Kitchen Utensils My Faves

In our house cooking takes up a lot of my time. Even more so over the past year. The fact that we moved to more vegetarian meals added more time. Finding new recipes. Investigating techniques. Adding lots of new spices to my arsenal.

 This Danish dough hook is so simple but effective. Cookie dough, meat loaf, thick mixtures for casseroles. This baby gets it done with much less stress to the hand. The thick handle & sturdy metal loops allow you to cut through stuff like a dream.

I needed a flat meat pounder. I use it on chicken quite a bit. This one has been perfect.

While making my Mojo I thought this would be better than using the side of a knife to whack garlic cloves. It is does an amazing job with little effort & no chance of slicing my hand.

 

 If you want to smash garlic get a meat pounder.

 

I'm always on the hunt for utensils that make my life in the kitchen easier. Not electric gadgets. I rather use my own power. I find slicing & dicing meditative. Do you? 

 

I've wanted a scale for some time. Finally came up with this one. 

It fits the bill for measuring pasta, beans, whatever is in the recipe 

that goes by weight. The "tare" feature really helps. I can also use this scale

for my fiber creations that I need to mail.

 

It's a small thing but a big upgrade from the old cheap hardware store brush

I used to use. The bristles are natural & don't fall out. the handle is curved so when you lay it n the counter the oil doesn't slop all over.

Finally got a grinder. I buy all my spices in bulk & like grinding them as I need them.

So much fresher & more pungent. Of course it will do coffee as well.

I have sung the praises of my zester before. Nothing smells better that

lemon & lime zest. Grating a block of Parmesan cheese is another constant.

I requested a nice large roasting pan for Christmas. 

My newer vegie lasagne recipe as well as some other dishes needed more room 

than the good ole Pyrex 9 X 13. 

 

Have you indulged in any new kitchen items as you have cooked more at home?

What's in your cupboard?

Zester A to Z Challenge

 Z is for Zest

My entire A to Z challenge could be about food. Maybe a year in the future. 

In the meantime, I see food & cooking as a big part of my creative life.

 Not a bad way to end the challenge.

The aroma in the kitchen when zest hits the heat in a pan, heaven.

 Current favorite recipes with lemon zest:

 Shrimp with Pesto & Lemon Zest

Tuna casserole

 

I made it! A to Z  2017. Can I have my survivor badge now? 

See you next year. Hope you visit before then as well. 

It's been a pleasure cruising around to see what others are up to. 

Spoons A to Z Challenge

A simple tool. So versatile. You don't need a fork if you have a spoon. 

They also works of art. These were my mothers.

 I use them in the kitchen every day. The patina!

Part of "building an artful life", my theme, involves using things
 that you find beautiful in your everyday tasks. That practice can bring you joy.

These little beauties I found years ago. Had to have them.

 They went on my Christmas list & I was rewarded. Apparently I was good that year. 

Pounded pewter. Plus lots of artistic detail. Use 'em every day. 

I admire the hand made spoons of others. 

The 2 above examples are from Instagram.

Shanna Leino made these. Ebonized walnut, wow.

Would love to take a class to learn to carve wooden spoons.

Of course a class would require special tools. More art supplies. Oh well. 

At a workshop a few years back one person made the comment "We aren't artists, we're collectors of fine art supplies". Funny, but very true.