I’ve become a collector of culinary toys. The more involved I become in the online program, the more I become involved in cooking in general. This leads me to new techniques, and therefore to new “must-have” cookware and gadgets. I scour the internet food blogs for recipes, then go to Amazon to look for the tools.
Amazon often has a 4-for-3 program, which means you buy four things which are covered by this program (a huge number of items) and get the lowest priced one for free. In addition, shipping is free, and there’s no tax. I’ve bought silicon tongs, a fruit reamer, a cast iron skillet, and a group of things I’m using today for the first time: Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes A Day (a book), a pizza stone on which to cook the bread, and a pizza peel to transfer the bread onto the stone. Right now my first loaf of bread is cooking - it smells gooood. And it really was easy. But how will it taste?
If it sounds like I’m spending a lot of money, I am. But what makes it acceptable to me (a real tightwad) is that Ken is transferring $10 a day to me for each day that we don’t go out to eat. Since we had been eating out every day, at least once a day, and now we’re down to three or four days a week, we’re saving lots of money, even though groceries cost a little more. I’m a lot pickier now about where we dine, especially since I still want to write about new places in Valley Vittles.
A few days ago we went on a field trip (since we’re eating out less we have to find other activities) to Standard Restaurant Supply at 2922 E. McDowell. This is a very large free-standing building crammed with, you guessed it, culinary equipment. It was like Christmas in June! I found some items that I had seen on Amazon - some were a little cheaper (although the difference disappeared with the tax), some a lot. It was just so much fun to rummage through the racks. After about half an hour Ken had had enough, and I had spent my available “funny” money. For $68 I got:
a five piece set of Pourfectl mixing bowls - look them up online, they’re
very interesting ($34)
a set of basting brushes
a ladle to defat stock
a set of measuring spoons
a dough scraper
a rolling pin
a scoop for shaping cookies or meatballs
a 9x9 silicon baking pan
We only covered about a third of the store in that time, and will certainly go back. I know I can come up with lots more things I have to own.
I just sampled my bread. It didn’t rise a lot, but it tastes delicious. The crust is nice and crackly, and the “chew” is just right. Another couple of loaves and I should feel like a pro - then I’ll start experimenting with different types of flour and add-ins. Yum.
To be fair to me, I had not had enough. A friend was coming to town and I had to get home and change some appointments I had scheduled for that evening. I actually enjoyed the store although some of those "toys" look dangerous to me. When Roz gets them out, Dexter and I hide under the bed.
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