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A cook is only as good as his or her tools. That is why there are some tools that a well-stocked kitchen must have. These accessories save time, offer a functional purpose, and will be at the heart of well-prepared meals and snacks.
Every kitchen should have the following tools:
1. Heat resistant spatula. The heat resistant spatula is superb for stir frying. It has the ability to move scoops of food around the pan without damaging the pan, and without melting! This tool comes in a variety of sizes, from small to large, and can be used for non-heat stirring as well. They come in colors ranging from bright primaries to muted yellows, blues and greys. In addition to using for stir fry, you can also use for stirring chili, spaghetti, or any other top-of-the-stove dish. They are found at a variety of locations, ranging from discount outlets to gourmet shops.
2. Stand-up mixer. Give your arms a break and invest in a stand-up mixer, preferably one with a paddle, whip and dough hook. And treat yourself to an added bonus by getting an extra mixing bowl. Stand-up mixers make baking so easy and so quick (they are powerful). And these days, they come in a variety of colors, such as white and green. You can find these mixers at department stores, discount stores and cooking stores.
3. Small food processor. Great for those times when you need to finely chop just one onion, or make fresh bread crumbs from a few slices of bread, this tool is a real help for any kitchen. Its size means that it does not take up much space in the cabinet, and the clean-up is fairly simple (place removable parts in the dishwasher).
They are available everywhere, including discount stores.
4. Cushioned baking pans. If you are tired of burnt cookies and cakes, it is time to invest in these airy pans. A cushion of air between layers of metal translates to slower cooking time and less burnt food. They are widely available at supermarkets, discount stores and specialty
shops.
5. Pizza stone and paddle. If you have trouble making crispy pizza crusts, it's these items to the rescue. Make sure the stone comes with a metal handle because these stones are too hot to handle! The stone will give your pizza a crispy crust, so say good-bye to soggy crusts! The paddle is a necessity for sliding the crust onto the stone. These are available at discount stores, department stores and cooking stores. They usually come with recipes.
6. Pasta server. It is so much easier to serve pasta with a pasta server. They come in all colors (plastic), as well as in stainless. Clean-up is easy! Some even come with faces cut into the design to add fun. Buy this gadget virtually anywhere kitchen utensils are sold.
7. Lasagna server. This is simply a stainless serving spatula that is a bit thicker than normal, and it really does the job! Lift lasagna with ease with this handy tool!
8. An extra can opener. There is no kitchen dilemma worse than being in the middle of making dinner and --- oops --- the can opener is broken. Since our teeth are not made to open cans, it is much simpler to have an extra opener on hand. Your extra gadget can be an inexpensive one that you can find at the grocery store for just a few dollars.
9. Many cutting boards, of all sizes. Sharing cutting boards means sharing germs, so stock your kitchen with a variety of boards. These days they come in all shapes, sizes and even colors so have fun building your collection. Many are dishwasher safe. Buy them anywhere utensils are sold.
10. Spoon rests. Have a few and keep them on or near the range top. They keep your stove clean and pop right in the dishwasher when finished. You can buy them on trips so your kitchen will have a daily reminder of where you've been.
11. A good grater. A good grater is a great thing to have because it can cut anything from cheese to limes. The freestanding ones are handy because they stand on their own, but remember, they will require more storage space than the flat graters.
12. Apple corer/slicer. You can cut an apple into wedges with just one motion, saving time and energy. And just pop in the dishwasher, top shelf. Buy them at the supermarket.
13. Graduated measuring spoons. When measuring dry ingredients, why use three spoons when one will do the job? The graduated measuring spoons measure everything from 1/8 teaspoon to a full teaspoon. They even come in teaspoon to tablespoon sizes. This nifty tool is available at specialty cooking stores.
14. A canister set, but not for flour. Canister sets look lovely on the counter, and are a great place to hide items you'll need in the kitchen. Put your matches in one, pens and pencils in another. The small one is great for pencil sharpeners and paper clips. They take the kitchen clutter and contain it in fashion!
15. Plastic tongs. Small plastic tongs are commonly used by caterers, and should be a part of every home kitchen. Use them when serving fruit, cookies, hors d'oeuvres. They look nice and are easy to clean. Check the specialty stores for them and buy them when you find them as they may be hard to locate.
Stocking your kitchen is fun, and thankfully, most gadgets don't take up too much space. They do, however, making cooking a breeze.
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