MUST haves.

Must have kitchen tools/gadgets–  Love your kitchen?  Love cooking?  Here is a quick list of must have kitchen tools and gadgets:

1. Silicone Whisk– Every kitchen needs a whisk but I say splurge and spend the extra money on a whisk coated with silicone so that you can use it while your cooking on your non-stick pans.  Great for sauces, scrambled eggs, etc.

2. Can Opener– Invest in a good can opener.  I have attached an old blog that gives you some examples of great can openers that I have found. (click on ‘Can we Talk’ link)  Can We Talk?

3. Measuring Spoon– No kitchen is complete with out a good set of measuring spoons.  Make sure you get a set that attaches and detaches easily so that you can store them well but get to them easily when you need them.

4. Measuring Cups – You will need a liquid measuring cup and a set of dry measuring cups.  Check out the blog link to get an understanding of why you need both.  A cup is not a cup is not a cup.

5. Spatula – Spatulas are great for spreading icing, glazes, etc. but I also like to use them when I am cooking eggs.  So much easier to make omelets with a spatula.  Trust me.  Try it.  You’re going to flip!

6. Citrus squeezer–  My fave. It even warranted it’s very own blog.  Click here for more info:  Pucker up buttercup!

7. Wooden Spoons – I have no actual facts to back this up but I swear sauces turn out better when you use wooden spoons.  Here’s a blog for more info:  Clearing up the Rumors.

8. Ice cream scoop – Really.  Do I need to explain why?  Here is a review of the different types of ice  cream scoops and my recommendations.    To scoop or not to scoop.

9. Peeler – Peelers are an essential if you like to cook.  Pretty self-explanatory.  Honestly, if you don’t like to cook frequently then you can skip a peeler and use a paring knife for your peeling needs.

10. Basic tool set (Turner, Slotted Turner, Spoon, Slotted Spoon) –  The amount of money and type of material you need to get depends on your level of cooking as well as the type of pans that you have. If you only cook occasionally, a nylon tool set will be perfect.  They are incredibly cheap and will cover all your basic needs.  if you have stainless steel pans and you cook frequently, you will want a set of stainless steel tools (preferably with a nylon or silicone handle to protect your hands).  If you have non-stick pans and cook frequently, you will want a good set of silicone tools.

I am sure that this list will change or need to be extended but hopefully you this will give you a good starting point.

Happy cooking everyone!!

‘Can’ we talk?

Zyliss Lock-n-Lift

OXO Smooth Edge

Last week I went to open an incredibly nutritious (not-so) but much-loved can of spaghetti and meatballs for the boys and the tab broke off (pop top can). I looked down at the still unopened can not sure what to do so I left it on the counter for Eric to deal with when he got home.  When Eric arrived home from work, our conversation went something like this:

Me: “I left a can on counter.  The tab popped off!  Can you figure out now to open it or should I just throw it away??”

Eric: “Um. Use a can opener.”

OMG. How embarrassing.

This lovely exchange led me to my next blog.  Can openers.  Specifically manual can openers (as opposed to electric can openers).

Believe me when I tell you, I know can openers.  Aside from being a kitchenware buyer, I have a work-out crazed husband that for @ 5 yrs ate a can of tuna everyday (protein, protein, protein).  We have gone through so many can openers, it’s a little bit nuts.  I guess now I can chalk it up to research.

My biggest gripe with can openers is hands down the blades.  Rust, grime, overall ick stuck in there.  Yikes.  If I can’t get a can opener clean, its next stop is casa garbage.

Cleaning tips/tricks:

• Hand wash.  Especially if you have hard water/water softener.  I found this out the hard way.  I had a great can opener that quickly corroded.  I contacted the vendor and our gadget designer who both informed me that the salt accelerates the corrosion process.
• Rinse between uses and deep clean every 10 uses or so with dish soap and warm water.
• Fold up a paper towel in to a small square and ‘run’ it through the blades like you are opening a can.  Run the paper towel through several times until it comes out clean.  You’ll be amazed at how much ick is stuck in between the blades.
• You can also use an old/cheap toothbrush to really scrub the gears.

Product Recommendations (I preface this with, there are hundreds of can openers, these are my personal faves. If you have a specific can opener you have questions about let me know):

1. OXO Smooth Edge Can Opener– Amazing can opener.  Cuts the entire top of the can off.  No sharp edges! The blades do not touch food!  Huge bonus.  From a bacteria and cleanliness standpoint, this is a major feature of this product.  The handles also feel great in your hand.  You can buy this can opener for @$22.00 at most retailers (such as Bed Bath and Beyond and Williams Sonoma) and a slightly smaller version for @$19.99 (at Target and Kmart).  See video below for a short instructional video on how to use this cool can opener.
2. Zyliss Lock-n-Lift can opener- This is a more conventional model but some pretty amazing bonus features.  It completely comes unhinged so that you can clean between the blades.  It has a magnet that holds the lid for hands free disposal.  The handles are rubberized to give you a great grip.   It retails for @$15.00 on Amazon or at Bed Bath and Beyond.
3. Pampered Chef Smooth-Edge Can Opener-  I am giving this an honorable mention because I have not personally tried this one.  I am not familiar at all with Pampered Chef products but I have had several people mention this particular one to me and saw several great reviews online.  It retails for $20.00.  If any of my brilliant blog followers owns one or sells Pampered Chef please add some fun facts about this can opener so that others can see.  Thanks!

How to Video (from You Tube):

Happy Can Opening Everyone?!  (Um… couldn’t really come up with a kitschy ending for this one).