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Tool Time

Tool Time     

When it comes to kitchen tools, I don’t need much. In fact I don’t need much of a kitchen. For one short year in my life I had my dream kitchen, complete with granite counter tops, a Viking range and double Thermador ovens--then we sold the house.  So at this point, it does indeed feel like a dream. Now I have a decent space with a scratch and dent gas range, a standard oven and a couple of 40-year-old cabinets. But really it’s OK; I find cooking doesn’t require grand appliances, only a love of the art. The same goes for kitchen tools and gadgets—in my book, the less the better. But there are in fact some items I can’t be without in the kitchen. You will notice that most of them take up little or no counter space--because of course I never really have any.

AR+COOK rubber spatula--as featured in the May issue.

Mexican Hand Juicer—for getting the most juice out of a lime for the least price.
Garlic Press—my favorite is the (Swiss made) susi metal press that I’ve had for over 15 years.

Panini Press—which elevates a sandwich into a meal and the kids love it. Mine is an inexpensive one from Target by Breadman.

Metal Scraper--scoops up chopped onions, carrots and the like, for easy transport into the skillet or bowl.

Whisk—a must have for obvious reasons.

Tongs—I love the rubber tipped ones with the lock at the end by OXO. Perfect for dishing up pasta, flipping chicken on the grill and serving salad.

Chef’s knife—I like Henckels or Wusthof, but any good, sharp 8” chef’s knife will do.

Wooden cutting board—maybe I’m old fashioned but the acrylic cutting boards don’t work for me.



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my garlic press
misternat1
5/10/08 7:48 AM
Ever since I got a "Magic Bullet", I can't imagine being without it. We use it quite a bit on a daily basis.
LIDARKSIDE
5/11/08 12:20 PM
I remember that dream kitchen of yours. Do you also recall that you lived without a kitchen sink for several months during the birth of that wonderful space? Folks think that you can't get along without _____________ (fill in the blank). But, in reality, you are absolutely right my dear. As long as our kitchens are filled with love and family and friends, we can make due with (or without) just about anything. Now...I wouldn't want to have to live without my steamer, but I could go back to the days of blanching my vegetables. I use that thing multiple times each week for healthy preparation of most of the vegetables consumed in our home. My kindergartener recently wrote that "brokoly" was her favorite food. How's them apples!

Love the magazine and miss you greatly!
jacquelinembyers
5/16/08 12:55 PM
my favorite tool in the kitchen has to be my Pampered chef garlic press..I cook a lot of dishes with garlic and if this thing EVER broke I'd have to get another one immediately.
Jodi
5/18/08 3:56 PM
mine would have to be a really sensational chefs knife! I reach for the same knife over and over - never using the others I have -might as well toss them!
cdrury
5/19/08 9:09 AM
I love usingit and would be lost without it since my family loves garlic in recipes.
steadier572
5/30/08 7:40 PM
Spatula--couldn't cook without it.
Majorcat
5/31/08 10:24 AM
I love my vintage ricer. I don't know if you can even by them at the store anymore. I got mine at a thrift shop. But it makes perfect lump free mashed potatoes.
I too love my panini press. I recently won a set of cookware and the panini press was an unexpected surprise but I use it for so many different things.
countrybear07
5/31/08 8:36 PM

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