Desmond and I went to see a good friend, Maureen, during the Christmas break for a wonderful meal consisting of Mediterranean style cous cous, jerk chicken, rice and beans and a variety of delicious salads.  I was amazed at the array of tantalizing dishes and effort she had made for us, but not half as amazed as when she announced she didn’t actually own a cooker!  I was flabbergasted since I myself could not survive without this basic amenity as I am of sure many of you would agree.   However, Maureen and her partner did an amiable job all with the aid of a pressure cooker, a raclette grill (think George Forman style) and the microwave.  Of course, electricity helps but it did get me thinking about what if must have been like in the days before the cooker, electricity, even before the Aga in fact.  Cypriots, and most people originating from the Mediterranean would have a lot to say about this, the main word being, Barbecue.  In fact, some logs, coal, leaves and paper could work up a good fire and instant stove for cooking practically anything.  Go to any remote village anywhere in the world and you’ll see this happening today.  Stone ovens, wood fires, food buried in the ground all work perfectly.  Maureen did say she’d love an oven but because of the tiny space she has, more shoe box than kitchen, she’s limited to her choices.  I had a look around for what’s on the market for those living in a tiny space or with cramped kitchens and no budget for an extension.  Surprisingly, there’s quite a lot on the market, here’s a selection to get you started:

Most are known as kitchenettes, or mini kitchens and one company that specialises in compact fittings is John Strand (www.johnstrand-mk.co.uk/home/kmk11.shtml)

Spanning no more than 1000cm width x 600cm depth x 2000cm height, this is sophisticated and stylish looking with a reasonable price tag of only £515 plus VAT. 

Most kitchenettes come with a variety of options including, with or without hotplates, Microwave and pan drawer, backboard and taps.

Another company worth a look is Ikea.  Always known for their innovation and good prices, they do a kitchenette known as the Varde free standing kitchen which you can actually put together yourself at very little cost.  Try their website for more details www.ikea.co.uk

Finally, for those with a largish budget looking for luxury try www.crabttreekitchens.co.uk where you could have your own kitchen designed and handmade to your own specification.

Cooking without the cooker

Finally, for those of you without a cooker or limited by space then try grilling your meat or fish using a healthy grill such as the George Forman version you can get at most good retailers including Argos www.argos.com To serve try making a simple salad of Italian lettuce leaves, sun dried tomatoes and a some grated parmesan dressed with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil and all served with some crusty bread warmed in the microwave.  Hey presto and all done in less than 30 minutes!

1) Cooker PHOTO: You do not need this!

2) Kitchenette photo: Highly functional, Kitchenettes are ideal for studio flats

3) Close kitchen photo: A close up of a Kitchenette, doesn’t it look cute?

4) Ikea kitchen: Ikea offer great deals on basic kitchens

5) Foreman photo: A Foreman grill or raclette reduces the amount of fat in our food and with its non-stick surface it is easy to clean after!

6) Fish Photo: Reclettes are also great for cooking fish!

7) Jerk Chicken: Switching over to leaner meat, you can cook recipes like Jamaican Jerk Chicken on a raclette grill.

8) Coucous photo: If you figure out how to use a ralette you can always make cous cous

9) Microwave photo: Not always recommended by health experts, but Microwaves can make your life easy!

10) Chef photo: Did I mention? Kitchenettes only have room for one chef!

11) Veg photo: Your colourful ingredients

12) Salad photo: Try making salad

13) Olive oil photo: Olive oil for your salads

14) Don’t forget salt and pepper (Turkish style)!