
Take Your Cooking to the Next Level With These Must-Have Kitchen Tools
Cooking a great meal is a combination of inspiration, passion and having the right tools. If you frequently visit kitchen stores, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of gadgets on each aisle. Whether you want to pound, grate, puree, blend or chop, the following 10 tools are vital for taking your cooking to a new level.
Digital Scale
While digital scales are often used by people who are dieting, they can also help if you are baking and using a recipe that requires ingredients by weight rather than by volume. This tool is also handy when you buy bulk meat and need to divide it evenly.
Coffee Grinder
This gadget is so useful, you will want two of them. You can use one to prepare the beans for your morning cup of coffee while the other can crush herbs. This process brings out the flavor that is lost while they dry out and makes them more powerful in cooking.
Immersion Blender
If you often use a traditional blender, you know it does not work well with certain food types and can be difficult to clean. An immersion blender is essentially a stick with blades on the end that you place directly in the bowl or pot of food you are working with. This gadget works well with your purees and soups, and it is easy to maintain with detachable, dishwasher-safe blades.
Oil Mister
When you are cooking with oil, it is sometimes better to use less than more. An oil mister is a bottle with a pump that allows you to add just the right amount of oil to your pans and your foods.
Mandolin
Cutting vegetables can be a tiresome task, especially if want the slices to be thin. A mandolin does the job quickly and efficiently, and some models have a julienne attachment. When choosing a mandolin, ensure that the slicing plate can be removed for cleaning, and there is a hand guard to protect you.
Double Mezzaluna
Herbs are important to every cook, and a double mezzaluna will help you prepare them in record time. The tool has double curved blades that are connected by a handle on each end and comes with a special indented cutting board. You place the herbs on the board and rock the mezzaluna to chop them up. This is more efficient than using a chef’s knife.
Microplane
This is one of the most useful tools you can have in your kitchen. You can fine grate cheese and garlic and also zest citrus with a microplane. When deciding on a model, choose one that comes with a storage cover.
Baking Mats
Baking mats are made out of a silicone material that provides even heating and prevents sticking and burning. You can use them for almost anything that you put in the oven, and they will fit any standard-size baking sheet. Baking mats also work wonderfully for rolling out dough.
Garlic Peeler
Peeling garlic takes a great deal of time, and a peeler will make this task easier for you. The gadget is a silicone tube that removes the skin from the clove while crushing it. This peeler is essential if you enjoy the taste of garlic recipes but do not want to spend large amounts of time in the kitchen.
Anti-Fatigue Mat
This is not technically a gadget or a tool, but it will help you with your cooking by reducing the fatigue that often occurs from standing for long periods of time. Your legs and joints become tired because the weight is not distributed evenly. An anti-fatigue mat corrects this by providing even distribution through the use of a foam interior with thick rubber. The mat can even be an accent piece in your kitchen.
Whether you are a professional chef or just someone who enjoys cooking, adding the above tools will bring more joy to the experience.