The truth.
Israel is amazing.
My oven/stove top situation… is a disaster.
We inherited this thing with the place we are renting.
With so many seen and unforeseen moving expenses Hubby implored me to try to make it work. Well I am trying. Trying to give it a workout, the likes of which it has probably never seen in it’s seemingly very looong life. And the verdict, this thing is totally out of shape. I am used to boot camp cooking, yet it seems happy to just boil water, one very small pot at a time.
While I cry.
And Shabbos races in.
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At first when I saw it, after entering a comatose-like state, I started to celebrate. Because while I had this mini-me oven, “thankfully” I didn’t have a stove top and would have to be “forced” to buy a new “top-of-the-line-American” stove top. Yes I am using a lot of “quotes” simply because I feel like it. Hubby was upset because that meant one more unforeseen expense on a list of bills that was growing as our bank account was diminishing. I was doing the dance-of-joy because why should two people worry about the finances, where would the fun be in that?
As I began to dream about whether I needed 5 or 6 burners, which brand I should buy and if I should splurge on a milichig and fleishig cook top, something I had never had in the states…. mid-dream, I heard Hubby laugh.
And to hear him laugh is to know what it sounds like when somebody rains on your parade. He has this cackle (his mom has it too) and in all my adult life I have never heard anything like it. It’s the kind of sound that turns heads at both intimate dinner parties and lavish kiddushim. It’s the kind of sound that stops one dead in their tracks, mid sentence, mid breath. It’s the kind of sound that instantly makes you feel you want in on that joke. Except of course when you are that joke. Because while I am measuring counter tops and moving walls to make way for my commercial cook top in our rental kitchen, Hubby lifted this white thing you see here and found my new Israeli stove top.
And I have been crying ever since.
Of the 4 burners only 3 work, the 3 smallest. With the tiniest one no larger than a silver dollar.
Hence that small pot of water of which I spoke. And the kicker is this mini mart oven only has 1 rack that actually cooks, the other just sits there and looks pretty like a garish float at the Macy’s day parade. Well I looked none too pretty when I discovered that my 2 pans of Herb Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes would have to be cooked in 2 rounds. Likewise when I bought 6 “pounds” of ground beef to make Grandma’s Meatballs so that I would have enough to serve and freeze for later use I stared at this “thing” wondering how many shifts and hours I would have to dedicate to my 40 balls of ground beef. Yes I know none of these dishes sound all too exotic, or even Israeli but I guess, subconsciously when things are changing all around you, and life as you know it is upside down and your oven/stove top thingy is giving you the silent treatment – one resorts to comfort food, the kind of stuff that makes you feel all is right with the world.
What do you cook when you are stressed and overwhelmed with life?
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I have been using it for extra counter space when closed!
It’s REAL frustrating when you’re ready to bake and the oven isn’t cooperating! When the oven is on the “fritz” in her Israeli kitchen, my sister does use her backup—the Wonder Pot! My amazing hot Vegetable Barley Soup with Chinese noodles and a matzoh ball, floating on top, is my BEST comfort food! I always have some at the ready in my freezer in my Tupperware Freezermates. My second would be my Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter cookie bars!! BTW, it has a very low glycemic level! Hatzlacha!Remember meshana makom, meshana mazel!!
When I’m stressed.. I generally just eat. I don’t cook. But my comfort food… mac & cheese.
Pasta is definitely my go-to comfort food. And PB&J sandwiches!
I like to make lasagna when I’m stressed or overwhelmed. Lasagna is a good comfort food!
abfantom at yahoo dot com
When really stressed, I bake bread. Kneading gets my frustrations out – the smell in the house is wonderful when baking – and it tastes delicious warm out of the oven slathered in butter!
if you have a m/w you can make yummy choco cake!
5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
2 amazing appliance repair men-in the shemeshphone-HaSherut HaTov VehaMeitiv
0522407657 and also Electro Shmuel (Moshe)
0505250202. both are incredibly honest, helpful and mentschlich! -Sora Deetza
When I’m really angry, frustrated or upset, I bake bread and pasta … I really pound on that dough.
lol totally! BTW there are Ben and Jerry’s single serving (who eats single serving ice cream???!!!) and pints EVERYWHERE here – little freezers at the local stores and at the front of the supermarkets… guess they knew I was coming. I think I prefer B+Js only because of all the wacky stuff mixed in — I am a stuff in my ice cream kinda gal — even though I think actual Haagen Daaz ice cream is far superior.
