Article Trunk



What’s in YOUR Kitchen Drawer?

11.06.2009 · Posted in Home and Garden Articles

Probably one of the most appreciated skills a person can have as an adult is being a good cook. Whether it’s for a special occasion or everyday for the ones in your life, we pride ourselves on our ability to cook an appetizing, visually appealing meal. The time and effort put into just a half hour, daily event can show a lot about the person preparing it.nnHow important is it to own the right kitchen tools? Have you ever tried to build a book shelf with a butter knife? It could be done, but at what cost in time and skinned knuckles? It’s far easier to have the tools you need right from the start. You will save time and a little skin by having what you need to get the job done.nnLike any other job, you need to clearly define your objectives. Are you building a shed or a scaled down version of the Taj Majal? The same principles apply- do you plan on cooking like that often? Are you a connoisseur of pasta or just a plain “meat and potatoes” kind of cook? Believe it or not, there are tools for both extremes. The best thing you can do is buy a cookbook with recipes you like and read it. This will give you an idea of what to stock your kitchen with. Sometimes a single grinder will do multiple jobs where a mortar and pestle are just not practical.nnNow that you’ve thought over what kind of cooking you prefer to eat, let’s look at how to get the tools you’re going to need. I suggest that you go to your local bookstore and buy a cook book. Every recipe will tell you what tools you will need to properly cook the dish. For the very basics you can find cooking tools in your local department store, the mall, or even in the grocery store. For bigger, more exotic purchases, I recommend the internet. There is a large selection of kitchen ware on the net and the prices are competitive when you compare quality. I wouldn’t buy a coffee grinder on the internet, but a new 12 piece knife set with cherry wood handles? Absolutely!nnThere are some specialized kitchen tools you should not be left without. A good set of plastic cutting boards and a sharp, good quality knife set are the base of any endeavor. Consider these your foundation. Generally, a four sided grater for cheese and veggies is a good idea. Wooden spoons and rubber tipped spatulas for mixing and cooking are essential. I recommend a mortar and pestle for things like fresh oregano and cilantro and a grinder for dried spices such as black pepper and mustard seed. Try to buy corers and kitchen shears with rubber handles if possible. Anyone who’s ever had to peel more than 4 potatoes at time will know why. Most professional kitchens will use a glass measuring cup and metal or plastic measuring spoons. I will take it to the next level and suggest a 2 cup measuring cup.nnWhen planning and preparing a meal with your shiny new kitchen toys, be creative. Garnish with fresh food-yes, it’s okay to play with your food now. There are books that have instructions on how to make tiny swans out of cucumbers or some such thing. If that’s what you like-go for it. Personally, I feel like color in a dish matters. If you’re serving something brown, throw a nice sprig of lettuce with a crown cut cherry tomato on top. You can do that as you have a nice set of knives now. Have fun and put your own spin on things.nnRemember when buying your kitchen tools to make sure whether or not they are dishwasher safe. If the box doesn’t say so, don’t put it in the dishwasher. Some utensils with rubber handles will see a lot of wear from a hot dry cycle and you might one day end with a metal post where your nice cushy handle used to be. If it’s meant to be plugged into the wall, that should be a no brainer, but just in case: do not put your electric knife, food processor, bread maker, etc into the dishwasher-ever. Keep a bottle brush on hand to get into small corners and crevasses. And for storage, consider an upright sliding shelf that can be mounted under a cabinet. This will avoid the “junk drawer” that makes it hard to find a spatula, much less a tsp measuring spoon. Plus, it will look cool to your friends.nnTry to stockpile your kitchen arsenal with tools you know you will use on a regular basis. -Keep an open mind about things and have a good time. Remember, the most important tool you have in your kitchen is you.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.