Some random thoughts on 3 things that make life easier in the kitchen:
12″ Everyday Pan by Calphalon: My most favorite pan in the kitchen. It can be moved from stovetop to oven, perfect for stirfying/braising/sauteing, and super easy to clean. I cook almost every day and this pan, a sauce pan, and my soup pot are the three items I pull out of the cupboard on a regular basis. I am a true believer in investing in 3 or 4 really high quality pans, and getting rid of all the stupid ones that don’t really work. Great deals can always be found on amazon.com for high end lines like All-Clad and Calphalon. I think those silly 11 piece sets that every bride registers for are a total rip-off; half the pans end up unused and cluttering the house. Register for 5 great pans and have the family buy you more important things on your special day, like a wine cellar.
Microplane: My friend and frequent commenter B always jokes about my love affair with my microplane. I just cannot help it; it is perfect for zesting lemons and limes, grating nutmeg and cinnamon and finely shaving chocolate on a desert. Using this tool makes you feel like a real in-home chef.
Tongs: Simple, right? I am always surprised when people don’t have a pair of these in their house. (We have two sets in Casa Lemmonex Birdie). Use these and you will never drop your meal on the floor again. (Something especially helpful for a klutzy cook like me.) Great for tossing in the pan and twirling pasta in a sauce. I love giving these as a house warming gift.
9:58 am on November 15th, 2007
We have no less than five pairs of tongs in our house. Three of them belong to me which is no real surprise since I am a crazy tailgater and one of those pairs may have been purchased halfway to the stadium when I realized I had forgotten mine at home. One of my roommates was a sous chef, I believe, at one point, so we have plenty of quality stuff to use.
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10:15 am on November 15th, 2007
I have a few pieces of All Clad. That stuff is great. And, yeah, it’s best to get rid of the crappy pots/pans. After you’re used to the good stuff, you can’t even use the crappy ones anymore, so why keep em around.
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10:28 am on November 15th, 2007
I-66: You live with a sous chef? Jealous…
Ninja: Quality over quantity any day.
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10:33 am on November 15th, 2007
While helping The Princess cook something once, I accidentally zested the side of my finger on her beloved microplane right into the pot of stuff we had going over a fire. I asked if we should still eat it and she asked, “Well, how much skin actually came off?”
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10:40 am on November 15th, 2007
Oooh and the Microplane is also useful for the perfect grate off a hunk of parmesan!
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10:43 am on November 15th, 2007
E-mail me and I’ll tell you who my brother-in-law is.
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11:49 am on November 15th, 2007
Arjewtino: I like where the Princess’s head is at.
CH: Good call…it gets so light and fluffy that way.
I-66: I am officially jealous.
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