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Your son or daughter is venturing out into the world, leaving the nest for
that first apartment. Or perhaps you're out on your own suddenly following
some lifestyle change. Regardless of your circumstances, if you're going
solo, you may be facing the prospect of having to prepare meals for
yourself, maybe for the first time in your life. Before you swear that
you'll just eat out at every meal, consider that the savings you'll reap
from staying in could eventually be used to contribute to a vacation, a
bigger apartment or even a first home. Even if you're a novice in the
kitchen, it's a good idea to have a few basic appliances on hand that will
serve your needs regardless of your skill level.
Blender: For starters, buy yourself a top-of-the-line blender. An
excellent blender can double as a beverage-maker and a food processor of
sorts, although you don't want to experiment very much with its food
processing capabilities; you run the risk of breaking your blender. But
higher-end models can blend, mix and puree everything from soups to dips
and sauces. And, of course, those blenders come in handy for mixed drinks,
smoothies and milkshakes, among other cold beverages. Purchase a blender
with multiple settings and speeds, and a glass container as opposed to
plastic.
Microwave: Many first-time homebuyers are shocked to discover that their
new homes don't come with microwaves. Aren't these as basic as doors and
windows? Believe it or not, the answer is no. Perhaps it's because there
are still alien homeowners who live among us ... strange folks who never
use a microwave. How is this possible, you wonder? Some people still prefer
to heat their foods on a stove top. Rumor has it they taste better when
heated there. Food certainly cooks more evenly on the stove, but when it
comes to convenience, there's no competition for the microwave. You'll need
one ... even if you swear you don't.
Hand-held or stationary mixer: Sometimes a wire whisk isn't enough to
break up those clumps. If you're trying to mix a thick batter with a whisk,
good luck to you. You're going to become tired very quickly, and your
batter won't assume the proper consistency. Whether you purchase a
hand-held or stationary mixer really depends on your preferences, your
desire for convenience and your budget. If you're a multitasker who wants
to walk away from the mixer while it's running, a stationary is probably a
better choice for you, although you don't want to desert your machine for
too long. A hand-held mixer will usually do the job just as well, and most
of them aren't expensive. The price difference between hand-held and
stationary mixers is about $10 to $15 (hand-held) to approximately $200 for
a stationary mixer -- possibly more if it's one of the new, chic and
ultramodern chrome models or retro colored models.
A decent set of knives: Ask any emergency room physician how many patients
he or she sees as a result of knife slips. This painful scenario nearly
always occurs because someone used a dull knife to do a tough job -- cut an
apple, slice a bagel in half, etc.
Top-of-the-line can opener: Us single folks would be lost without a can
opener, so make sure you've got yourself a good one. Not one of those
medieval contraptions that soon becomes rusty and tortures your hand. Shell
out a few more dollars, and purchase a nice, big can opener covered with
tough plastic. You can always purchase an electric one, of course, just be
sure to keep it clean after each use. The blades on electric can openers
can trap bacteria very easily.
Toaster oven: These are handy appliances, and some of us need them more
than others. Aside from their obvious use -- thick bagels, English muffins
(or English muffins covered with cheese and/or pizza sauce, something you
could never prepare in a traditional toaster), you can use toaster ovens to
cook or bake very small quantities of food. You'll use less energy and less
time than you would with your larger conventional oven.
Food processor: A good food processor can pick up where your blender
leaves off. In contrast to your blender, which is used primarily for
pureeing and light mixing, a food processor can chop, dice, grate and grind
ingredients too tough to place in a blender. And they work their magic
within seconds.
Bread machine: Don't laugh. You don't have to be Julia Child to put one of
these to good use. Everyone eats bread, period. Bread machines have never
been more affordable; many of them are selling for around $90, and some
even less. You can either create your own bread mix in minutes, or purchase
a ready-made mix at your local grocery store. Add water and yeast, turn
your machine on, and about three and a half hours later, the heavenly smell
of bread drifts through your home. What could be easier? You also have the
option of modifying the loaf size to meet your needs.
Even those of us who initially claim to have no need for the above-listed
appliances soon inevitably grow tired of the endless peanut butter
sandwiches and must give in to the need to cook something. It's never been
faster or more convenient to practice basic cooking at home. You'll be
amazed at how much money you'll save eating at home more often. And with a
little help from these basic necessities, you'll be even more amazed that
yes, you can cook after all.
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