Tools

I'm not one of those cooks who believe that you have to have the finest equipment or a state of the art kitchen to make great meals.  You don't.  And while I'd love to cook exclusively on All Clad stainless steel, Calphalon's line is pretty good, too.   The bigger deal to me for cooking is the tools, those random implements that have a very specific purpose and are essential to me when I cook. Here are some of my favorites:

Cuisinart Mini

I LOVE this thing.  I use my full sized Cuisinart a lot, too, but it's big and cumbersome and a pain to clean.   This guy is fantastic for smaller jobs, like chopping an onion or peanuts or garlic. 

Herb Scissors

For Christmas, my sister-in-law Sue, my kitchen partner in Phelps, gave me this new favorite:  herb scissors. The are amazing.  Instead of chopping and then scraping up the bits of parsley or cilantro from a now-stained cutting board, you can cut them directly into a pan or bowl.  And cut them precisely.  Easy to clean, too - they come with their own little cleaning brush.

 

suggested recipe to use both:  crock pot thai chicken

"Baggy Rack Storage Holder."

Sue also gave me this for Christmas.  If you are someone who marinades meat a lot, it's phenomenal. Props up the ziploc so you can get the ingredients in without the bag falling over sideways & leaking all over your counter.  Not that that's ever happened. .And it folds flat when you don't need it. 

Hand Held Mandoline

This is a great tool for slicing everything - potatoes, carrots, etc.  It has an adjustable width and a piece that protects your fingers when you get close to the blade.  I use it all the time.  

Immersion Blender

If you make soup, you must have one of these.  

It's got one button, a sharp blade and will puree just about anything quickly and easily without having to transport liquid back and forth into a blender.  There are a million varieties available with varying degrees of fanciness.  I like the simplest one. 

suggestion:

Kale Sausage Soup

Apple Wedger

Pampered Chef.  It's a great tool.  period.

Pampered Chef  Tiny Spiral Whisk

I don't think Pampered Chef makes this in metal anymore, only in nylon.  But you can find something similar on Amazon.  I love it - great for sauces and emulsifying marinades or dressing.  And it's cute.

Hand Held Cheese Grater

If you use a lot of parmesan, (why wouldn't you?  why?) 

and buy the chunk kind (why wouldn't you?  why?)   this tool is key.  

Zester

If you are a fan of Ina/Barefoot Contessa, you  know to buy a million lemons every time you go to the grocery store, and you must have a zester. 

Juicer

I go through insane amounts of lemons and limes.  We got this for a wedding gift and its simplicity and power are, in my opinion, unrivaled.  

 Suggestion:  Ina's Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Jigger

Friday night cosmos just wouldn't be the same without this friend.  

Cosmo:  1 part each cran & fresh lime juice, 2 parts triple sec or cointreau, 4 parts vodka.

shake with crushed ice.  serve in martini glass. 

And last, but definitely not least, the beloved

 Doc Corey

The world's coolest beer bottle opener, made by none other than Dr. Joe Corey.  

 Simple, genius, oh-so-dad.  

I'm sorry I can't provide a link for these: they are a precious resource now.  

But please do come over and I'll crack open a couple beers to share.  

It's all about the tools.