The Foodology Collective

It wasn’t a divorce, although it felt like one. We weren’t ever married. I was, however, divorced from several kitchen necessities that I had fallen for as well. And now, I’ve not only got the heartache from a lack of workhorses in the kitchen, I also lack the space for them anymore even if they were here for me. Let that marinate for a moment.

So what should you do when you’ve grown accustomed to a cooking space that was spacious, well thought out, and as far as appliances are concerned, ready for almost anything, then suddenly you’re in a very dated, necessarily compact space, and as far as appliances are concerned, it’s described as basic? All in all, it probably equates to 5 times less surface and cabinet space, which is quite a significant transition.

This is the dilemma I find myself in now, as my Stainless Steel GE Profile and Monogram Series has become, we’ll say, more entry level. But what is truly tough isn’t the lack of the big hardware. The range, fridge, and to a lesser extent, the sink, I can deal with. The lack of a dishwasher is something I also don’t think about much. What does become more and more difficult is the lack of the smaller appliances. Most of all, living without a food processor and a mixer of some sort after you’ve had them for years seems like it’ll be okay when you embark on that journey, but eventually something will crop up and you will realize that you need these tools on a more frequent basis.

Oh, the space issues. As much as I desire a high-horsepower, top of the line stand mixer, there is just no possible way one can live inside my kitchen. In the meantime I’m considering a hand mixer, as my limited needs cooking for one would find it in storage more than in use, and there is some cabinet space left to be used. Something with enough umphf to turn oatmeal cookie dough, that can stand on the counter with its beaters up, maybe?

And there’s still the issue of the food processor. And although there are a myriad ways to turn, I can become set in my ways, and I’m already honing in towards a Cusinart. Indeed, that’s the brand I fell in love with using. With a wide range of prices and features, and solid brand recognition, this feels like a safe angle to explore. I only need something that can handle small to medium sized batches, is easy to clean, and can be stored with a minimal impact on space.

As I sift through all the options, and consider what is best for my needs VS my space, I begin to realize that these decisions have another level of consideration to weigh: There is the distinct possibility that my current locale is temporary, and there may be a new kitchen to assess in the not too distant future. So this complicates the process, but also makes me take stock of what is really needed. Not only storage issues to consider, but possibly repackaging, and moving issues as well.

The food processor can’t wait. I’ve made too many things lately, for medium to large groups, that require far too much chopping to do without any longer. And as far as storage is concerned, I’m not going to find a kitchen with much less than I have now, so it’s a pretty good starting block for those considerations.
But the more I think about it, and look around the space itself, and think about the lack of a mixer… I don’t want to settle. I’m not going to just settle for the hand mixer because it’s somewhat useful for my space at the moment. No, I’m going to holdout for the real deal, maybe even in stainless steel, when the time is right. Because it feels dirty to settle.

So although there may not be room in my kitchen to love all of these items now, what is physically my kitchen is likely about to grow and evolve again. When it does, I’ll have to take stock of what these tools can do for me, and how easy or difficult it will be to maintain, manage, and care for them. Because if I don’t have the time or space to maintain these additions, then they’re really only a strain on the function and use of the space I do have. And I don’t want to put anymore strain on this kitchen, as it certainly won’t help alleviate the pain of the departure from kitchens of the past.

By choosing wisely for the size and function of my food processor, I can upgrade my kitchen in a big way simply by its addition. A stand mixer would be too much commitment right now, and it’s okay to shy away from that. A hand mixer would be the easy way out, and clearly only a temporary solution, and it’s okay to shy away from that as well. So I find that I must move forward and progress with the food processor, if only to pave the way for the stand mixer that will eventually stand proud, in the kitchen that I’ll share my heart and hands with.

Because, you don’t think I’d go into cooking with loose ends in my kitchen, do you?