I remember a brief period in my time on this rock when we didn't have a microwave, but I was too young to be anywhere near cooking appliances to understand the experience. Eventually one did arrive. As I grew older with one at my beck and call it became the end all be all and I treated the stove like a second class citizen. The microwave did everything for me. Every conceivable food item that needed heat thrown at it went to the microwave. I'd shudder if some sort of food item COULDN'T be nuked. At one point in college I even used it to dry out some damp (clean) socks. (Thank you Uncle Buck.) Ya. When in doubt nuke it!
The Awesome Fiancee had a microwave that went out in a blaze of glory. Literally. As fate would have it the prior owners of our charming estate left us a titanic microwave. It was a Model T of microwaves. It was as big as an old TV and took what seemed like an eternity to heat things up. Not all of the parts on it always worked but alas we decided to hang onto it because it was a working microwave. We used it when it was convenient and didn't really think about replacing it. Our biggest concern at the time was where do we fit it on the counter? Our kitchen is modest and the titanic sized microwave wasn't helping our cause. It had slowly sucked the life out of the counter. The sink would fill up with the dirty dishes from breakfast and by the end of dinner they had migrated to the stove top. We decided we really don't have room in the kitchen for it and it wasn't blowing anyone away with its heating prowess so after very little deliberation we gave it the heave ho. I wondered what it would be like not having the capability to warm up left overs in 3 minutes or cook a meal in 5, or cook popcorn as easily, or rejuvenate that dying cup of coffee. The Awesome Fiancee on the other hand didn't seem to be as concerned. She knew something I didn't. She could see beyond the great beyond. She could see a time that people once knew when life was simpler and people with pacemakers didn't have to hide. She saw life without a microwave and didn't shudder. She assured me everything would be just fine and ironed out my food concerns: yes popcorn can be made on a range top, leftovers of all types can be reheated in a saucepan and we can still create fine dinners just not as quickly.
I don't remember the last time I yearned for a microwave and I haven't screwed up any meals due to the lack of the microwave. Not a one. All the meat makes its way out of the freezer early in the day and the range top takes care of heating up everything just fine. Leftovers? No problem there either. Beet risotto with walnuts and goat cheese? Range top took care of it. Chicken and rice? Done. Lentils? Steaming on the plate. When we registered for our wedding I never even thought to suggest a microwave. Thanks but no thanks we're all set, we don't want one.
saucepan!
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