I’ve grown to enjoy cooking since we got married. I’ve been able to experiment with different techniques. One of my current favorites is pan-searing premium cuts, such as rib-eye steaks. This technique is great during the winter when the grill is put away (Note to self: Talk wife into buying a Weber grill for the summer).
I’m still trying to assemble to the tools of the trade, though. During my single days, I discovered the joy of a pepper mill. It wasn’t expensive, just something that provided cracked pepper when a recipe called for it. I wasn’t too picky about the type of pepper either, which is funny because there are tons of different kinds. For example, I used a recipe this summer to cook a beef tenderloin (man, that’s a big ol’ piece of meat) seasoned with a medley of black, red and green peppercorns.
Well, my pepper mill choked on that combo and I’ve been without one since. But during her trip to the beach the past few days, my wife came through for me. While on a shopping trip, she called and asked if there was anything I needed or wanted from the cooking store. I told her that a pepper mill would be great, preferably a brushed metal one but wood would be fine to. To her credit, she picked up what looks to be a wonderful commercial pepper mill. The store – Ginny Gordon’s Gifts and Gadgets – apparently only carries this kind and has been selling them for more than 30 years.
I’m looking forward to giving it a test grind. I just have to find some good peppercorns.