A Word on Mixing

I love to cook, but I must admit that at day’s end I often find myself rushing through otherwise joy-inducing steps in the cooking process as I plow towards my goal of being able to simply sit, unbothered enjoying good food and a glass of wine. However, as I stopped to smell the proverbial roses tonight in the kitchen, I was reminded of how much the little things can make a big difference. What was this enlightening, epiphany-inducing event? Using a bigger bowl. Don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried it. I was preparing to whisk some balsamic vinegar into some olive oil, and reaching for a mixing bowl, I uncharacteristically grabbed the bowl on the bottom of the stainless steel nest—the big bowl that never sees the light of day because it barely fits in the sink to be washed. I tossed ingredients in that big bowl with reckless abandon and whisked, tossed, and mixed without a care in the world; there was no way any of that stuff was getting unceremoniously flipped out of a too-small bowl. It was fun, if only in part because of my amusement at my amusement. It shouldn’t be surprising though; I find similar delight when I actually prep first, cook second; when I use my prep bowls, the proper knife instead of the one closest at hand etc. It just goes to show that the small things really can make a big difference, and an extra dish or two in the sink at night’s end is a small price to pay for finding a little more joy in the journey. So use that bigger bowl, that dusty china that can’t go in the dishwasher or that big chef’s knife you’re not as deft at wielding—it’s worth it.
7.27.07
VEW