Food Processor: A Must-have!
No matter how you look at it, there is one cooking utensil that is nearly impossible to avoid having: A food processor. Sure, using a knife and cutting board is traditional, but frankly it can take hours to chop herbs and vegetables. When you need to chop just one onion, or make fresh bread crumbs from a few slices of bread, this tool is a real help for any kitchen. Its size means that it does not take up much space in the cabinet, and the clean-up is fairly simple (place removable parts in the dishwasher).
The Importance of the Knife
Perhaps one of the most important of all cooking utensils is the knife. So, what should you look for when shopping for the best knife (or knife set)? Be sure the knife is made of high carbon stainless steel. The high carbon is for durability and the stainless steel resists rust. When you hold the knife in your hand, make sure it has a good grip and feels balanced. The handle should be riveted to the blade. Luckily, there are several excellent brands that come in a variety of price ranges.
How To Clean Stainless Steel
Stains on your stainless steel? It may seem like an oxymoron, but sometimes it does happen that your stainless steel kitchen utensil develops a bit of discoloration. If you have rainbow like stains on your stainless steel, unfortunately, they are permanent so you might as well make peace with them! If you have brownish stains, soak a cloth in full strength ammonia and place of stain for at least 30 minutes. Wash normally (always use ammonia in a well ventilated area only.).
Terrific Tongs
How often do you use tongs when you cook? Tongs are one of the more underestimated cooking utensils. The thought of them may bring back high school cafeteria flashbacks, but tongs are actually great for a variety of uses. Use them for outdoor grilling and turning pan-fried meats and fish. Restaurant-style stainless tongs are a wonderful way to turning greens as they cook, serve long pasta with sauce, or even toss salads. Try to find tongs with self-locking devices so they will stay closed when stored.
Pot Racks
Want to free up some cupboard space and make your pots and pans more accessible? A pot rack might be the answer for you, and can be as simple as a handrail and several S-hooks hung on your wall or from your ceiling. Handrails are better than towel bars as they support more weight. 10" - 30" in length will do, depending on how long and big you want your pot rack to be.
Nonstick Utensils
Need help choosing utensils? Most nonstick cookware is coated with Teflon or Silverstone. You should use utensils that are designed for use with nonstick coatings because if the coating becomes damaged, you can't restore it at home. In other words, no metal utensils with your nonstick cookware. Wood, plastic, or rubber are alternatives. While wood looks nice and does not melt, it is harder to keep clean. Plastic and rubber utensils need to be high quality so they don't melt or break in high heat. Check to see if they are heat-resistant. Well-made plastic and rubber utensils can be just as durable as wooden ones.
Nonstick Cookware Tips
Remember, high heat should not be used with nonstick cookware, other than for very short periods (when searing a steak). Regardless of manufacturers' claims of "safe to use with metal utensils," always use plastic or wooden cooking utensils for best nonstick durability.
Wooden Utensils
When purchasing wooden cooking utensils it's not necessary to buy the most expensive, but it is best to avoid the cheapest. Unfortunately these items -- such as wooden spoons and spatulas -- are often made of soft woods that will splinter and deteriorate rapidly. Look for hardwood utensils. These will last for years, especially with proper care and maintenance.
Avoiding Utensil Stains
Ever notice how tomato sauce discolors your plastic utensils? That's because the plastic has tiny pores that expand when the plastic is heated. The sauce gets into the pores, staining the plastic. The easiest way to get rid of those stains is to wash the utensils with cool soapy water instead of hot water or in the dishwasher. When the plastic is cool, the stains have no place to settle and come off easily.