In the early 1960s when I had to learn to cook, I had very few things related to cooking, only a couple of aluminum saucepans and my grandfather’s 10-inch cast iron skillet, which I didn’t know how to use. I also had two place settings, one for my young daughter and one for me.
As I learned, I accumulated other utensils. As someone who had worked with antiques, I knew there were good buys at the local flea market. This is where I found some carbon steel knives, most of which I still have and use. I made my own cutting boards and started collecting cookbooks.
By the early 1970s, I had all of the basics I needed and then some. At this point, I began to purchase kitchen “toys.” I was entertaining a lot and thought I needed a food processor. I ended up with two, a couple of mixers, a hand blender for soups, a meat grinder, all sorts of cheese graters, and many of the latest kitchen gadgets. During the ’70s, ’80s, and early ’90s, Patti and I entertained a great deal. I spent quite a bit of time cooking old favorites and experimenting with new tastes.
As time went on, I used fewer of the tools I thought I had to have. Any home cook who spends years creating meals learns short cuts and easier ways of preparing food. As in my case, we don’t entertain the way we used to for several reasons, one being that as we’ve gotten older, we no longer want all of that excitement. So, those gadgets I once thought I needed now are gathering dust and becoming “collectibles.”
However, because a California friend gave us some wonderful locally-made cheeses, I remembered a ’70s gadget I bought: a Mouli grater that I’d forgotten I had. We’re loving the cheeses and my “new” grater!
Enjoy and stay safe!
If you have suggestions or questions for this column, please contact me directly at guthrielarason@verizon.net.
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