Kitchen Appliances for Writers

I'm an experimental cook. Meaning I wait until the last minute because I'm caught up in some writing project and completely forget it's time to eat, and then I go in search of something to throw together. So most meals are experiments in creativity. Isn't that what writers do?

I have an old stove. 

For an old one, it's still reliable and mostly accurate. I use it to cook eggs for breakfast, store pots and pans (lots of storage in this thing), and occasionally cook pasta. Sometimes I'll stir fry. Every now and again, I'll roast potatoes or veggies in the oven. I cook most of my meat and many of my veggies on the gas grill outside. No cleanup. Just turn up the gas and turn on a timer. I have forgotten the time before and end up with no gas.

Recently I have added a couple of appliances that make my life so much easier. Bear with me. I know it's Poetry Friday and there is a poem coming.

This is my Ninja!

It is the most amazing blender ever invented. The motor sits on top. Absolutely no mess, no dials, just a punch button to make it go. The blades are super sharp, so be careful. Perfect for a smoothy snack. Or a smoothy lunch if that meal snuck up on you. The smaller bowl is additional, with it's own blades for chopping things.

My most recent addition is the cool rice cooker. I'd heard of rice cookers before. My daughter has one, but as I don't cook much rice, I never really thought much about one. A few weeks ago, my nephew, the one who keeps me organized and dressed fashionably, took me shopping. "You need a rice cooker," he said. So, we bought a rice cooker. I love it. I've looked at a couple of other since I bought this one, and I like mine the best of any I've seen. Rice cooks in the bottom while anything from fish to green beans or both, steams in the basket above it. Fantabulous! Now I can put dinner on before I sit down and start that project. I doesn't overcook or burn if I forget it. And I always have leftover rice for rice pudding. It's good for  breakfast. I throw the rice pudding together and let it cook while eating dinner. Cool it, stick it in the fridge, and pull it out for breakfast. East cold or reheat in the microwave. (That other appliance I'd find it hard to live without.)

So there you have it, my commercial on this Poetry Friday.

Now poetry. Rice Pudding poetry, of course.


Rice Pudding

by A.A. Milne

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She’s crying with all her might and main,
And she won’t eat her dinner—rice pudding again—
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
I’ve promised her dolls and a daisy-chain,
And a book about animals—all in vain—
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She’s perfectly well, and she hasn’t a pain;
But, look at her, now she’s beginning again!
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
I’ve promised her sweets and a ride in the train,
And I’ve begged her to stop for a bit and explain—
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She’s perfectly well, and she hasn’t a pain,
And it’s lovely rice pudding for dinner again!—
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

Tabatha Yeats hosts more Poetry Friday at The Opposite of Indifference. 

Never tried rice pudding? Here's a quick, easy recipe. I cut the sugar by half because I don't like it so sweet. I have used honey before, too. And my rice is usually not short grain. The long grain works just fine.