:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__treehugger__images__2016__01__mini-muffin-12f2bd73d69d4a54b2ccbe6d9cf8f79c.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "6 Extra Low-Tech Kitchen Devices Each Kitchen Ought to Have")
Extra instruments and ideas from grandma’s kitchen.
“I pity the kitchen full of frivolous devices, the as-seen-on-TV objects that hog storage space, bully the counter, and crowd utensil drawers with their restricted performance or poor efficiency,” I wrote in 2012 when exhibiting off my favourite low-tech kitchen devices. “Asparagus peelers, the Good Brownie Pan, avocado slicers, the Bacon Genie! They’re space-wasters and wasteful normally.”
My love for good low-tech devices persists and after just a few years I’ve determined that there are just a few extra grandma gizmos that make the grade. I’m not saying that every of those are for everyone, however I discover them indispensable for cooking and baking – they’re sturdy they usually obviate the necessity for lots of fancy bells and whistles. And all of them serve many functions … in the event you’re going to dwell in my kitchen, you’ve bought to be versatile, Banana Slicers needn’t apply.
1. Mesh strainer
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Mesh strainer, actually? Sure! I take advantage of mine – an outdated 6-inch workhorse – for thus many issues, I don’t suppose there’s a meal that will get made with out it. It acts as colander, steamer, sifter, potato ricer, juicer and extra. I pressure pasta and greens, I rinse issues, I declump and mix dry baking components, I go potatoes via it for a fluffy mash, easy lumpy gravies, I pressure fruit juices and vegetable shares, I steam, I sieve, I at all times discover new makes use of for it.
2. Good kitchen shears
The various methods by which I take advantage of kitchen shears had been born out of laziness, I confess. A rinse of scissors makes for a a lot simpler clean-up than than a knife and slicing board, plus to cut one thing with shears over a plate or bowl is neater and extra direct. I take advantage of them for herbs essentially the most – simply snip from the bunch, it is easy and would not smash the leaves the identical method a knife can. I take advantage of them for slicing so many bizarre issues – they’re excellent for dates, prunes, sun-dried tomatoes. They’re nice for slicing crust off toast if you’re susceptible to indulging a crust-averse baby (and in that case, do not throw these crusts away! Use them for croutons or bread crumbs). Additionally they come geared up with a plier-like grip above the handles that can be utilized to crack nuts or exhausting shells, and can be put to make use of in opening cussed jars.
3. Tortilla press
© Amazon
In case you don’t make tortillas from scratch you’ll be able to skip this one. However earlier than you go, why don’t you make tortillas from scratch?! It is among the best issues you are able to do within the kitchen (if in case you have a tortilla press, that’s) they usually style roughly a million occasions higher than store-bought ones. You mainly stir collectively flour or masa harina (for flour or corn tortillas) with heat water, salt and a few olive oil, knead a bit of, permit to relaxation for a bit, break into balls, smoosh along with your handy-dandy tortilla press, and prepare dinner for a minute in a pan. (Here’s a good flour tortilla recipeand Mark Bittman’s scrumptious corn tortillas are right here.) The press can be employed in different eventualities the place a rolling pin could be used for objects with a extra diminutive diameter – like crackers and flat bread, mini pies and tartlets, or wonton and dumpling wrappers. It will probably crush too; whereas it received’t make a advantageous grind for nuts, it may flip a handful of almonds or walnuts right into a course chop in a fashion of seconds.
4. Mini muffin tin for freezing
Pixabay
I might use ice-cube trays for 300 issues apart from freezing water, however I attempt to avoid plastic within the kitchen once I can. So, mini muffin pan to the rescue. The idea is to freeze issues in little parts, then switch to an hermetic container for straightforward entry to small bits of excellent issues. I freeze the next objects in such a style (and there are numerous extra issues you are able to do as nicely):
• Fruit puree for smoothies
• Bananas for banana ice cream
• Vegetable inventory for pasta sauces, risotto, etcetera
• Drained wine for cooking
• Pesto for … pesto
• Pasta sauces
• Espresso for ice espresso
• Lemon-honey water for iced tea
• Fruit juice for fancy punch
• Leftover cookie dough
Oh, plus they can be utilized for baking mini muffins.
5. Mortar and pestle
I first purchased a mortar and pestle for pesto, however since then I discover myself utilizing it for issues I by no means imagined, from nuts and seeds to herbs and spices. I take advantage of it to make mayonnaise and compound herb butters, hummus and different dips. My major use for it, nonetheless, is salt. My favourite salts typically are available an association of rock sizes that would threaten the integrity of anybody’s enamel – the mortar and pestle permit me to get the fitting texture and dimension in all the things that I take advantage of it for. Meals processors or spice mills might do all of this simpler, however none provide the identical management or look as fairly on the counter.
6. Bamboo steamer
I really like bamboo steamers as a result of one can steam a number of objects directly with various levels of warmth, and it leaves meals with a beautiful texture. They can be utilized for steaming so many issues: fish and hen (in the event you swing that method); greens; dumplings and potstickers; tamales; and so forth. It may be used to heat up (your selfmade!) tortillas and to revive day-old bread. You’ll be able to heat up leftovers in a single! Off-duty makes use of embrace nice storage for potatoes, onions and garlic – issues that just like the darkish but in addition profit from a bit of air. And for the baker on the go, a bamboo steamer does nice double-duty as a cupcake or cookie tote.
Do you could have low-tech instruments that you may’t dwell with out? Go away a remark … chances are high I will be writing about extra in just a few years.