I’m thinking hot fudge sundaes for dinner. After all you only need a little burner for heating the hot fudge. I remember getting Ben & Jerry’s in J’lem. This situation sounds like it calls for Haagen Daaz!
Mold is mold, and it’s not good. If you think you have it you ought to get it checked. Are there any signs of dampness or staining on the walls or ceiling?
Jamie,
My niece had the same problem with a new oven when she moved here.
Open the oven and check if there’s a removable metal plate anywhere in the oven. Israeli ovens come with large pans that slide out. If they are in the bottom or top of the oven they block the heat.
Hopefully that’s the problem and your DH will get another laugh and heave a sigh of relief once more.
Let us know!!!
A suggestion until you get the oven situation fixed:
Go to Mahane Yehuda; look for any shop with housewares; ask for a WONDER POT (get two – one milk, one meat).
Learn to bake (in the round) on top of the stove! Oh, and try to get that largest burner fixed – it might just have a clogged line.
Have you heard of the famous Israeli “Si’r Pele”(wonder pot)? When I first came to Israel over forty years ago that’s what we used if we didn’t have an oven. You can still buy them here, but make sure you get the bottom part as well which you place on top of the gas ring under the pot. That’s what turns the pot into an oven. Cakes turn out really well, but you can also use it for roasting chicken. Good luck, Savta Patricia
I know what you mean about credit card payments.. I detest that as well.. only in desparate situations .. but with an Israeli debit card it just takes the money out of your account.I have to keep a burner on when I cook with my American oven as I am trying to avoid using that measure myself.. 🙂
I can really sympathize! When I got married it was hard to go from using my mother’s BIG American oven (that we brought on aliyah) to this mini European oven! My comfort food would definitely be these amazing chocolate chip muffins my family has been making since forever. They come out delicious (in any oven) and fluffy and perfect!
Yael Bendahan
Jamie I’d still love to speak to you! 🙂
Shalom!
When I’m stressed out and exhausted, I tend to want a comfort food dish from my childhood, preferably one that is quick and easy to make. I usually end up preparing macaroni and cheese.
BS’D
Hi Jamie,
It is wonderful to follow your story—“Eretz Yisroel nikneit beyisurim” which means that EY is purchased with pain—it’s a special place and we learn to say thank you and smile a lot–but just know that I wrote the bulk of EnLITEned in a tiny rented apartment with 2 burners and 2 toaster ovens–keep smiling!
nechama
that’s the point I just despise working so hard (really cooking at all) and then not having it turn out right — it’s so depressing!
LOL!!!! am really really laughing!!! am crazy for coconut milk and its actually been a while since I grabbed a pint a blanket a spoon and cried… you totally brought me back to my single days…ice cream for dinner!
classic!
I love to EAT baked goods 🙂 to make them, not so much — I always run out of steam when it comes time to making dessert.
I consider it “cooking”!!! :-)!!! and utterly delish!
its something about carbs and stress – totally connected for sure!
oh what a headache am so sorry — but at least they come, right?
I also grab lots of carby cakey cookiey kinds of sweets when stressed… I was used to cooking/fitting 6 9×13 pans in my oven at once… one at a time is a HUMONGO adjustment
whoa baby MOLD???!! my kitchen actually has a slightly moldy/mildew-y kind of smell every now and then… but I don’t see anything…?
credit cards, payments — am trying to avoid all that 🙂 but good to know
oh Rachel ur awesome!!! AMEN to the kitchen of my dreams being somewhere here in Israel 🙂
AMEN!!! thank you and lol!
I like the veg soup shortcut idea! and love!!! grilled cheese
I try to think about how my entire cooking life and career started in a small 60 yr old kitchen in Far Rockaway… helps me a little 🙂 and LOL totally agree about the cookie dough!
our landlord isn’t responsible for the appliances the place didn’t come with any (we brought all of our own) save for this oven which was left here and has gone through at least 4 tenants. So we were “lucky” to inherit it — but are now stuck with fixing it.
