If that sounds like a funked up ad from Williams-Sonoma blame it on the fact that I work there part time and love it. Not only do I get to cook while I am working but I also get to try out all of the extraordinary products that WS carries.
It's a trap really. Because when you get to use all of the fancy pants cookware, knives, electrics etc, you see first hand just how much better they are. I mean that cheap knife you bought from Target is just not going to hold up in the long run. And you first set of pots and pans, you know the ones with the nonstick coating that is peeling off, are going to pale in comparison to the lovely red Le Creuset pot or the glorious All Clad fry pan.
It gets even worse, when you wake up in the morning to find your car has been broken into. The front passenger side window has been broken, the glove box and center console rifled through, and nothing taken. Nothing taken! Now you are really mad because what then is the point? And a little sad with the realization that the burglar thinks you have bad taste in music. Then you go into work where there is a sale on All Clad pans. You realize that you can purchase a covered fry pan for an excellent price. You don't have a covered fry pan. And you have been completely spoiled because you have been using the All Clad Sauteuse that you won in a work drawing. Then a coworker encourages you by saying things like, "These pans are investments" and "It will last a lifetime." Remember you are feeling bad because of the break in. You are weak. You see the shiny All Clad 5 layer shiny fry pan. And bam, you have a new boyfriend.
The first thing you make in it is so gourmet, so highbrow that you can't hardly even stand yourself - grilled cheese. Although, to be fair, it was Swiss, cheddar, pesto grilled cheese. And it was done to perfection. On the second night you throw together a "ragu" in the pan and now the deal is done. It's love. That's all there is to it.
All of the silliness aside, I have come to a point in my cooking life where I now realize the importance of having the best tools and ingredients (that you can afford and acquire legally). It really does make a huge difference. I blame several fantastic cooks I know (you know who you are) and working at Williams-Sonoma for making me see how badly I NEED new kitchen tools and fresh, local ingredients. It may be a sickness. But making food and sharing food is one of the great pleasures in life. I mean, everybody has to eat. And it is way more fun when you share a meal with family or friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment