Beep Beep Beep Goes My Kitchen

Much like “The Trolley Song” that Judy Garland made famous, my kitchen is as noisy as that trolley she sang about.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmx1L8G25q4

The stove beeps with every press of my finger, then it beeps three times when it’s preheated, and gives an extended, annoyed beep if I dare to open the door while the broiler is on.  It beeps if I open the oven while baking too– although I’m not sure how I’m supposed to exchange the cookie trays without opening the door.  A loud and long beep greets me should I decide to self-clean the oven, as though it dislikes this task as much as I do!

Then there’s my coffee maker….it beeps loudly when the coffee is made…even though I’m standing right in front of it, waiting for it to finish.

My dishwasher has a mind of its own.  Not only does it beep with every button I push, but also beeps three short beeps, then waits, and beeps three again, then waits and beeps a final three – to boast that it has successfully cleaned the load of dishes in a quick 2 ½ hours.  I’m just surprised that it doesn’t play the trumpet.

Let’s not forget the crockpot – once it warms up to the correct temperature, it sounds like a foghorn in the kitchen.

And then there’s my waffle iron – 5 beeps means it is hot and ready for the batter.  Three beeps means that it thinks the batter is fully cooked…sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong. 

Thankfully the microwave can be programmed so that all beeping can be silenced.  This is my one and only requirement for buying a microwave, even though I have to look deep into the owner’s manual to figure out how to turn off that irritating beep.

The dryer has the good sense to have a button that silences the beeping – the only polite appliance that I own.  Sigh.

Well, I have to go now….my washer is calling me.  You can probably hear it...all the way from The Artist's Inn, in Lancaster County! 

It’s a Good Thing for Cooks in Lancaster County

Guests were telling me about it, I saw the ads, and finally I got there myself. Phyllis Pellman Good, author of Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbooks (which have sold more than 9 million copies) has opened a cooking store.

It's called the Good Cooking Store and it's located in nearby Intercourse.  Add it to your list of fun things to do the next time you visit us at The Artist's Inn.

While other women like to shop for clothes or shoes, I am drawn to all things "kitchen"....so a store devoted entirely to cooking items is right up my alley. 

Right now, The Good Cooking Store is having a Grand Opening Event – it runs until February 12, so if you hurry, you’ll be there for special sales, demonstrations and tastings.

On the day I visited, J. Scott Martino, CEO of Cortazzo Foods, was handing out samples of his family’s spaghetti sauce..(no preservatives, no trans fats and gluten free)...and, best of all, made right here in Lancaster County. He used to work at Doneckers and we soon found out that some of his friends are some of my favorite chefs.....it’s a small world, after all.

I couldn’t decide between the Marinara or the Arrabbiata sauce, so naturally I bought both. I love the picture of his family on the label and am happy to support local products.

The store is brightly lit, not too big, and they have packed great quality and products into every inch. I ran into two friends from Terre Hill! They were as delighted as I was with the selection.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with one of the most expensive items in the store – this wonderful Staub enamel cookware.  No, I didn't get the roaster, but it's already on my Christmas list!

There are shiny new pans, containers, a nice selection of microplanes and bowls.  There was a great salsa bowl shaped like a red chile,

wonderful stacking bowls that would solve anyone's challenge for lack of shelf space,

a banana peel that doubles as a handle protector,

and the cutest cocktail picks shaped like nails.

So many great things in one spot!

I'm a gadget gal and loved seeing the display. 

You just never know when you'll need a banana slicer

 or a scrubby shaped like a mushroom

or an avocado slicer!

There's a whole line of cute stuff for cooking with kids.

I found my way upstairs where there was a gadget demonstration in progress. Of course I ended up buying a little flour duster and will use it to sprinkle confectioner’s sugar, cocoa on truffles or anything else that I can think of on dessert.

Oh yes, that brownie tasted even better once it was properly dusted.

This is the kitchen where they are planning to have cooking demonstrations soon - we'll keep you posted on those - and don't be surprised if you see me in class!

Here are some interesting quotes that I found on the wall in the store:

This is from the New York Times:  Good's books have sold more in the United States than the combined works of popular Food Network hosts Ina Garten, Giada de Laurentiis, and Jamie Oliver.

and

"The author who came in second to Rachel Ray in total foodie sales was Phyllis Pellman Good, who does not have a TV show."  - Publishers Weekly

Pretty darn impressive.  And right in our own backyard.  YAY for Lancaster!

I was almost done making my purchases, when I discovered the knives under the counter by the cash register. I was really intrigued by the ceramic knives by Kyocera – ten times sharper than metal, but very light. Tina, the Assistant Manager, explained that the knives are so sharp that you can cut a tomato without a serrated knife. Wow.

I sent more guests to the store this weekend. I think they’ll agree, and perhaps Martha would too, “It’s a good thing”.