I Miss My KitchenAid. And Other Concerns.

I recently got started with blogging because I finally had the time. But doing a cooking-focused blog while I’m in a new foreign kitchen (and country) without most of my previously acquired tools and appliances has its challenges.

A couple months before I knew I would be moving to Dubai from San Diego, I finally got the KitchenAid stand mixer of my dreams. Aqua sky.

So beautiful, and so helpful. At the time, I was in the habit of making a new flavor of cupcake for all my loved ones’ special occasions. Like these:

White Chocolate Raspberry Surprise Cupcakes. Recipe from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures.

As I nursed hand cramps from making that frosting fluffy (WITH A FORK), I dreamed of the stand mixer that would crank those puppies out in record time. When I finally got the dream machine, I made chocolate lava cakes for my love for Valentines day, and by then we were engaged and starting to talk moving plans.

Brings a tear to my eye…

That was the KitchenAid’s initiation and swan song. Life happened and I only got to use that beautiful mixer once before packing her up and putting her in storage. Aside from outlet issues, that thing weighs a ton. I already had 5 suitcases and unacceptable baggage fees.

I used Martha’s recipe, and it was incredible.

So here I am in my new foreign kitchen. My stove is studio sized, electric, and doesn’t heat evenly. My oven is in Celsius and uses weird symbols instead of words like ‘Bake’. My fridge is not large. I don’t have a toaster and hate my microwave. My working triangle is…obtuse.

I haven’t had occasion to make celebratory cupcakes for anyone here yet. But when I do, I will miss my Aqua Sky beauty and surely notice that I don’t own a muffin tin (yet).

I’m learning to appreciate that I can still produce meals that my man appreciates in this nearly gadgetless kitchen. It’s not like I’m rubbing sticks together over here – my counters are granite and quite spacious, for one – I’m just adjusting, restocking, and newly appreciating what’s in storage back in San Diego.

I have tried to gather up the most important basics. I learned my vital kitchen essentials are as follows:

Large mixing bowl
Multiple cutting boards
At least one decent sharp chopping knife
One small serrated knife (cherry tomatoes, I’m looking at you)
Med-large skillet
Pot large enough for spaghetti
Spatula
Measuring cups/spoons (that aren’t metric)
Baking sheet

While I miss my mixer dearly, I have managed to bake most of my life without it, so I suppose it can’t be on the essentials list. I definitely don’t want to live in a world without this tomato knife though:

Thank you, Crate & Barrel.

I’m not producing elaborate Thanksgiving dinners every day or using fancy techniques for anything. I’m just trying to make simple healthy food that tastes good as often as possible. I’ll slowly start branching out, but for now I’m accepting my limitations and working with the basics. I have already surprised myself with some kitchen victories (more soon).

What can you not live without in your kitchen? Tell me in the comments!