Table of Contents
Surprising Tools to Take Your Cooking to the Next Level
Introduction
Cooking is an art that requires passion, creativity, and knowledge. And to make the most out of your culinary experience, you need the right tools. While there are basic kitchen tools that everyone knows about, there are some unique and innovative kitchen tools that can take your cooking to the next level. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of these surprising tools that can help you achieve new heights in your cooking.
Immersion Blender
An immersion blender is a handheld blender that you can immerse into a pot or bowl of ingredients. What sets it apart from a traditional blender is that it’s versatile, compact, and easy to use. With an immersion blender, you can puree soups, blend smoothies, make sauces, and even whip cream without having to transfer your ingredients to a traditional blender. It’s a great tool for those who want to save time and kitchen space.
Smoker Box
If you’re a fan of smoked food, a smoker box is a must-have tool in your kitchen. A smoker box is a small metal box that you can fill with wood chips and place on top of your grill or in your oven. When you cook your food, the smoke from the wood chips is released, giving your food a smoky flavor. It’s a great tool for those who want to add a new dimension of flavor to their cooking.
Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker is a kitchen tool that can save you a lot of time and energy. It’s a sealed pot with a valve that allows steam to build up inside. When you cook your food in a pressure cooker, the high-pressure environment helps break down tough meats and vegetables quickly, resulting in faster cooking times and more flavorful meals. It’s a great tool for busy cooks who want to make healthy and delicious meals in a short amount of time.
Cast Iron Skillet
Easily one of the most versatile tools in any kitchen, a cast-iron skillet can help you achieve perfect sears, roasted veggies, crispy crusts, and even desserts. Cast iron is incredibly durable and heats evenly, making it perfect for searing meats and achieving crispy, golden brown crusts on your baked goods. Plus, it can go from the stovetop to the oven, making it great for one-pan meals.
Mortar and Pestle
For those who want to take their spice game to the next level, a mortar and pestle is a must-have tool in your kitchen. It’s a simple tool that allows you to grind and pulverize fresh herbs and spices, releasing their flavors and aromas. Plus, it’s great for making homemade pesto or guacamole.
Conclusion
While there are countless kitchen tools out there, these surprising tools can help take your cooking to the next level. From immersion blenders to smoker boxes, these tools can save you time and energy while creating more flavorful and delicious meals. So, why not invest in one or all of these tools and see how they can elevate your culinary experience?
FAQ: Kitchen Tools for Better Cooking
What are some essential kitchen tools for better cooking?
Some essential kitchen tools for better cooking include a chef’s knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, saucepans, sauté pans, sheet pans, and a blender.
What is the best type of chef’s knife to use?
The best type of chef’s knife depends on personal preference. However, a knife with a sharp blade and comfortable handle is important. Some popular brands include Wusthof, Shun, and Global.
Why is a cutting board important?
A cutting board is important because it protects your countertops from damage and prevents cross-contamination from raw meats and other foods. It also makes it easier to chop and prepare ingredients.
What are some tips for using a blender?
When using a blender, always start on low speed and gradually increase to avoid splatters. Also, make sure the ingredients are cut into small pieces before blending. To make it easier to clean, rinse the blender immediately after use.
What size mixing bowls should I have?
You should have a range of mixing bowls in different sizes to accommodate different recipe needs. A set of small, medium, and large bowls should suffice for most cooking and baking needs.
What is the best material for saucepans and sauté pans?
The best material for saucepans and sauté pans is typically stainless steel or copper. Both are durable and conduct heat well. Non-stick pans are also popular but may not last as long.
Why do I need different sized sheet pans?
Having different sized sheet pans allows you to bake or roast different amounts of food at once. It can also help with portion control and prevent overcrowding of ingredients.
What are some specialized kitchen tools?
Specialized kitchen tools include a mandoline for slicing vegetables thinly and evenly, a microplane for grating citrus zest and cheese, and a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
Should I buy a food processor or a blender?
