Sunday, October 16, 2011

Frikadeller, kitchen tools, needs vs. necessities.

I just could not figure out how to title this post.   I was just down in the kitchen making  up some Frikadeller  so I could have some cold ones to slice for sandwiches later on down the road.  They're great to have in the freezer for a quick lunch, or dinner.  I think they rank right up there with a meatloaf sandwich for yumminess, or is that word?

At any rate, I had thrown the meat, onions,egg, milk and flour into the Kitchenaid mixer and started it up and while watching it whirl around, was so thankful for this machine.   When my Mom made Frikadeller we had to stir them with a wooden spoon for the longest time, because you really want the mixture to be very smooth in texture.     The longer you beat it by hand, the smoother the texture of the Frikadeller, and the nicer they are to eat.   You also need to mince the onion very fine, and this also has a lot to do with the texture and taste.    But you can read all about it in that post.  

However, it started me thinking.   I've met some incredibly talented cooks over the years.  And not all of them have had access to a lot of the equipment I think of as necessities.  Hey, even I haven't had access from time to time.   It's always fun to cook and bake and present food with all the toys equipment I've managed to accumulate over the years, but I've also done my share of cooking using pans that weren't great, knives that were, horror of horrors, dull, and been in places that weren't really conducive to cooking on a large scale basis.  (And boy do I wish I'd taken pictures back then.)   I orchestrated a sit down Prime Rib dinner for 60 people when we were camping at the dunes one year.   I had three large Rib Roasts cooking in three different ovens in three campers (motor homes), running from one place to another monitoring them, and also made the Au Jus and the mashed potatoes in my motor home.   Everyone else who attended did make a dish and bring it to share and we had a wonderful time, the food all worked out, except at the end when one of the dogs grabbed a bag that a roast had cooked in, and took off with it.  He swallowed it, but survived, silly dog.       

We lived in an RV for a long time, and I've been fortunate enough to live in a lot of places.  One of the best cooks I ever met would make the most incredibly detailed dishes on his campfire and bring them to potlucks.  He owned a couple of basic pots, and a good knife but the rest, sheer talent.    He had more cooking ability in his little finger than I'll ever have.   He could walk into just about any restaurant where we lived at the time and get a job, but as he told me, he liked to drink and cooking for a living interfered with that.    When he was sober though, WOW!!!!

There are some necessities any kitchen needs;  a stove to cook on, some pots, knives and a cook who is willing to screw up from time to time, since we can't all be perfect all the time.  

I guess my point, and yes there is a point here, you don't need the fanciest pots, the best knives, the most up to date food processors to make great food, you need yourself, your best efforts, and your love to make great food.     Some of the worst food I've ever had has come out of the nicest equipped kitchens, because it wasn't prepared with love.     
Sidsel Munkholm - Author
Sidsel Munkholm - Author

Sid loves to cook, feed people and have fun in the kitchen. She shares her successes and the involuntary offerings she sometimes gives the kitchen goddess as well. And she's still looking for the mythical fairy to help her clean the kitchen after a marathon cooking session. Currently working on a cookbook showcasing the recipes from her Danish heritage.

2 comments:

  1. You know, I never even thought of using my KitchenAid for mixing Frikadelle meat. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Try it, you'll like it. I think it makes mixing them a lot easier.

    ReplyDelete

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