Glorious Gadgets

I think I have obsessive, compulsive traits.  I lust from afar, I can’t wait to run my hands over each and every fine feature and willingly give in to my objects of desire.  When it comes to the latest and greatest of appliances, I simply must have them.

We have entered a new age of electrical contrivances, there are more gadgets, thingamabobs, thingamajigs, doohickeys and doodads to simplify your kitchen life and give you the feeling of being the ultimate domestic goddess.  With machines that make s’mores (those tasty camping treats you savored, yet had to wait for the right season to have, are available without delaying a minute longer, just plug in the machine and instantaneously enjoy this gooey treat and forget about the bugs and uncomfort of sleeping on the ground) and devices that are “must have” and “how did I live without” such as the onion blossom maker (every onion should be made to feel this luxurious); the “Pump and Seal Vacuum Food Saver” (hard to explain, but obviously necessary for lifelong happiness) and the Cafe Deluxe is great for whipping up the perfect Cappuccino or Cafe Latte (but don't be fooled...  this miniature marvel has a whole host of other uses! Use the Cafe Deluxe to whip up an omelet, mix salad dressing or whip cream.  It is very easy to use and even easier to clean!).  And no home would be complete without a Panini maker (the machine that Europeans have long used to make gloriously delicious grilled & pressed sandwiches).  For a low price of $69.99 (bet I can find it on e-Bay cheaper!), it can be mine!

Not to be outdone, I must praise the unsung heroes of the plugged in, instant gratification, “gosh this is nifty”, kitchen implement.  I am talking the exceptionally brilliant “every home should have one” domestic devices such as the hamburger press (popular in the ‘70’s, but still quite practical today); the crock-pot (staging a huge comeback); the waffle iron (it may only do one job, but WOW! it certainly does it well!); the electric frying pan (unbelievably nonstick, yet so versatile); the electric can opener (wish I had been the first to come up with this one); the milkshake maker (my son’s favorite); the food processor (mine is over 20 years old and can still slice and dice); the blender (yum, great for frozen daiquiris in the summer and I am sure other things, although nothing comes to mind); the bread-maker (nothing better than fresh, hot bread); the amazing, free-standing Mix Master (mine is pink and stands respectfully on my counter for all to see); the hand held mixer (much quicker in a pinch and the only mixer I use when whipping up chocolate chip cookies); don’t forget the toaster (we have two, one for bagels and the other, an anniversary present from my mom years ago, which ended up being a much better gift than I originally thought – a 4-slicer, each with its own toasting indicator); and of course, the ever popular coffee maker (especially if it pulverizes the coffee beans seconds before brewing).  I wish I could list all the wonderful inventions over history; I do know that I have never found one piece of kitchen equipment that couldn’t find a warm spot in my heart; even our “Moo Mixer” is vital in life.

So many appliances and so little space! The modern kitchen has not kept up with the progress of the apparati one needs to store.  Kitchen devices need to be used to know they are loved and love to be used.  We must unite in our efforts to free these hidden friends from the deep, dark depths of the cabinets and bring them to light on the counter top and daily use.  Besides, we need to make room for the influx of the new, handy dandy implements we can’t live without and that could possible enhance my cooking, baking and ultimately my family’s satisfaction (justified that pretty well, didn’t I?).

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-