I often loose my cool in the kitchen over a missing spice bowl or double boiler. A sucker for an organized kitchen, it was no wonder that I was awed by the feats of Sandra Magnus. This woman actually managed to experiment with cooking in space, amongst floating vessels and frozen food!

The monotonous diet aboard the ISS was revolutionized by the cooking skills and improvisations that Magnus brought to the space station. The abysmal condition overboard, is not conducive to cooking and leaves Magnus with very few cooking options.  In spite of this she still managed to cook mesquite grilled tuna, spinach dip, crab salad and a cornbread-based stuffing. Magnus resorts to the mixing of American and Russian supplies that often ends in up as tasty dishes.

She improvises with fresh food brought in by crewmates and the standard space rations. She uses duct tapes to keep vessels and food in place, mixes food in plastic bags and cooks them over low heat burners. Even a task as simple as sautéing garlic and onion can take hours at the ISS, bit she still persists and enjoys doing the same. Sandra Magus has been keeping a record of all her cookery adventures in a journal for herself as well as to help others who would like to cook.

I am humbled and definitely grateful that I only have to cook in my kitchen. Who cares if the spice bowls or the double boiler is missing, atleast my food is on the plate and the vessels are not floating around!

Image Credits

www.nasa.gov

www.msnbc.msn.com