In the last week, I’ve moved from my previous (already fairly small) apartment and downsized to a smaller place in the city where I’ll be going to grad school. Part of my reason for choosing the new place, though, is that it also has a gas stove. I don’t think I could ever live without a gas stove for more than a year or two now. I’ve been so spoiled. When it comes to instant gratification in terms of food, the gas stove is second only to the microwave (and maybe food you don’t have to cook at all…) in terms of convenience. I’m lazy. And I like cooking authentic Chinese food. So, on the list of priorities, a gas stove is higher than many other things except the basic necessities like a toilet and somewhere to wash up for me.
There were a few days there, in the midst of moving, where I was eating only convenience food. When you’re packing and cleaning, sleeping on the floor at night, and don’t want to undo all your work it’s hard not to. Sadly, I did have a couple nights where dinner was leftover snacks that I’d used to feed people who helped move things. Slim jims, soda, and cheez-its. Charmingly healthy.
A new kitchen, though, is like a whole new world. In this case, an older, even smaller one. The new kitchen is one wall of my studio, which makes the idea of Indian cooking less appealing since scents might permeate all my belongings. I’ve had to jettison some of my kitchen cargo as well, unfortunately…largely because my new stove is a 3/4 size gas stove, and my fridge is a 3/4 size fridge.
I’m still getting use to the strangeness of it all…like the old faucet that needs the aerator replaced desperately, the fridge that doesn’t have a weight on it to make it close in case I forget, and the gas stove that seems to have only two options: OFF or HIGH.
It’s a relief though to have things unpacked enough to where I can cook again. I put aluminum foil all over my stove again, even though it’s not really new enough to have to worry about staining it. Today I tried to make a risotto, which was a little tough given the “OFF or HIGH” situation. It came out more like cheesyrice with some vegetables in it…
I also invested in a slow cooker to help save money, since I can cook beans or cheap cuts of meat for a long time while I’m away studying or at work. And speaking of beans, I happen to live in a primarily Latino neighborhood so I now have access to all sorts of nifty spices and cuts of meat along with tasty baked goods. It should be a whole new cooking adventure.
