Listen: 96FM | Gadgets in the kitchen
Gadgets, I’ve had a few. But then again, too many to mention…
Talking to PJ Coogan on 96FM’s Opinion Line about kitchen gadgets this morning made me look around my own kitchen and see just how many gadgets I have. There are the big well-used things: my beloved slow cooker, the necessary-several-times-a-day-especially-in-lockdown coffee grinder and espresso machine, the always-in-use toaster. The item that gets occasional – but still justifiable – outings – think bread machine, KitchenAid, the food processor. Then there are the lunchtime essentials, which include a sandwich press and the waffle maker. After that is when it gets a little fuzzy and back of the drawer: a icing syringe, an egg separator, those kiwifruit spoons, an apple corer, the melon baller that was part of my cookery school kit. In theory, they should be Marie Kondo-ed. In practice, they stay there until I figure out that:
a) my icing bag does a much better job
b) I can separate an egg through my fingers or by using the shell, if I really need to do it
c) the girls never use their kiwifruit spoons any more (but they did!)
d) I will never be balling another melon in my life.
My sister swears by her juicer: I couldn’t be faffed cleaning one. George – as in George Forman – makes my father’s lunchtime toastie (in other words, my mother doesn’t have to make it!) and he got an air fryer for his birthday. I’ve used it once, to make chips, and never will again.
One person’s essential kitchen tool is definitely another’s why-on-earth-would-they-use-that gadget.
So, while juicers, air fryers and George may never grace my kitchen, I do have space for a pasta machine – best way of getting kids to make supper, ever – a gingerbread house mould that gets used once a year but brings enormous joy, and my most recent purchase, a tortilla maker from Picado Mexican – I’ve been hankering after one of these for years, ever since I did a cookery class with Lily and learned just how good homemade tortillas taste.
A good gadget? Anything that sparks joy and makes cooking fun. Especially at the moment. Especially right now.
Slow cooker
2020 Read: The Echo | Lifting the lid on how to be slow cooker savvy…~
2020 Slow cooker whole spiced cauliflower
2019 Gathering food: Slow cooked brisket with stout, rhubarb and mustard
2018 TheJournal.ie: ‘This girl’s best friend is her slow cooker’
2011 Moving time: Sausage and Bean Hotpot
Bread machine
2020 Easter baking: Choc chip hot cross buns
2013 Cinnamon Rolls
2014 Chocolate Nut Swirls
2011 Spiced Hot Cross Buns with Chocolate Chips
2012 Cinnamon Raisin Bread
2005 Homemade Naan-type Flatbread
2009 Fennel-Aniseed-Caraway Loaf
2005 Rosemary Focaccia from your Breadmaker
