A Penny for Food

I have been eyeing a couple of handy gadgets for the Dorm Culinaire kitchen. They are not essential but are just something that I would really like to have on hand, for they would make life so much easier without occupying too much space in the room or digging deep into your pockets: two constraints that every college student has. I do not in any way advocate filling up your room with every little gadget that you can possibly lay your hands on, but some well thought out purchases can go a great way to filling up those ever hungry student stomachs or whipping up something to quieten that midnight growling while studying for that all-important test you have next morning. The first one, a handheld blender. It is so useful in any kitchen. And it increases the scope of what you can prepare to include drinks (smoothies, juices, shakes). Tired of those chumky soups, I can puree it up now. This is top of my wishlist at the moment. The other gadget is a Sandwich Press or Panini Press, whateve...

What every kitchen requires in order to dish out good food is not much. People think that restaurants produce such great food because they have lots of equipment. Pots, pans, loads of knives, blenders, food processors, ovens, microwaves and lots of other devices which require utmost delicacy to handle. Well, they do have all that and they spend a fortune for all that. But, then, they make a fortune too. I, on the other hand, get a little allowance every month, usually at the beginning, which I have to utilize till the end. What do I do in such a situation? Well, I team up with some of the seven hungry souls that I promise to feed, and I go and win some contests and use up that prize money to get the necessary equipment. The following is a list of the bare essentials required for any Dorm Room Cook (What I have with me is marked with a *): *Heat source : Preferably something that won't burn the building down. Gas supply is a big NO-NO! *Cooking vessel : This is what you cook in. You...