I’ve been resisting the Salad Spinner for years now. In the same way that I scoff at the Kitchen Aid Mixer (sorry, Kelli), I haughtily declared that I can dry lettuce with my hands. Who needs another space-hogging item in an already crowded kitchen? Side note for people who do not yet have children: you may think you really need the juicer or the crepe pan, but what you will really need is cabinet space for art supplies. Lockable cabinet space. Make a note to yourself.
So yeah, I was against the salad spinner. But lately I’ve been making a lot more salads, and I must say, the idea of washing and drying lettuce on some days is enough to make me opt out. I can bring a salad for lunch tomorrow, I think, and then of course when I’m making my lunch the next morning as a toddler crawls up my leg and my coffee just splashed down my shirt, I grab canned Chef Boyardee Ravioli, instead. (mmm, with chocolate milk, it’s the perfect meal)
I want to eat more salads, though, so over the last few months, a little voice has been telling me to try the salad spinner. Just try it. Then last weekend I was killing time in a kitchen supply store while my new glasses were being made at Lenscrafters, and I came upon a salad spinner display. I played with them and chose the cheapest one.
Internet. Do you have a salad spinner? Do you like salads? IS THE SKY BLUE? Why on Earth have I gone this long without one?
Another part of the spinner’s allure for me is its low-technology requirements. Since I upgraded to the new AT&T U-verse internet and television system, I’ve been mired in problems and crankiness stemming from those problems. I just spent an hour on the phone with tech support and at the end of it still could not get a wireless signal on my desktop, which is where I do all of my work. Here I am on this clicky little laptop with its touchpad that makes me type numbers instead of letters and scroll uncontrollably for no reason. I hate it. I also hate my new Quickbooks software because I have a glitch I cannot fix and I have spent hours trying to do so. And have I mentioned the problems I’ve been having with my cell phone? No? I’ll spare you. Let’s just say I have been wanting to throw it at the wall.
It occurs to me often these days that so many things that are supposed to make our lives easier actually take up more time with their glitches and failures that doing things the old way might actually be more efficient. Want to send someone a message? Write them a letter. Or call them on the phone, the one that plugs into the wall. Need some accounting done? Use a calculator. OR AN ABACUS. AT LEAST YOU DON’T NEED BATTERIES, OR EVEN ELECTRICITY.
My salad spinner runs on good old-fashioned elbow grease. And with the tomatoes that Kyle grew in our backyard, that salad was a big bowl of fruit of our labor. I wish I had just gone to bed after that meal. I wouldn’t have tech rage and carpal tunnel system.
Grr.
No offense taken about the Kitchen Aid Mixer (although, I’m thinking once you try it — you just toss everything in, walk away and let it mix!) you’ll be swayed.
One of my best friends registered for a salad spinner last year. She was beyond excited when she got it and I teased her to no end. But, maybe I could be persuaded to try this spinner too. Maybe.
Our salad spinner was Ronen’s introduction to helping make dinner. We’ve worked his way up to helping measuring ingredients and stirring things, though that is still a bit of a messy learning process.
Much better than tugging at the pants leg.
Who washes lettuce?
smb
I just broke down and bought a salad spinner last week. I decided that I make salad to often. I buy local and I hate more than anything drying it. So I use the spinner and store it in it. That way I can make a fresh salad daily. I only have to wash and dry once a week now. It also keeps it fresher for longer.
I owned a salad spinner for a very short time and decided it was a total waste. Sorry. No offense. I eat salad almost every day for lunch. I buy the pre-washed, bagged lettuce, chop and throw a few other things in – sometimes fruits & nuts, sometimes some cucumbers and tomatoes – and am good to go!
I’m with you on the salad spinner. I am also with Kelli on the Kitchen Aid mixer, though. And I agree 100% about the cabinet with a lock for art supplies.