Pinch My Salt

Food, Recipes, and Photography

The Minimalist Kitchen

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Just saw a great Mark Bittman video and read the accompanying article on NYTimes.com about equipping an entire kitchen for $200-300. Although I am as guilty of lusting over ridiculously expensive kitchen equipment as the next foodblogger, living here in Sicily has really made me step back and think about what is actually “essential” in a kitchen. In a country where electricity is expensive and limited, I quickly learned that packing away my stand mixer, food processor and blender not only freed up counter space, but didn’t really put many limitations on what was coming out of my kitchen. We lived in an Italian villa for two years and rather than use a transformer to get my U.S. 110v appliances to work in my Italian 220v kitchen, I really did pack them all away. I purchased a 220v Braun hand mixer that had some useful attachments and an inexpensive food mill. I learned to love my knives, I rediscovered the joy of kneading bread by hand, and I realized that the pleasures of cooking really have nothing to do with the price or quantity of your kitchen equipment.

Ok, now I have to admit something. We are currently living in military housing and our place is equipped with European and American electrical outlets. After our move, my appliances came out of storage and I do use them from time to time. But, my perspective on what is truly essential in a kitchen has definitely been altered and with our next move, I really plan on downsizing my kitchen quite a bit.

Check out the video and article by Mark Bittman while they are still available at the New York Times site and if you have never shopped in a restaurant supply store for your home kitchen, check out your local yellow pages and go find one!

Video can be found here. Article is here.

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Comments

  1. Interior Design Ideas says

    Minimalist design is always the humble choice of middle class families. All cant afford those large contemporary designs. Our kitchen is small too, but it is well decorated and have all the necessary items in it.
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  2. kitchen equipment says

    I completely agree, I try to run something of a minimalist kitchen but that's mainly because purchasing kitchenaid and magimix mixers is simply not affordable right now. A good set of 3-4 knives and a steady hand is all you really need... And perhaps a lot more time. Thanks for sharing! John.
    Reply

  3. Lana says

    Nicole, I grew up in Serbia and we did not have many appliances. My mother managed to feed us wonderfully prepared food, fresh, tasty, and creative, and treat us with a baked goods almost every day. I know it can be done, apprenticing under her before college. I can relate to your experiences in Italy, knowing the sizes of European kitchens, especially in urban areas. Lusting after easier, better, and more (how easy it is to become an over-consumer!), my husband and I filled our American kitchen to the brim. We had room aplenty. But the recession struck, and we had to trade all the space for a tiny apartment. A garage sale took care of most of my stuff, after the friends and relatives got what they wanted. I cook and bake more then ever, living in a minimalist kitchen, using just a few small appliances. And nobody complains:) I have started reading your blog from the archives, having fallen in love with it following the Summer Fest. And my file on your recipes to try grows every day. Thanks!
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