Oh Jamie! I’m not sure what it is about this country, but I find that half the time baking is a disaster – recipes that have been tried and true for years! All my friends have experienced it as well – the most common problem being that baked goods are done on the outside and totally raw in the middle. My oven’s thermostat is totally off and I have to cook everything at the highest setting. And two out of four of my (electric! ack!) burners don’t work. Of the two that work, even if you only want one on they both have to be on! It’s comical. But, all that being said, I’ve gotten into a groove with the stupid thing, know its idiosyncrasies and am able to get along for the most part (although my last two quick breads totally sank…). Good luck! It gets better 🙂
Hatzlacha raba with the repairs! The one great benefit about the Israeli stovetop cover is that you can put a plata directly on it and the heat won’t melt your cabinets or shayesh… For gluten and dairy free comfort, a bowl of hot corn pasta with marinara or fresh tomato and veggie sauce and melted Daiya (tapioca) mozzarella cheese always does the trick. I also love Larabars! 🙂
That sounds horrible! To be around all this amazing food and then to have trouble simply cooking it? I’m so sorry.
When I’m tired and stressed, I make my ultimate comfort food – beef strogonof. Takes time to cook but I love it, especially leftovers the next day. Yummy!
I break out the ice cream maker and make cocnout milk vanilla choc. chip ice craem. Then I take the whole container and lock myself in my room.
How frustrating! I make chocolate chip cookies.
when I am stressed I made chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting annd banana muffins. I like to cook, I Love to bake.
I doubt this is considered as “cooking” but a cup of hot cocoa with a huge mound of whipped cream and a little cinnamon cures the most stressful situations.
My stress to go food is pasta. A nice batch of lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs. Always a winner at my house!
chocolate chip cookies always save the day! Except my oven is also broken and fortunately under warranty. So they keep coming to fix it even though from day 1 it was terrible. Go figure and it’s an American oven! So I’m always forced to bake them in my downstairs electric oven where I can rely on the temperature!
When we made Aliyah we had 2 burners and a toaster. I was soo excited when we got our oven thinking I would be able to cook so much more and quicker. Boy was I wrong. I can only fit one 9×13 pan in. Cooking for shabbat takes a bunch of hours so sometimes I start Thursday night.
When I am stressed I make oatmeal raisin cookies because that reminds me of my grandmother. She taught me how to bake and when I am stressed a cookie always makes me happy. 🙂
When we moved into our rental house, it had no oven, just a stovetop, I had one of those electic turkey roasters that I used as a meat oven (with a transformer)and we bought a large toaster oven to use for milchigs. People were amazed that I could make challah in a toaster oven. We finally convinced the landlord to redo the kitchen (I couldn’t handle the mold on the walls inside and in back of the cabinets), and I bought an oven. Yes, it’s small and doesn’t fit my roasting pan, and it’s not self-cleaning, but at least I’m cooking in Israel.
When I’m stressed, I make bread.
I was feeling stressed today. I made chicken on top of sweet potatoes,carrots and white potatoes.
Sounds like you are having an adventure with your oven. I hope you solve it soon. If it helps, you can get a new Israeli oven with payments on an israeli credit card if you really need to. It’s something I consider when my American oven breaks down as it can be expensive to fix..since it’s imported.
I am very sorry that you are going through this… but I have to say it is a little bit of a relief that Wonder-aliyah Woman is having her moments/challenges too! I believe, deep down, that the kitchen – and stove – of your dreams is somewhere here in Neve Daniel waiting for the next chapter of your life. ; )
Seriously, since we all have to “conquer the land”, it is somewhat befitting that yours will be through cooking!
Yasher Koach for your candor! Come cook out here any, any time….
Grilled cheese, grilled cheese, and grilled cheese!! and you dont even need to use a stove top for that! hatzlacha with all.
when i am rushing i try to make grilled cheese sandwiches and a quick vege soup using some marinera sauce as a tomato-y base. i just use whatever veges i have in the fridge. quick and easy.
Oh gosh! I can imagine the horror after leaving your beautiful American kitchen! We dealt with a similar scary kitchen situation in our old apartment. After my initial horror, I learned to make do. We had two small squares of counter and no upper cabinets and a similar tiny stove and fridge. I don’t know how we managed 2 years in that apartment.
When I just want pure comfort food, I make cook up some buttery pasta with garlic and parmesan cheese. If I am stressed and need to keep myself a bit busier, I love to do a lot of chopping – a soup maybe. Or I mix up a batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Always comforting. And if my oven isn’t working, I can just eat the dough, right? Just kidding.
Can you ask the landlord to send someone to fix it?
I’ve gotten used to my little oven(s) here, although I cried a lot over it, too. And had to get rid of some of my baking pans that Just. Wouldn’t. Fit.
Oh – and what I cook when I’m stressed? Soup. Lots of soup.