Friday, February 19, 2010

It's Not the Pan that Makes the Chef

The rental pots and pans and knives we got from insurance are about the cheapest, low quality stuff you can imagine. I am sure most college kids have a saute pan than me.

Cooking is the one thing I really love to do. The one thing that relaxes me and helps me to focus on the good things in life and forget the bad, at least for a little while. It has been a challenge.

The cooktop and I got off to a bad start. I burnt bacon. I never burn bacon, that borders sacrilegious here. And then I burnt scrambled eggs--who the heck burns scrambled eggs. Apparently me. So I have been adjusting levels, moving around pans, compensating for the very thin tin that makes up the pan and it's gotten a little better.

Last night I decided to go with a classic red beans and rice. I admit I struggled a bit with the cheap chef knife, not my 5 star pro Henkels that can slice paper. Using a cutting board the size of a small writing tablet, I managed to dice the celery, green pepper and garlic pretty well.

The bacon had a bit of issues in the pan but all in all, it worked. (I am not getting into the rice--I'll just say I miss my rice cooker.) The family was happy and felt a bit better about my favorite hobby even if I was a stranger in a strange land ;)

And today my husband brought home the new Jamie Oliver 'Food Revolution' cookbook. I got this book for Christmas and I had barely a chance to glance at it before it went up in smoke. Glancing through the pages, I am actually starting to feel a bit of me coming back. I found quite a few things I could make without all my fancy tools.

I know it might sound silly to so many of you but this small victory is just one step making me feel normal again. And it feels good!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good for you for finding the silver lining and making the best of a bad situation. I hope you are back in a gourmet kitchen and cooking up a storm real soon.

Gretchen said...

That sense of normalcy is so important when rebuilding. I'm so glad you are able to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Your husband is really thoughtful, BTW.

Clare said...

i can only imagine! we are in the tiniest kitchen in our rental. i only have half of my stuff. i can feel where you are coming from. there is something good about things getting back to normal!!

Unknown said...

Whatever helps you feel normal again my dear. Glad to hear the cookbook helped. Keep on cookin'! :D

Momo Fali said...

I think you are amazing. Your attitude is the biggest victory I can imagine.

Anti-Supermom said...

Lisa, not silly at all.

I can't imagine what you are going through and finding normalcy in little things sounds absolutely 'normal' to me.

Your attitude is remarkable!