This depends on what you plan to use it for. A blender is better for making smoothies and purees while a food processor is better for chopping, shredding, and mixing doughs. However, some high-end blenders can also perform these functions.
What are some other must-have tools for a home cook?
Other must-have kitchen tools include a whisk, spatula, tongs, can opener, vegetable peeler, and oven mitts.
Kitchen Tools for Better Cooking
Whether you are interested in making gourmet dishes or just trying to make everyday cooking easier, having the right tools in the kitchen is crucial. Here are some recommended kitchen tools to help make cooking more enjoyable and efficient:
- Cast Iron Skillet: A cast iron skillet is great for searing meat, making frittatas, and even baking bread. It heats evenly and has a natural non-stick surface. Recommended product: Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet.
- Kitchen Shears: Kitchen shears can be used for a variety of tasks such as cutting poultry, snipping herbs, and opening packages. Recommended product: OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors.
- Mandoline Slicer: A mandoline slicer can help you slice fruits and vegetables quickly and evenly. Recommended product: Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer.
- Meat Thermometer: A meat thermometer ensures that meat is cooked to the proper temperature, reducing the risk of foodborne illness. Recommended product: ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer.
- Microplane Grater: A microplane grater is perfect for grating hard cheeses, ginger, and citrus zest. Recommended product: Microplane Premium Classic Zester Grater.
- Non-stick Cookware Set: A non-stick cookware set is great for cooking eggs, pancakes, and other delicate foods without sticking. Recommended product: T-fal E938SA Professional Nonstick Cookware Set.
- Oven Thermometer: An oven thermometer can help ensure that your oven is set to the correct temperature, producing consistent results when baking. Recommended product: Rubbermaid Commercial Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer.
- Pepper Grinder: A pepper grinder adds fresh ground pepper to your dishes, elevating the flavor. Recommended product: Cole & Mason Derwent Pepper Grinder.
- Quality Chef’s Knife: A quality chef’s knife is perhaps the most important tool in the kitchen, and can make tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing a breeze. Recommended product: Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife.
- Stand Mixer: A stand mixer can take the work out of mixing dough, making whipped cream, and other time-consuming tasks. Recommended product: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer.
Investing in these kitchen tools can help make cooking easier, more efficient, and even more enjoyable.
Pros & Cons of Using Kitchen Tools for Better Cooking
Pros:
- Efficiency: Using kitchen tools can help you cook faster and more efficiently, whether you’re chopping vegetables with a mandoline or cooking rice in a rice cooker.
- Consistency: By using tools like a thermometer or scale, you can ensure that your food is cooked to the perfect temperature or measurement every time, resulting in more consistent results.
- Versatility: Many kitchen tools have multiple uses, such as a food processor that can chop, puree, and mix ingredients all in one. This saves space in your kitchen and makes cooking more convenient.
- Safety: Some kitchen tools, such as a vegetable peeler or cut-resistant gloves, can help prevent accidents in the kitchen and keep you safe while cooking.
- Creativity: Using kitchen tools can inspire creativity in the kitchen, allowing you to try new recipes and experiment with different cooking techniques.
Cons:
- Cost: Many kitchen tools can be expensive, especially high-end appliances like stand mixers or sous vide machines. This can be a barrier for some home cooks.
- Storage: With so many different types of kitchen tools available, storage can be a challenge. These tools can take up a lot of space in your kitchen and may not be used frequently enough to justify the storage space.
- Cleanup: Some kitchen tools, such as a juicer or food processor, can be difficult to clean and may require disassembling and washing several different components.
- Simplicity: While kitchen tools can enhance your cooking skills, they can also be a crutch that prevents you from learning basic cooking techniques. Relying too heavily on tools may hinder your ability to cook without them.
- Availability: Not all kitchen tools are readily available, especially for those who live in rural or remote areas. This can limit your ability to use certain kitchen tools and may prevent you from trying out new recipes or techniques.
