Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Dinner chat

I'm really in the mood to eat. Not eat a lot, I'm just looking forward to making dinner and eating! Probably because I didn't really cook for myself last night while Ken was working--I warmed up the sauerkraut Mom brought me, ate another pickled egg, and had a piece of cheesecake. It all tasted pretty good to me, but it's not the same as cooking. Last night, I got some beef out of the freezer, planning on doing a roast. But when I went to the store this morning, sliced mushrooms were on sale, and I was struck by a sudden hankering for stir fry. I bought some pea pods, too, and some teriyaki sauce, so stir fry it is. I have some egg rolls in the freezer, and I'll make some sticky rice. For some reason, that just sounds really good to me.

That got me to thinking again that I want a wok. I just use a large frying pan now, but I think I'd like a real live wok. I used to have an electric wok, but it pretty much just sat on the top of the fridge and collected dust. I think a pan would be more practical, and I could use it for other things if I needed to. I'm not quite sure where I'll put it, but one of my projects after I stop working will be a complete reorganization of the kitchen cabinets. I want to get some racks for the cupboards so I can get a handle on the various baking pans, lids, etc. It's driving me crazy! We have a small kitchen, and our plans to expand a bit are a few years off, so I need to be clever in my kitchen storage. Time to put my anal retentive Virgo-ness to work!

I'll stay busy for a while, I think, because I'd say that every closet and storage place in the house needs some major reorganization. (Except for Ken's closet--he just wants to go through his clothes and see what he should donate.) Odd that I'm suddenly in spring-cleaning mode, because it doesn't feel very spring-like at the moment. It may be in the mid-50's, but the wind is still crazy and it feels wintry.

I got off the subject--imagine that! So does everyone have a wok? Do you love it? Is it an indispensable part of your cookware? Would I be wasting our money to get one? (I won't spend $50 on it or anything--probably $25, tops.) Tell me what you think.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, I think a Wok would be a nice addition.  Thanks for asking. :o)

Anonymous said...

Yeeees, dear. <rolling my eyes>

B.

Anonymous said...

I have a Wok and wouldn't be without it, and my other best kitchen tool is that I bought one of those George Foreman grills a few years ago, I had Lamb tonight and they were cooked to a "T", very easy to clean I have the baby grill so even in my small kitchen storage is not a problem, also I have a Slow Cooker which is perfect for stews, casseroles pot roast etc again easy to store and the crock pot can come straight to the table, see my recipe for Lamb shamks in my recipe journal.

Sorry about the over run

Yasmin
xx

Anonymous said...

I inherited an electric wok from my MIL, kinda old, from the 70's when they first came out. burnt orange color (so you know its old!)  I loved it, however, it never got hot enough.  When you stir fry, you use a high heat for a short time.  In my previous life, I had a stovetop one, but it was cheap, and it rusted, no matter if I dried it right away...like I couldn't get it dry enough.  I would say if you plan to use it, spend a little more on it, and it'll be worth it.  Remember you get what you pay for!
xoxo ~Myra

Anonymous said...

Ok, sauerkraut, pickled egg, and cheesecake....sounds like a combination for a pregnant woman (which I know your not). As for a Wok, once you have one you'll ask how did you get by without one. I had one which wasn't exactly a great one, then inherited Doc's Mom's Wok. Ahh, pure bliss. So I'm in agreement do a little research find the right one to give you a bang for your buck. (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

i do not like Chinese food at all so no, no Wok here...but keep talking about all that food and my DH may find your house and invite himself to dinner! LOL

I want to know how much weight Ken gains after you retire. LOL    I love your cooking stories. Go ahead and buy that wok....i bet it gets good use!
HUGS, lisa jo

Anonymous said...

You remind me of that great Nancy Sinatra song-"the roots are made for woking" - a real classic.

Anonymous said...

Shit! I meant "THESE"

Anonymous said...

HA! Marc...that made me laugh! And I love that song....

Beth

Anonymous said...

I defintely vote for buying a wok. If you buy a good one, chances are that you will never have to replace it so it ends up being a real bargain in the long run. In addition to CHinese food, I also like Indian and Ethipian cuisine, both of whihc have many dishes that prepare well in a wok. Wok on! Okay, that was so bad but Marc inspired me with the Nancy Sinatra reference.--Sheria