tools
COOL KITCHEN TOOLS
Useful gadgets for the home cook.
WRITTEN BY KAY FAHEY
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Yogurt Maker
Before creating your own creamy custom yogurt, consider whether you want to make a big batch of a single flavor or prefer an array of single servings. Some machines are designed for a crowd, while others allow you to make small portions of many different flavors. Secondly, is the ease of auto-settings your preference, or would you rather control incubation times yourself? Longer incubation equals thicker, tarter yogurt, but many machines don’t allow you to customize. Finally, look for a model with an automatic shut-off, and an alert that your yogurt is finished. EuroCuisine Automatic Yogurt Maker, $39.99
Bamboo Steamer
This ancient cooking tool from China is one of the most elegantly efficient around. A raised bottom of bamboo slats allows steam to enter the basket, while a tight-fitting, domed lid of woven bamboo creates circulation and absorbs drips. Multiple stacking layers allow you to cook several courses at once. The principle thing to look for is sturdy construction — flimsy steamers fall apart with use — and check that the basket(s) and lid fit tightly. And be sure you have a pot or wok large enough to accommodate your steamer. Norpro two-tier bamboo steamer with lid, $25.99 OR Helen Chen bamboo steamer with two tiers and lid, $24.99
Bread Maker
The primary factor in choosing a bread machine is what kind of bread you crave. If you hanker for whole-grain loaves, you want a model with enough muscle to handle the heavier dough. If the crisp crust of a baguette is what you desire, be sure your machine is programmable or has the correct setting. If artisanal loaves are your passion, choose a machine with a dough setting, allowing you to remove the dough, shape it by hand, and bake it in your oven. Finally, the more often you plan to bake, the more reliable your bread maker should be, so read reviews and look for warranties. Panasonic Automatic Bread Maker with Yeast Dispenser, $174.95
Meat Thermometer
If you love to grill and roast, you need two meat thermometers. For grilling thinner cuts like rib-eye steak, you want an instant-read thermometer that can give you a reading within five seconds. For a crown roast or holiday turkey, a thermometer with a probe that remains in the meat while it cooks is best. An alarm that warns you when your meat has reached the desired temperature is a plus, as is a model that allows you to program the temperature you want the meat to reach (often pre-set guides to doneness cook meat too long). ThermoWorks Super-Fast Thermapen. $89 OR Maverick Roast Alert Oven Roasting Thermometer, $24.99
Silpat Silicone Baking Mat
It resembles woven bamboo with burnt orange edging, and nothing, not even Parmesan cheese, sticks to it. The silicone baking mat’s nonstick surface eliminates the need to grease a cookie sheet or cover it with parchment paper. It won’t warp like cheap metal sheets and your cookies are less likely to scorch on the bottom. To store, simply roll it up like a poster. A word of caution: It needs a metal sheet pan underneath for support, so be sure to get the correct size to fit your pan. Silpat mats come in sizes from toaster oven to full sheet pan. Silpat, the Original Non-Stick Baking Mat (Half Size), $24.99
Cake/Pie Pans
The primary qualification for a traditional cake or pie pan is sturdiness. Heavy-gauge aluminum has long been the gold standard, as it distributes heat evenly and won’t warp. Newer nonstick silicone pans are gaining popularity (especially for cakes), but require support to prevent spills and can be cut. Glass pans also are an option, although they can shatter if they encounter liquid while hot, and their heat retention means crusts continue cooking after removal from the oven. Watch out for dark pans (such as many nonstick varieties) because their extra heat retention means scorching is more of an issue. Chicago Metallic Non-stick 9-inch Springform Pan, $16.50 OR Non-stick 9-inch Pie Pan, $8.99 OR Non-stick two-piece Angel Food Cake Pan with Feet, $17.99
Garlic Press
The main issue with garlic presses is they can be difficult to clean. You want one with openings fine enough to mince rather than crush, yet large enough to clean easily. Some models come with a pusher to help with the cleaning process. Another important factor is the amount of garlic left behind — look for a model that leaves little garlic in the press. Next, you want a handle that fits you comfortably and allows you to extract the garlic without building muscle. Many models will handle unpeeled garlic, although peeling first always produces the best results. Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press, $40 OR Norpro – Garlic Press, $7.99
