I am Mike Domestic

Just came up with that...

Kitchen by betsyjean79

I found an interesting article on kitchen essentials [h/t Lifehacker] over at the LA Times.

Kitchen essentials, and items you can pass by

Basically they weigh in on what things you need in your kitchen and what you don't. I agree with all except the toaster. Sure, we don't have toast all that much, but when I do have it (morning) I am in no mood to fire up the BBQ, as good as that sounds...

I am completely fed up with non-stick pans and will not buy another. Like they say, a 'good' one gets beat up just as fast as a cheap one. you just paid five times as much for the thing. My favorite pan is a 8" Calphalon anodized fry pan. It's as good as new, five years later.

...I got hungry thinking about my pan, and stopped writting to cook up an egg, sunny side up, with a little Tabasco on top. Tasty. I'm back now.

High quality coffee is another that I am a big proponent of. Cheap coffee is like cheap booze, users only use it for it's effects. The buzz. Good coffee (and booze) is an enjoyable experience. The same thing goes for beer.

That brings me to the fondue (fon-don't) set. I have two, we have used them once. ...In seven years... Because of my aversion to throwing stuff away, they are just taking up precious cabinet space. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it (especially the dark chocolate and strawberries, mmmmm) there are better ways to do it, as they point out.

I'd add this as an un-needed kitchen appliance... The microwave.

Carrie and I have been microwave-less for five years now...

What!?!?!

Yes, that's right boys and girls. Mister Gadget-Freak has no microwave. ...And we haven't missed it once.

No, I am not afraid of the radiation. We just decided that it isn't needed.

Sure it takes us a bit longer to re-heat something in the oven, but it is so much better. Especially Carrie's baked macaroni and cheese. It is actually better re-heated in the oven than when it is cooked the first time. A microwave would ruin it.

Yes , a half-cup of coffee gets wasted once in awhile, but that is the only downfall. The upside is more counter/cabinet space, and better food.

Ditch your microwaves people! You'll be glad you did.