10 Things I Forgot I Had

by Lynne on June 30, 2011

Post image for 10 Things I Forgot I Had

Meat Grinder

If you have been following my blog, you know that I moved recently after 18 years in my previous house. Going through everything, preparing to pack, was like an archeological dig, particularly the closets and the garage. I had boxes I hadn’t opened since we moved in there, or I discovered things that had disappeared behind and under other stuff in the house years ago. Another treasure trove were the two utensil drawers in my kitchen, which were narrow and deep and packed full. So here are 10 things I forgot I had, and was so happy and amused to rediscover.

1. Meat Grinder – I inherited this meat grinder (photo above) from my mother, although I don’t remember her ever using it. I think she inherited it from her mother, my Grandma Gertrude, who absolutely did not cook. So Grandma must have inherited it from my Great Grandmother, who was from Norway and was the gourmet of the family. I like to imagine that meat grinder came over on the boat from Norway and came through Ellis Island on its journey to Minnesota. I used it in the 1970s before the advent of the food processor to grind nuts for a Polish pastry, similar to rugalach. It was in a box buried in the garage.

Bone Caviar Spoon

2. Bone Caviar Spoon – I bought this caviar spoon about 25 years ago when my husband and I were first together. We were having his father, sister and brother over for dinner for the first time and I wanted to make an impression on how chic I was serving the caviar. I haven’t used it since. Maybe I should. The spoon in its velvet pouch was in the bottom of the kitchen drawer.

Potato Ricer

3. Potato Ricer – I lost this stainless steel potato ricer in my house or garage about 10 years ago. I could not find it for the life of me. At one point I needed a ricer so badly that I bought another one made of white plastic. So when the lost ricer showed up in a box in the garage I was so relieved because it proved that 1) I actually had a SS ricer and 2) that I hadn’t lost it. Seniors worry about this kind of thing. So now I have a Mr. and Mrs. Potato Ricer.

Japanese Vegetable Slicer

4. Japanese Vegetable Slicer – This was an impulse buy at Bristol Farms a few years ago and I have never used it. It was on a shelf in the metal cabinet I have in the garage where I keep all my cooking and baking equipment. Bottom shelf behind other stuff. I still think this is a trick gadget,  but I can’t figure out what I would use the itsy bitsy circular strands for. Maybe deep fry them for a garnish? Let me know if you can think of anything.

Terrine Mold

5. Terrine Paté Mold – My oldest son gave this to me when I was in culinary school. We were learning French Continental Cuisine, including meat and vegetable terrines and patés. I am thinking I should make something really interesting with aspic, then plate the slices with an interesting sauce drizzled over. I’m glad I found this in my hall closet. Hmmm. The creativity juices are beginning to flow.

Grandma's Silver Spoon

6. Grandma’s Silver Sugar Spoon – This silver spoon resided in my Grandma Gertrude’s sugar bowl my whole childhood. It turned up in some stuff in my garage and I was immediately transported back to her kitchen. When she died, my mom inherited the spoon and it went in our sugar bowl at home. My mom died when I was 19 and when my father was to remarry a year later, he wanted to give all of my mom’s and grandmother’s treasures to his new bride. Well, guess what, I still have that spoon that I surreptitiously kept for myself. Actually, my step mom didn’t want his previous wife’s treasures, but that is another long story.

Cookie Mold

7. Cookie Mold – I always wondered what happened to this mold, usually around Christmas, but was too busy to attempt to find it. I think I bought this from a mail order catalog and now that it is found, I’m going to have to make some of them. Fun.

Ice Cream Maker

8. Ice Cream Maker – This was one of those gifts you give to someone you live with because it is actually something you want to use yourself. I gave it to my husband. I wanted to make licorice ice cream which used black licorice candy that was melted in the cream. This was before it was discovered that black licorice was carcinogenic. He in turn gave me a rowing machine. LOL.

Fregola Sarda

9. Fregola Sarda – I bought this bag of toasted pasta at the little store at Osteria Mozza when I went there last year. I have a definite squid recipe in mind that I am going to use it for. This bag was hiding at the back of the cupboard where I kept all my pasta, lentils and beans. I was really glad to reacquire it as it is so interesting.

Animal Head Skewers

10. Skewers with Brass Animal Heads – These skewers are probably the item I have searched my house and garage the most for in the last couple of years. The problem is I would only use them in the summer for grilling. So when summer was over, I would stash them someplace and then, a year later, forget where they were when I wanted to use them again. I wanted to use them for the bacon wrapped shrimp I made, but couldn’t find them at the time. Well, now that they have turned up, I have them in my utensil drawer in the new kitchen. So don’t let me forget where I put them, ok?

I hope my story inspires you to clean out your garage and empty your closets. You never know what hidden treasures you may find.

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Adair @ Lentil Breakdown June 30, 2011 at 11:45 pm

This was a unique and delightful read, but going through my crap is the last thing I want to do! Thanks, but I’m happy to live vicariously through you!

polwig July 1, 2011 at 6:44 am

Beautiful things… I especially love skewers even if they are hard to find… I love the stories that go with each of them. BTW I have a spoon from my dad too that I took, probably the only tangable thing that did not go to the new wife but now where did I put it?

Wendy P July 1, 2011 at 7:07 am

The meat grinder! My mom had one of those. She is NOT a cook. I’m pretty sure the only thing she ever made with it was “ham” salad made with bologna and pickles and stuff. Blechhhh!

Now you know why I set my mind to be a very good cook.

Jen b. July 1, 2011 at 11:16 am

Yep… I’ve got my great-grandmother’s meat grinder somewhere and can’t find it for the life of me…..
The silver sugar spoon…. gorgeous!!!!

Michael / South Bay Foodies July 1, 2011 at 5:30 pm

That meat grinder is sweet as are the stories of handed down items. As for inspiring me to clean my garage/closets/etc., the recovery of items with sentimental values is one of the main reasons I never tackle this chore! A task that should take just an hour or so takes all day because I end up reminiscing over ever little bauble that I find. Sometimes, the walks down memory lane are worth it though.

Kim July 13, 2011 at 8:50 pm

Wow. These are some wonderful things! I’m especially amused by the rowing machine your husband gifted you. It reminds me of when my husband bought his wife (at the time) a bread maker and she bought him some speakers. 😛

I look forward to seeing how you use # 5.

[K]

brenda October 16, 2012 at 4:02 pm

I have this spoon in the picture above and would like to know what it is worth, Thank you very much. waiting to hear from you .

Lynne October 16, 2012 at 4:42 pm

Hi Brenda ~ This spoon only has sentimental value to me because it belonged to my Grandma. I don’t know what it is worth otherwise. It’s nice to know there is a kindred spirit out there who loves old things. Thanks for stopping by my blog and letting me now about your spoon. Lynne xo

how to make shish kabob February 4, 2013 at 5:52 pm

Wow, this article is pleasant, my sister is analyzing such things,
so I am going to tell her.

Janet September 4, 2013 at 4:44 pm

The meat grinder is an instrument of torture to the oldest daughter in the family (me). I ground leftover overcooked pot roast to turn it into sandwich filling. I ground cabbage to make cole slaw because that is how Dad had it in the Navy. I ground razor clams to make clam chowder. When I went into the Peace Corps I found one in our house, and used it to turn tough meat into hamburger, and later made Swedish Potato Sausage when we got back home.
I have an electric one now, and never use it.

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: