Kitchen Tools
Ask any quality tradesman and he’ll tell you, “if you’re going to do the job right, use the right tools.” That same philosophy should be applied to the kitchen as well. Do you want to put out a good dinner for your friends and love interest or do you just want to throw it out there? My recommendation; don’t use cheap flimsy tools or the wrong pan just because it’s there.
If you intend to take entertaining seriously, and I hope you do, then you’ll need to make a modest investment in quality tools that will be comfortable to use and provide years of service. What follows are many tools you’ll want in your kitchen that make preparing a wonderful meal more fun (really) while providing excellent results.
These tools are just a few of the thousands of kitchen accoutrements out there, so it’s not at all complete, but they represent the basic tools you’ll need for almost every application. These photos correspond to the Checklist of tools that have been developed for your convenience.
Tool Group A
Here’s a set of quality tools that are very comfortable to use. Yes, they do cost more, but if you’re going to be using them everyday for many years to come, it’s a no brainer.
Tool Group B
Having these items on hand makes preparing any recipe a snap. A large slicer, measuring cups that are easy to read, and different sized ladles are just a few examples.
Tool Group C
Standard items such as a quality wood spoon set, colander and cheese grater are important, but so is a wire bamboo spoon for deep frying, liquid fat separator for sauces or gravy, and an emulsion wand that’s perfect for making dressings, sauces and light chopping.
Tool Group D
Other standard items include; a full set of good quality kitchen and steak knives, heat resistant spoons and spatulas, and thermometer. Using a digital thermometer (right) with probe takes all the guess work out of proper doneness.
Tool Group E
Barbecuing requires its own set of over-sized tools and interesting pans that grill any type of food to perfection.
Tool Group F
Baking requires a wide ranging set of tools and pans that you may not need for any other purpose. Yes, there are newer mixers out there, but I’m a bit nostalgic.
Tool Group G
You’ll need different sized racks for a variety of purposes. An adjustable rack and shallow roasting pan are ideal for roasting poultry, pork and beef.
Tool Group H
Not all cutting boards are created equal. Wood cutting boards have been the tradition, but acrylic cutting boards are actually better for food safety reasons since bacteria cannot settle in like it can with porous wood cutting boards.
Tool Group I
Roasters come in different shapes and sizes, as do casserole dishes and broiling pans. Having different sizes is a must for preparing recipes for a wide variety of gatherings.
Tool Group J
A food processor is very handy for the larger parties. A smaller chopper (front) is ideal for quick chopping without much cleanup. Don’t forget the ice chopper (left), it beats pounding the ice with a hammer on the kitchen counter.
Tool Group K
High quality pots and pans are a must. They last longer, cook more evenly, and clean up easily. They can also save your home from burning down. See that story elsewhere on this site.
Tool Group L
And don’t forget the counter top roaster and crock pot. They are ideal for cooking and holding food for large parties or slow cooking fall and winter dishes throughout the day.
