Splurge Pans Out : Utensibility Meme

It has been suggested by some that it would be entertaining to name, take pictures of, and discuss a most valued appliance splurge. I agree, but find I can't really commend , for splurge purposes, a particular appliance. I feel you will probably value most some tool which delights you with it's individual beauty in looks and action. And much as I love cookware shops, it is possible that you may find this item somewhere else. I feel I am not too far of track here, as utensils are definitely involved.

I am not a Luddite. I enjoy the fruits of technology as much as the next person, in the kitchen and elsewhere. The recent demise of my immersion blender threw me badly off. I would be particularly unhappy to lose my food processor or Kitchenaid mixer. In fact, I wish I had been able to afford a bigger, more powerful mixer. The food processor is an ancient Cuisinart I took over from my mother when she gave up cooking; it still works just fine. While these items were not cheap, they were not really splurges, either. I figured I'd use them gazillions of times, and I have.

I am also the blushing owner of a truly yuppified francisfrancis espresso machine, which I love shamelessly. My wily bargain-hunter friend Ilene found it and its twin on sale for $200 at Williams-Sonoma several years ago. She called me from the store, throwing me into agonies of shopper's conflict and inner turmoil. (Our little darlings are a discontinued color- a 1930's green often referred to as "marthagreen" these days.)
This elegant yet homey one-object Italian designorama is truly gorgeous-the powder enamel coating is so thick that it has a new car-like lustre. But, though I use it often, it can't be classified as a clever buy.

As Ilene observed, in my kitchen, where the cafe au laits outnumber the espressos ten to one, it is essentially a high class milk steamer. I do note with some satisfaction that these machines are now priced in the ridiculous range of over $600, although why this is pleasing to me, I am not certain. I suspect it does not cast a flattering light on my character. While you'd have a hard time prying it away from me, my feelings toward it are pretty ambivalent.

Old granitewear kitchen things are awfully charming-especially the european sort, which are so infused with the feel of the kitchens of the twenties, thirties and forties. Much of this stuff- especially the cooking pots and pans- is not very practical- it is no good at high heat, cracks easily, stains and burns. Besides, a lot of the prettiest old stuff is so chipped that it is insanitary and gross to actually use. Except for a few pictures, I do not have much in my kitchen that can't be used; it is too small for dustcatchers that don't work. I did have a couple of enamelware pitchers and 50's bowls, and a very nice little cream and green double boiler which works well for melting things, since it provides gentle heat. So when I was inspired to bid $85 on ebay on the utensil rack and tools you see here, and won the auction, I was thinking that just possibly, I had been a jackass. Not, as it turns out, in this particular case.

I love my rack and its utensils, all of which I use regularly, and none of which (except the small ladle) are duplicates of anything I already had. I am particularly attached to the ladles with pour spouts, which are great for defatting and descumming soups and directing the flow of scalding jam.. There are almost no chips or cracks, and it is this cool graduated orange color, like my nice old le creuset "flame" pots. The gray innards are a subtle touch. I use the little scoopy part at the bottom to hold my colored chalk and eraser for my nearby blackboard shopping list. It all cleans up beautifully and I feel clever whenever I look at it. All splurges should work out this well. While I'm sure someone else has one just like it, I probably will never see it in their kitchen. I'm considering painting my kitchen walls- and they need it, gray to match.

This sort of splurge is a variant shopper's thrill. I enjoy the regular sort, too. As I have mentioned before in these pages
my $5.95 Messermeister serrated peeler is a marvel. You can peel a peach or tomato or any soft fruit, without bothering to slip it into boiling water first. I heartily recommend this innovative device- it is entirely loveable. However, I think your most successful kitchen splurge may jump off a shelf somewhere into your arms when you least expect it. While you are waiting, you might like to peel a few peaches and make some jam.

Comments

[Sam]

Lindy - I can't tell you - this is just such a fabulous and unique entry - it's so cool-looking. I have an orange Kitchen Aid so I am thinking a set just as this would look great sitting nearby in my kitchen. And as for the Messermeister - you are only the second entry and already it has it's second mention so it's already benn marked on my 'must have' list.
Thanks for joining in. Depending on the magnitude of the response, I hope to create a round-up shopping list from all the great entries by sometime next week.
Sam

[Lindy]

Thanks, Sam. You will love the peeler. I am seriously jealous about the orange KitchenAid.

[Marko]

What a great blog. The existence of food blogs hadn't occurred to me before but now it has, and Toast is my first, I'm sure I'll enjoy as much as you obviously do.
Your style is reminiscent of both my friend Lindesay, the person who described lollo rosso as being a "snappy dresser but a terrible conversationalist"; and Tarquin Winot from "A debt to pleasure". Both compliments in my book I can reassure you!

Regards
Marko

[Annie]

Lindy, thanks for the Messermeister peeler tip - went to Sur La Table last evening and picked up two - one for me and one for my friend who caters. I have to agree it does a good job on tomatoes - that's all I've peeled so far.

[Lindy]

Marko- I was unaware of Tarquin Winot. Checked it out- and I definitely need to read this, the book sounds very clever. But the character himself-he sounds kind of sinister, Marko.

[Lindy]

Annie- Actually, tomatoes, peaches, nectarines...I don't think I've tried anything else with it. But it's well worth it for the tomatoes alone, to me. Enjoy it.