Over the weekend, I was rummaging through my gadget drawer digging for the microplane. Perfect for small bits of hard cheese, what did we do before these? I skinned my knuckles on a box grater, for one. But it begs the question: If you could only keep 4 of your tools --not including knives -- what would they be? I'd have to go with microplane, silicon spatula, garlic press, and food processor. What about you?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Weekend Open Thread: Your Most Valuable Kitchen Necessities
Over the weekend, I was rummaging through my gadget drawer digging for the microplane. Perfect for small bits of hard cheese, what did we do before these? I skinned my knuckles on a box grater, for one. But it begs the question: If you could only keep 4 of your tools --not including knives -- what would they be? I'd have to go with microplane, silicon spatula, garlic press, and food processor. What about you?
My fine metal strainer is great. handy trick: squeeze lemons through it and it will catch the seeds and pulp.
ReplyDeleteMeasurement tools: teaspoons, cups, tablespoons, and scale.
Also, I use my spaetzle board only about once a month, but am so happy when I do. It makes perfect little noodles!
And coffee bean grinder, for grinding spices!
A good knife sharpener.
ReplyDeleteScale (so many fewer measuring cups needed), microplane (I use it in lieu of a garlic press too), heat proof spatula, and tongs.
ReplyDeleteGOOD wooden spoon, tongs, peeler and a heat-proof spatula.
ReplyDeleteGeez - as long as I have my knives and my fav wooden cutting board, my good pans, and a good wooden spoon - I can probably survive. Now, take my good knives away and I'm a complete wreck. Seriously -- how do people survive w/ low quality knives?
Totally agree. I realized yesterday I almost never use a peeler -- just a chef's knife.
ReplyDeleteWith the amount of apples and pears in the house, my swiss veg peeler would be a must have.
ReplyDeleteOf course the microplane.
A lot of the new cookbooks I've been getting are dealing in grams, so my digital scale is proving indispensable.
And I don't know if this is considered a "cook's tool" but I'd be very unhappy without my wine key.
Oooh - great question.
ReplyDelete1. Microplane for sure! I'd need it even if I only used it for nutmeg.
2. Silicon mitt - makes flipping frittatas and Spanish tortillas non-scary.
3. Immersion blender - soup.
4. Tongs.
If I could get a bonus item, it would be my kitchen scale. Sarah is right on with that.
I have no use for a garlic press, enjoying the stress relief of a swift smoosh and subsequent chopping.
I think my bonus item (or swap for the garlic press) would be kitchen scissors. I have a good pair of Henckles scissors and I use them for *everything* from snipping chives to opening jars.
ReplyDeletegarlic press, cheese grater, good wooden spoon, food processor - - but how sad...a kitchen without gadgets.....
ReplyDeleteAfter I started cooking dinner, I realized I needed to revise my answer - food processor, rolling pin, pastry cutter, and good wooden spoon....
ReplyDeleteKitchen Scissors (for EVERYTHING!!!!), Coffee grinder/spice grinder, food processor, stock pot.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the microplane. I also use my lime juicer quite a bit. Although my favorite item is my 5" santoku - I might as well not even own any other knives!
ReplyDeleteMy cleaver, digital scales (with an endless supply of batteries, right??), probe thermometer, a roll of plastic wrap. Geeez... there's no way four is enough!!
ReplyDelete