You may wonder how I could prepare and cook what I blog with such a small, compact kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, I do complain and dream of a larger one someday but the size of my present kitchen doesn’t stop me from doing what I love best. After all, when it comes to kitchens, it is still the passion for cooking that matters most.
I have used big kitchens before and with long counter space, I tend to use every bit of it. Kung anu-anong nakapatong sa counter. Funny how your cooking habit changes when you’re working on a small one.
This kitchen may be small but I keep it very efficient. With a less than modest space for preparation, I always keep the benchtop clear of unnecessary clutter. Rubbish bin and incinerator underneath the sink. Gadgets and appliances neatly tucked away when not in use. My microwave is permanently inside the cupboard.
Overall, I am liking it. High-pressure benchtops, sleek, minimalist, user-friendly and easy maintenance. Everything is built-in. Under the electric 2-zone ceramic hob is the oven. To its right is a moderate-size dishwasher which I find very, very useful. Saves water, saves time, good to your working hands. Drawers of varying sizes for cutlery, dinnerware, utensils and crockery.
This post is for Lasang Pinoy, Sundays. My Kitchen.
Below is a photo of my first kitchen in New Zealand. It is just a wee bit larger and I love its cozy breakfast counter. But with my present living and dining area overlooking the Auckland Harbour and Rangitoto Island, I wouldn’t trade my compact kitchen for the world!
My father, a farmer in his hometown before working his way to becoming an accountant, definitely influenced my cooking in a lot of ways than I thought. My siblings and I were raised in a backyard full of fruit trees and vegetable garden. We spent weekends and the summer breaks running around with ducks, chickens, goats and pigs. I had wonderful memories of gathering eggs, butchering chickens, selling vegetables and the sweet aroma of preserved fruits. But my love for art led me to a degree in Architecture. Just few months after getting my license, I went abroad and lived independently at age 23. Definitely no maid, no cook, and a totally different food culture. Along the way I met lots of friends and spent what seemed a lifetime learning new tricks and recipes.
Now living in Auckland, I am a work-from-home mum who juggles time between work, fun and family - in pursuit of work-life balance. No matter how busy I am, I love the idea of cooking for my family. My blog chronicles home cooking greatly influenced by life outside my home country from Southeast Asia to Beijing and Auckland. And most of the time, being busy also means easy (sometimes quick), affordable meals.
compact but organized this would also mean you are less likely to buy anything excessive…which is good esp. nowadays db? i like how you keep it clean and uncluttered:) but i like your first stainless clad kitchen too:) that would be close to my ‘dream’ kitchen:)
ces´s last blog post..Lasang Pinoy, Sundays: from my kitchen‚Ķto yours
I have to agree with you and Ces, and you kept your kitchen so clean. I can see your grocery cart in red too hehe!
Gmirage´s last blog post..Lasang Pinoy Sundays – Maus‚Äô Kitchen
I love the minimalist look. Too bad it doesn’t fit well with my pack rat lifestyle
Lovely kitchen, Iska!
with that view, i wouldn’t trade it either! and i hear you. more space, more clutter. love that your gadgets can ‘hide’ in their own garage when you’re not using them. thanks for sharing.
raquel´s last blog post..Bottle Gourd and Flour Vermicelli Soup (Upo sa Miswa)
its a killer kitchen! love that you built in mostly everything. love your incinerator and dish washer. don’t have them. they still remain my dream appliances, especially now that the children are grown and we have stopped the services of a household helper.
your kitchen looks like a showcase.. so tidy and organized. wish mine looked like this :oD
Jescel´s last blog post..Sweet Challah
love your compact kitchen. i do the same..when i have lots of space, i tend to clutter it with abubots.
luna miranda´s last blog post..Weekend Snapshot: Rizal Shrine
‘It’s not about the size, but it’s how you use it’ that’s what I learned when I moved to Europe. Kaya I like your kitchen, Iska! Well organized and just right for a small family. I love love the built-ins too.
i love the last pix
coz i dream of some waht like that too on a compact sized 
my entry is here
magandang araw ka-lasa-ista
Salamat sa pagbisita
Jay´s last blog post..La.Pi.S # 40: my KITCHEN
sleek, minimalist and efficient! galing! i admire you for being able to keep your kitchen free of clutter. hindi yata kaya ng powers ko yun. haha!
Munchkin Mommy´s last blog post..Mamon (Filipino Sponge Cake)
Wow that looks fab! I want one of those! Hehehe!
By the way, tagged you here…
http://maver.wifespeaks.com/2009/03/grateful.html
maver´s last blog post..
I like the 2nd and 3rd picture. I would want to have a kitchen just like that, someday.
BOTH kitchens are gorgeous! Sleek and clean.
Nahiya tuloy ako sa kusina ko. Hahaha.
Toni´s last blog post..Ginisang ampalaya at tokwa (sauteed bitter gourd with tofu)