Eating subscription box meals, exposing myself to foods and methods I’d never explored, which often means I have to buy new kitchen equipment. For example, I didn’t own a basting brush until recently. Instead I’ve been surviving with an almost new carefully-cleaned paintbrush, but when I needed it for paint again an Amazon order became mandatory.

Usually I can get away without special equipment the first time I cook a meal, but if I like it enough to make it part of my recipe collection then I’ll buy equipment to help me cook faster and more efficiently.

Next week’s box from Home Chef is an exception. They’re sending me Mango-Lime BBQ Tofu Kebabs.

My mouth started watering while reading the recipe. All that lime, and sriracha, and grilled . . . wait . . . grill? Like, an outdoor grill? I don’t have one of those. I don’t really want one, either. I’ve grilled before, and I don’t like standing over hot coals in 100+ degree Texas heat, getting a face full of smoke. I’ll eat grilled, thank you VERY much, but I don’t want to actually grill.

I also don’t want to buy, maintain or clean a grill, or constantly buy charcoal or propane or whatever it is grills run on.

Research was clearly in order! After reading a few articles on indoor grilling (my favorite was from Epicurious) I purchased a Lodge Cast Iron Single-Burner Reversible Grill/Griddle, a cleaning tool, and a smoked olive oil sample set from The Smoked Olive. My pantry already contains an unopened container of smoked salt, courtesy of a TJ Maxx impulse buy.

I can’t wait for the equipment and the subscription box to arrive. This will be fun!