Kitchens

Most of us “know” just our kitchens. We may have known our mother’s kitchen, but for me and most of my friends that was too long ago to remember. So the only kitchen we have recent experience with is the one we toil in each day. We “see” other kitchens when we visit and maybe even help a bit, but most of the kitchen is hidden behind closed drawers, cabinets, and closets.

I’ve actually gotten to know three other kitchens in the last few years and find it an amazing revelation. I cared for my granddaughter for five weeks when her brother was born prematurely and her mom stayed at the hospital (60 miles away) to nurse him. I spent a week or so with my daughter when she had her baby and did enough cooking to become familiar with her hidden spaces. And now I’ve just spent three weeks in the kitchen of my sister-in-law cooking for my mother while my brother and his wife went to New Zealand.

I’ve come to a number of revelations. For one, no one has the same equipment. What one takes as a given in our own kitchen is missing from others. I learned quickly that my daughter-in-law did not have a pot big enough to do the cooking I wanted to do. So I bought one for her (or actually for me).

I learned that my daughter could live in a kitchen that required one to do gymnastics to get to many of the items needed. Fortunately, they have renovated the kitchen which means it is now possible to get to everything. My gratitude is immense.

And now I have learned that my sister-in-law desperately needs two things: a visit to Penzey’s and new knives. I’ve gotten terribly spoiled by living within driving distance of spice heaven rather than having to mail order what I wanted. I have thrown out all spices that are older than my children and have added glorious new ones that make cooking so much fun. I hadn’t realized how much I counted on these jars to add interest to salt free cooking.

As for knives, oh my. I have exactly five knives in my kitchen as a result of having to do serious downsizing when we moved. Each of these knives can cut!!! They are sharp and when they quit being that way I send them off to Cutco to make them usable again. Why my poor sister-in-law has not done serious damage to herself, I will never know. The sharpest knife in the drawer filled with utensils couldn’t cut water much less soft butter. Let’s not even discuss what they do to onions and peppers and such.

My conclusion is that one could do an interesting sociological study using a woman’s kitchen. I’ll bet one could draw some fascinating conclusions about what makes a woman tick based solely on the sharpness of her knives, the kind of spices on her shelf, the range of her pot sizes, and the ease with which one can work in her space.

Meanwhile, I can hardly wait to get home to cook again in my kitchen and leave others to theirs. It will be a joyous homecoming. Dehydrated jalapeños call my name.

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