Izzy (and Mama) Eat: The Gourmand Grows up...

Tales of Empty Nesting ...The Next Chapter

Monday, July 27, 2009

The Dog Days Of Summer: Cooking And The Un-Chilled Life

It is refreshing to see that we are not the only ones who live a fairly "UnChilled" existence. According to the NY Times, people across the country are beginning to learn to live without air conditioning. We lived without air conditioning for 10 years in NYC and then for a couple of years in Jersey City. I finally broke down and bought a three window units when Izzy was two, for those 5 unbearable days each summer when it seems downright nutty not to have one. I immediately put one in the kitchen, for without it, I am loathe to get near the oven or stove and it is so sad for me to allow a summer to go by, without baking

This summer, we have kept our air conditioners in the basement. It hasn't been difficult as the summer has been kind to us. Until now. These last few days have marked the arrival of high humidity coupled with high temperatures. The thought of doing ordinary chores is exhausting enough. The thought of cooking is unimaginable. Luckily it is salad season so lunch and dinner can certainly be prepared without the use of oven or stove. Those meals aren't the issue. It is my baking repertoire that suffers.

The gorgeous fruits of summer beckon. Blueberries beg to be cobbled and peaches plead to be baked into a crumble. The red-hued plums sitting in a bowl on the counter long to baked into a cake. Each day I struggle. Do I overheat myself and the kitchen for the sake of dessert? Do we just eat the fruit out of hand and await the cooler days of autumn?

What do other UnChilled bakers do? Is there a secret to baking without a/c and still keeping your cool?

2 comments:

Amy said...

It's been over 100 for the past month here in Texas. The thought of no A/C makes me want to cry.

Izzy's Mama said...

Amy: I have actually always detested a/c because my dad keeps his house like an icebox and I feel like a piece of frozen meat when I leave there. You do actually get used to living without. I survived nyc heatwaves with temps hovering near 100 but over 100 for a month, not so sure I could do that!