Cooking Network

What’s in YOUR Kitchen Drawer?

One of the most rewarding compliments anyone can receive is, “I didn’t know you could cook so well.” No matter the occasion or where the compliment comes from, it is always appreciated. The skills required to cook that perfect meal can be acquired through practice and a practical approach to the task at hand.

But like everything else worth undertaking, cooking has its own set of tools. You wouldn’t expect a surgeon to operate with a blow torch or an artist to paint with a flounder, so why expect to be able to prepare a meal that would be the envy of all of Paris with a pan and a fork? No, cooking has its own special toolset. To be successful as a suburban gourmet, you should make sure you have everything you need.

Like 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.

If establishing what type of food you are going to cook on a regular basis is the first step, the second step would be to locate where to purchase the needed tools. There are a lot of deals to be had on the internet on specialized kitchen tools. I don’t think your local, big box retailer will carry that grinder, but cutting boards and wooden spatulas are generally easier to come by there. Pasta makers, revolutionary bread makers and the next big wiz-bang can be found cheaper on the internet. Provided you don’t need something in 10 minutes, shopping on the net gives you more options.

There are some basics you might want to already have on hand: I suggest a large glass measuring cup and metal measuring spoons. A solid knife set and a couple of plastic cutting boards are definitely a must. Rubber-tipped spatulas for scraping from the bowls and measuring cup and wooden spoons for pan cooking. Wooden spoons are very much recommended because they will not heat up as fast as metal spoons or melt like plastic ones. An apple peeler/corer is recommended for peeling vegetables and fruits. For fresh spices I you will need a grinder or mortar and pestle. Some food processors come with different attachments ranging from dough mixer to juicer and even a meat grinder attachment for sausage making. Unless you plan on cooking for the Waltons, there might not be a need for one of those monsters. A small processor will do and they can be found all over the internet.

When 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.

Well now you’ve wowed your guests or family and it’s time to clean up. I suggest you have a bottle brush on hand for any of your utensils that might have moving parts or tiny spots you can’t get to with a regular dish rag. Make sure that what you are putting into the dishwasher belongs in a dishwasher- please, no rubber handled utensils, big daddy fryers or rotisserie ovens. I highly recommend installing an upright sliding shelf under cabinet space. This helps you stay more organized and will also help with the time factor-sometimes you can spend more time looking for a spatula than you will actually using it.

With your new kitchen tools comes great new kitchen responsibility. Remember: fresh is better.Don’t be afraid to experiment or try out a new kitchen do-dad. But most of all-have fun!

Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on Slicer Meat which discusses various meat slicers on the market and which one might be an option for you and your family.