Welcome. We're so glad you could join us today. This week's post was written by Anita, and her topic will awaken your adventurous spirit and make your tummy grumble . :) That's right; we're talking about kitchen appliances.
Summer is upon us. Usually, summer is when I do a lot of cooking since I am a teacher and have more free time now than I do during the school year. About a week ago, I purchased an electric skillet to add to my kitchen collection. What I like about it, aside from the fact it only costed around $30, is that it is very big. They had smaller ones, but as a blind cook, I like things bigger and deeper. It is deep enough, but not as deep as I thought it would be. Anyway, I also like the fact that I do not have to worry about it moving as I am frying my potatoes like I do my skillet on the stove. My house is older, and some of the floors in it are slightly inclined, meaning my stove was at an incline, and so things wanted to slide toward the front of my stove. Recently, a family member made an attempt at leveling my stove using some sort of board, and so now at least things are more likely to slide toward the back instead of the front. Anyhow, the counter beside the stove is level, meaning my new skillet does not move when I use it. When purchasing this appliance, I made sure it did not have a digital display. I placed a bump dot on its dial so I could mark the temperature I like for my potatoes. What I like about using the stove or the electric skillet is that even when I don't mark them, I can use the rate at which food is cooking to confidently set my temperature whereas the oven, while it can be done in this way to an extent, is best made accessible through labeling.
Aside from my electric skillet, I also have an air fryer, which I likely have mentioned before. It is a healthier choice because grease does not need to be added to most foods, and when it is, only a small amount of grease is required. Also, it is safer since the shell and basket slide completely inside the unit and the machine does not begin working until the unit locks into place; consequently, grease cannot splatter on the cook, and newer cooks can feel more confident at using it.
In addition to the electric skillet and air fryer, I have a rice cooker, which, it turns out, is a pasta cooker, as well. I am not a big fan of rice, but I wanted to use this to steam vegetables. I bought it when I purchased the electric skillet. I also made sure it does not have a digital display; they had one that did. Mine has six buttons shaped kind of like a braille cell lying on its side. The top row of buttons are for cooking pasta and the bottom three are for rice. When you push the button, it cooks for a given amount of time. I will ask a friend or family member which setting might be best for my cooked vegetables. It has other tactile markings, a 1 cup and a 1/2 cup are raised and easy to feel. Very accessible. Years ago, I used a rice cooker that had a basket with it. I put water under the basket and placed the vegetables inside the basket. In my new rice cooker, there is no basket. I did not realize this until I brought it home, but I shall experiment with it. Also, its middle pasta setting should cook macaroni good for macaroni and cheese since it is a ten-minute set time.
My microwave is also a useful kitchen tool for me. There are microwaves that are talking, like the one at Blind Mice Mart, but I simply use bump dots to label the one I purchased at Walmart a while back. I also have a toaster, a coffee pot used by Shannon, AKA S. J. Wells during her visits since I don't drink coffee and am too lazy to make tea in it, and a hotdog maker that I got at some sort of yard sale and never use. I have several crockpots that I do use quite often. One thing to realize about a crockpot is that there is a crockpot which cooks faster, but there is also a slow cooker, which cooks slower. Both units have settings for low, medium, and high, but the difference between the two is the crockpot will get a meal done in four hours on low whereas a slow cooker will get it done in eight. Therefore, those of you like me who want to allow your food to cook for long periods unattended will want the slow cooker model.
So, as you can see, I have many different kitchen appliances, not all listed in this post. We are all unique, and so we don't all have to have the same ones. But some help us to eat healthier, and some help us to just enjoy food. Some help us to build cooking skills as blind cooks more easily than others, but many can be' or are already, accessible to the totally blind cook. If you are a new cook, but you do not have access to someone who can directly teach you non-visual cooking techniques, start by learning safety tips, such as keep handles turned toward the center of the stove, know how to store foods, etc. Also, you might want to start with the toaster, microwave and air fryer appliances since they are probably the units that are the easiest to work with. SHANNON and I do not accept any responsibility for any injuries or damages to anyone or any property due to anything written on these posts. Sometimes experimenting is the way to build skill, whether it be cooking or any skill. And remember, with summer upon us, learning to prepare salads and drinks can be a great way to start your kitchen adventures. Lots of practice will build your confidence and skill level in the kitchen.
By the way, like everyone else, blind people have all different interests. So while we do intend to teach and discuss issues related to blindness on this blog, sometimes, we may share our other interests as well. For example, I love reading, writing, and exploring. So don't be surprised if you read a post, and wonder: "What does this have to do with blindness?"
And now, put down your technology so you can go dig out that swimsuit. :) Have a great summer, but please remember to stop by each week to visit us here at the blog. Next week's post is another edition of Interviews to Empower. The gentleman we will be featuring is someone you won't want to miss.
Be blessed.
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