How to cook without having to use the big stove
How I did it: I have found that my electric frying pan with a cover is one of the best appliances I own. I use it constantly now and can cook a huge variety of things in it. I even did rice with this appliance. Second most important is the microwave. I figured out amounts of rice + water and pasta + water in order to be able to make both of those things not on the stovetop. Add in the toaster oven for baking rolls and small casseroles, and I'm good to go. The electric kettle is indispensible. I use the crockpot a little. I probably will use that more next winter to do soups. And every once in awhile I use one saucepan on a single burner as though it were a hotplate. To make boiled eggs, for example. So I could do just fine in tiny living space that didn't really have a formal kitchen now.
Resources: What I really need to cook with: knives (2. one large, one small) and cutting board; a couple of bowls; measuring cups and spoons; Microplane grater (a great invention!); a variety of heatproof spoonulas, spatulas, spoons, forks, tongs; something to juice out citrus fruit; electric fry pan with cover; small saucepan with one burner/hotplate; toaster oven; microwave oven; glass bowl with cover; plastic "pasta and more" microwave pot; Rubbermaid microwave steamer which doubles as a strainer; electric kettle; can opener. I also use all the time these small individual serving size Corningware dishes with covers that make great leftover storgage containers that are easily microwavable for heating up. And, of course I have plates, cups, bowls, glasses, mugs, silverware for serving and eating.
