With this:
I swear, it really was love at first sight. I was just shopping for a small housewarming gift for my neighbours. When I turned into the aisle, it jumped out at me (like all red objects usually do). Then I moved closer. I picked it up. I stroked it. Yes, I really did.
It's a heavy, enameled cast iron French oven. In the most beautiful colour. The perfect size. AND it was "only" $40. (Ok, that may seem like a lot, but it's cheap for enameled cast iron - another brand this size, or even just this brand, but in another store, would normally cost around $100.) It came home with me. Hopefully the graduation gift my parents hinted toward will make up for this (rather unnecessary) expense! ;)
Of course the first thing I did was make bread with it. I've been a bit obsessed with making bread in French ovens ever since I found the No Knead bread recipe. Last year (or was it the year before?), for my birthday, my parents bought me a big black Staub one. I wanted a classic, neutral colour since I knew this thing would probably outlive me. And I liked the matte black.
But when I saw this little red one, I thought, well, it's not like all the accessories in my kitchen aren't already red! Even without "deciding" on this colour for my kitchen, over the years, I've always gravitated toward red utensils, red pots, red pans, etc.
(See, even the cooling rack is red!)
It's like I can't help it. I joke that I'm attracted to red because I'm a bull (Taurus)... but that's what it is - a real, strong attraction! I don't know, it's always been like this. It's more than just my favourite colour. It attracts my eye like no other colour does.
Ah, the simple pleasures in life: looking at this little pot really does make me happy.
