For the past year I have been banned from buying new kitchen appliances. Once Abby and I got engaged, she decreed that I could not willfully purchase anything new for the kitchen because we would be getting wedding presents. She was immovable. So as Blake ground his own meat for hamburgers with a Kitchen Aid and made his own no-knead bread in a Dutch oven, I sat and read wondering when my day would come.
Well, the day after the wedding I sat with Abby and for the next hour or so we opened gift after gift that were all exclusively for us. And for someone who loves to cook, getting married is like having 25 Christmases piled into one glorious day. Sure, there are a couple other things sprinkled in for the apartment that are lovely and wanted. But the vast majority are centered around the kitchen, and, obviously, I'm in the kitchen a lot.
Yeah, those are rocks, martini, champagne, red, and white wine glasses sitting on my brand new table. See those herbs hanging out in the background? I've got a new Kitchen Aid, Cuisine Art Food Processor, Dutch oven, burr grinder, mandoline, ricer, blender, immersion blender, toaster, and so, so many more.
My All-Clad pan produced the most unbelievable pan sauce when I made Flattened Chicken Breasts with Shallot and White Wine Sauce. I've made Seasonal Ratatouille in my new 12 quart, stainless steel pot. And am finally attempting to my own no knead bread in my new dutch oven. I've been so humbled by the gifts I've received. I can hardly believe my luck.
I understand how people might be upset about getting a whole bunch of gifts they might not even no how to use. But the more I've thought about this the more I realized how integral the idea of cooking at home is tied to the concept of a family. It's kind of a sappy thought, but one I'm happy to indulge.
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I think that even people who "don't cook" will appreciate kitchen gifts. Take-out just isn't a feasible on-going meal plan for most newlyweds, and it's so nice to get a year or two into household life and look in your cupboard to find just the tool you need.
Congratulations, by the way
(Oh, and your gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce is a new family favorite in our house!)
Absolutely!
In fact I was at a buddies wedding in Alaska not too long ago and you should have seen his eyes light up when he unwrapped his new knife set (brand escapes me but it was sharp-no pun intended
).
Cheers!
Brian
I love your glassware! Mind if I ask what brand it is, I'm in desperate need of some new reds!
Ah, no problem. They are from Crate and Barrel.
congrats on getting married!! those are some pretty sweet gifts you guys got!
Whether someone cooks or not, I can't imagine anyone not appreciating the craftsmanship that goes into All-Clad pots & pans
awesome blog - I'll definitely be coming back!
"…. the more I've thought about this the more I realized how integral the idea of cooking at home is tied to the concept of a family."
Well put. I couldn't agree more.
Congratulations on your wedding.