Graters
Two factors matter with graters: sharp cutting edges and a comfortable grip. For sharpness, Microplane products set the standard, but only you can determine which grater is the most comfortable in your hand. Most cooks need three graters: coarse, fine, and zester. Beyond these are specialty models such as ribbon and ultra-coarse graters. Choosing between rotary, box, paddle-style, and others is a matter of personal preference. Just be sure to factor in storage space when considering bulkier styles such as four-sided box graters. Norpro Ultra Grater-Extra Fine, $10.99
Whisks
All you really need is an egg whisk, a genuine multi-purpose tool. However, a mini-whisk comes in handy any time the larger version is too bulky, such as mixing salad dressing. A flat whisk can be convenient for stirring roux and gravy, as it is good at reaching into corners. If you want to whip egg whites or cream by hand, a balloon whisk is best. Silicone-coated wires are great at not scratching nonstick pans, but are a liability when your goal is to incorporate air into eggs or cream. As always, look for sturdy construction. Le Creuset Balloon Whisk, $26 OR WMF Ball Whisk 8.25-inch, $20 OR 10.5-inch, $23 OR 12.5-inch, $25 OR 14-inch, $25
Silicone Egg Poaching Cups
The silicone revolution comes to egg cookery with the introduction of these nifty little gadgets. Flexible silicone cups in bright colors are just the right size to hold a single egg. You simply float the cup atop simmering water, cover the pan, and in a few minutes your egg is done. Lift the cup with a slotted spoon and slip the egg out. One warning: Oil the cup beforehand, as eggs will stick. Be sure to choose a model without holes; the egg tends to leak out otherwise. Chef’s Toolbox Egg Poachers, $4.99 for two OR $13.99 for six OR Cuisipro Egg Poachers, set of two, $12
Vegetable Peeler
Metal or ceramic blade? Ceramic blades offer the advantages of being super-sharp, rust-free, and lightweight, plus they stay sharp longer than stainless. But most decent peelers have sharp blades, so another important factor is what’s comfortable. Which feels right, pushing the blade away from you or pulling it toward you? Do you like a horizontal or straight design? Some peelers come with dual blades (combining peeling with a julienne or serrated blade). Handy, but they can take getting used to. And, always, go for durable construction; cheaply built versions will quickly fall apart. Joseph Joseph rotary peeler, $12
Denby Dutch Oven (or “Casserole”)
The 200-year-old United Kingdom firm Denby is well known for its durable products and commitment to the environment. Like their pottery, their Dutch oven is made with zero waste to landfill, from its hefty, cast-iron construction to its hand-applied enamel glaze. Called a “casserole” by the British company, these cooking vessels come in a variety of sizes and classic shapes. The tough enameled surface means that, unlike plain cast iron, they don’t require lengthy seasoning before use, and Denby gives you a choice of brilliant colors in hues such as azure, cherry, and imperial blue. Denby cast iron oval casserole dish, $186
Cookbook reading glasses
If you find yourself holding a recipe at arm’s length to read it, you probably should get fitted with cookbook reading glasses. That is, you want a professional optician to help you find eyeglasses tailored for the distance at which you typically read recipes, says Cheryl Adlington, optometrist at Adlington Eye Center in Reno. If, for instance, you like to set your cookbook on the far side of the counter to give you space for chopping and mixing, you want glasses focused for that extra distance. If you like your cookbook at your elbow, find a pair focused for closer reading. For details, visit www.Adlingtoneyecenter.com.
Freelance food writer Kay Fahey has learned the right tools can save cooks a lot of time. As just one example, she uses a mandolin almost daily to take the work out of salads and veggie dishes.
SOURCE LIST
Nothing To It Culinary Center
225 Crummer Lane, Reno
775-826-2628, www.Nothingtoit.com
Williams-Sonoma
13945 S. Virginia St., Suite 600, Reno
775-853-6877, www.Williams-sonoma.com
Cooking Gallery
10084 Donner Pass Road, Truckee
530-587-8303, www.Cookinggallerytahoe.com
Macy’s Reno
6011 S. Virginia St., Reno
775-789-3533, www.Macys.com/Reno
Note: The Denby casserole can be ordered at www.Denbyusa.com, or Macy’s can order some sizes for customers
.
