Ready, steady, cook! Not.

Confession. I don’t mind a bit of dixie-bashing. Seriously, I don’t. I am an enthusiastic (but not particularly good) cook, I love reading recipes anywhere – books, mags, online – and I don’t mind cleaning up my own mess. I actually find the whole process – from preparation, to cooking and then the repetitive, wash, rinse, repeat on dishes when it is all over quite cathartic and a good way to slow the mind after a busy day. I also take some pride in some of the structures I have built while stacking the dishes in the dish rack. So taking all this into consideration, it is not a stretch to say that my kitchen here is beyond basic. Beyond rustic. The lack of equipment is actively encouraging me NOT to fend for myself and make my own meals. And that is hurting me.

I was provided with:
• Saucepan (IKEA)
• Fry pan (IKEA)
• Basic utensils - ladle, egg flip, spaghetti server (also IKEA)
• Plateware for two – two plates, two bowls, two rice bowls, two tea cups (from, can you guess? IKEA)
• The saddest excuse for a knife block ever - these knives can’t cut an apple without bending and warping (very disappointing, IKEA)
• Cutlery for two – 2 knives, 2 forks, 2 spoons, 2 teaspoons
• Glassware for two – two glasses (I’ve broken one already) and 2 wine glasses (thank you, thoughtful landlord)
• Microwave
• Hot plate
• Fridge
End of stocktake. For shiz, that is seriously it.

Oh wait, I fib. I also have a large and very modern rice cooker. Cos, you know, they eat a bit of that over here. ^_^

But where’s my wok, man? What about a toaster, dude? And thanks for the hot plate, but I guess an oven/griller combo is out of the question?

Talking to one of the ladies in the office, she laughed at my desire for an oven. Why? They just don’t bake ANYTHING at home here. She also suggested that the lack of appliances may be deliberate attempt to keep me *out* of the kitchen. To save the maids from having to clean up all the greasy splatters from the wok. “But I would never do that!” I protest. “I clean up after myself!” (refer second sentence of this post).

Having my apartment serviced by the maids every Monday and Friday is quite nice, don’t get me wrong. The amount of dust that accumulates in just 24 hours has to be seen to be believed, so it is great that they come and dust, sweep and mop the floors. But I haven’t yet left more than a teaspoon or juice glass in the sink for them. It just feels so WRONG. I’m one person, and have hardly any dishes to dirty anyway, so seems a bit mean-spirited to leave for poor Ayi (Chinese for maid) to come in and do twice a week. As if I could even I could leave them that long to be done, I have so few to use! And, as I’ve said previously, I don’t mind doing it. Though, if my bf is reading this… oh never mind, the horse has bloody bolted and I’ve put it out there now and you will never offer to wash up again! *wink*

So… what is my point today, what am I grateful for? I am loving the RMB10 shop ($2 shop) for the various containers, utensils and cooking apparatus they stock, all for the bargain price of about $1.50 per item. I appreciate Ayi making my bed every Mon and Fri (sorry – that is all in good conscience I can leave for you to do apart from dusting and cleaning the floors). I’m lucky that no one else has to eat the food I am managing to prepare with my meagre provisions *hehe* And I’m grateful I live in a neighbourhood with lots of dining options for when I just couldn’t be arsed messing up my one pot and one frypan to make a dish that is missing a small but vital ingredient and so ends up tasting utterly BLAH. Oh, China. You’re testing me! And I’m grateful for *that*, too.