook than with a set of tools.
Keeping in mind as parents when we have an opportunity to visit, we want to feel at home in their new kitchen. Not necessarily to take over, but to know we’ll be comfortable in whatever cooking endeavor we have in mind.
I remember my daughter receiving a special Christmas gift from her grandparents in England. When we opened the box to remove the miniature tea set, I recall the sound of the pieces clinking together and thought to myself these won’t last long. They assured us however that the set wasn’t expensive and was intended to be played with. Three sisters later some of those cups and saucers have still survived and they are still treasured by all.
I don’t know if they’ll develop a love for tea parties later in life, or a desire to collect miniature tea sets to adorn their homes. Yet the endless hours spent in elaborate games involving something unusually delicate certainly builds a sense of appreciation for finery.
We teach our children to know the difference between flatware we use every day, what we use for company, and what we use for special occasions. The place settings also match the changing situations from plain paper napkins, to the color coordinated sets, to cloth, ringed and standing at attention.
We’re sure they know it’s all just for show, but also expect that they’ll understand what it means to treat guests even better than we usually treat ourselves. It isn’t necessarily about impressing company, but always about treating our friends and neighbors with respect.
Whether it’s an omelet, pancakes or Dover Sole having that food slide neatly out of the fry pan and onto the plate is to be expected. When it doesn’t, even the best recipe loses something because of the presentation. Thankfully garnish comes in handy to make up for slight imperfections.
Watching the pros while they flip pancakes in the air, or rotate sauteing vegetables without throwing them around the kitchen can be intimidating. Having confidence in ourselves is hard enough without working with tools that increase our handicap.