Essential Utensils

• One 8-inch chef's knife--for chopping.
• One 10-inch slicing knife--for slicing meat and poultry.
• Two 3/4-inch paring knives--(one for you and one to share).
• One serrated bread knife--for bread and tomatoes.
• One boning knife--for deboning meat, poultry and fish.
• Knife sharpener (electric or stone)--to keep your knives very sharp.
• Knife block--to store your knives safely.
• One or two vegetable peelers--for potatoes, carrots and apples.
• Three to five different sized rubber spatulas--for cleaning out bowls, folding ingredients or getting the last little bit out of jars.
• Three to four metal whisks of different sizes--for mixing batters or sauces.
• One to two plastic or wooden whisks--for whisking in non-stick pans.
• One ladle--for soups and gravies.
• Three to four wooden spoons of different sizes--for use in your non-stick pans and for beating thick mixtures.
• One metal spatula--for scraping roast pans and using on the grill.
• One hard plastic spatula--for using in your non-stick pans.
• One slotted spoon--for removing items from water or oil.
• One meat fork with a long handle--for the oven and barbecue.
• One set of kitchen tongs--for moving around awkward or hot items.
• Bulb baster--for basting and removing fat.
• Meat thermometer--essential for making sure meat is cooked.
• Kitchen timer--very helpful when you are busy.
• Four-sided grater--for potatoes, cheese, etc.
• Ricer or potato masher--for potatoes, squash, etc.
• Corkscrew--wine just wouldn't be the same without it.
• Bottle opener--essential kitchen accessory.
• Can opener--electric or hand is indispensable.
• Rotary egg beater--for beating eggs and batters.
• Rolling pin--for rolling out doughs, breaking ice and candy.
• Flour sifter--for sifting flour and other dry ingredients.
• One large metal or plastic colander--for straining or draining.
• One small colander--for straining or scooping items out of pots.
• One wire mesh sieve--for pressing solid or lumpy food through to get a smooth sauce.
• Two wooden cutting boards--for chopping food. (Wood is safer than plastic or glass because of its natural bacteria killing properties. It may be easier to clean plastic or glass cutting boards, but bacteria is killed in under five minutes on a wooden cutting board. Wooden boards are also better for your knives.)
• Fire extinguisher--the most important kitchen utensil of all.

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Original Source : http://home.ivillage.com

Uses for Kitchen Utensils

Kitchen Window visits with field reporter Joe Lovitt to share creative ideas for using kitchen utensils.

• An ice-cream scooper can be used for any job that requires a nice, round, uniform shape. For example, you can use one to scoop out cookie dough in perfectly even proportions (see photo). It can also be used to serve mashed potatoes, chutney, cranberries and sour cream.


• Handheld rotary grinders such as those that are typically used for Parmesan cheese can also be used for grating chocolate or for grinding nuts.


• A standing grater makes zesting citrus fruits a snap. Just place a piece of wax paper over the grater, then zest. The zest stays on the paper, which makes cleanup a breeze.


• Use a cherry pitter to remove pits from olives.


• Measuring spoons can be used to quickly scoop the seeds out of peppers and tomatoes.


• Use those rubber pads that loosen sticky lids to peel the skin off a garlic clove. Put additional rubber pads under a cutting board to hold it in place.


• Stainless-steel measuring cups can be used as miniature saucepans to melt ingredients such a small amount of butter on the stove.


• Fill a stockpot about halfway full of water, place a stainless-steel mixing bowl on top, and you've made a handy double boiler.


• Colanders can be used for rinsing fruits and vegetables as well as for steaming. To do this, simply place the colander in a pan that is filled with about an inch of water.

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Original Source : http://www.hgtv.com

Kitchen Utensils

Everyone loves the fun and functionality of kitchen utensils. Whether you're a gourmet chef or you're just looking for the perfect housewarming gift, kitchen utensils are the perfect solution.

Nowadays, there are a staggering variety of kitchen utensils available. From the old standbys like rolling pins and can openers, to new-fangled devices like electric citrus squeezers, there's sure to be a kitchen utensil to fill every cooking need.

Here, you'll find everything you've ever wanted to know about the wide world of kitchen utensils. At Blueshoots.com, we have a team of product experts who share their knowledge on every aspect of kitchen utensils, from history to design to manufacturing. We're the leading site for valuable information, and we're here to help.

Whether you know just what kind of gadget you need, or you're looking for ideas for a new home, we can help. If you're interested in kitchen utensils, you've come to the right place!

Kitchen Utensils Information Posted By: Blueshoots.com

Arming Your Kitchen With Basic Cooking Utensils


There’s no doubt that having the right tools for the job make sany task easier, and there’s no better place to illustrate this than in the kitchen, where having the right cooking utensils can be the difference between creating good meals and great meals.

Many cooks think about major appliances such as the stove and refrigerator when planning to equip their kitchens, but to be a success in the kitchen, you need to have a good selection of cooking utensils in addition to the bigger items. And don’t forget, cooking utensils means more than just spoons; there’s a host of small cooking utensils ranging from cutting devices, juicers, graters and more.

Think about what you do in a kitchen and about how different cooking utensils come into play for each task:

• Washing and drying fresh produce – always easy to accomplish with a strainer and salad spinner. A vegetable peeler is also an important addition to your cooking utensils closet.

• Slicing, chopping and dicing all kinds of food and garnishes – a food processor makes short work of vegetables, but mandolins, knives and graters are also helpful cooking utensils to have on hand.

• Measuring – cooking and baking can be a form of art and recipes should be followed as precisely as possible so measuring dishes, cups (both wet and dry measures) and measuring spoons are invaluable cooking utensils.

• Weighing – depending on what you like to cook, you may want to add a food scale to your shopping list of cooking utensils. Such a tool can be excellent for portioning meat and other products that have cooking times affected by weight.

• Temperature – as important as measures are temperatures, which can affect the success of your kitchen endeavors. An oven or meat thermometer is key to having properly cooked meat that is safe to eat, and should be included in your pantry of cooking utensils.

• Mixing – no kitchen would be complete without a cadre of mixing bowls in its cooking utensils cupboard. Having a selection of bowls in assorted sizes is essential to fast, efficient cooking.

By imagining the tasks you do every day in the kitchen, you will get a better idea of the cooking utensils you should consider purchasing. Think about every stage of the food preparation process, from storage and cleaning, to cooking and presenting.

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Basic Kitchen Supplies Every Kitchen Should Have


Kitchen supplies are necessary to help you make your kitchen work well. There are many things that you can consider a supply. From cleaning products to appliances, your kitchen supplies are endless. Here are a few basic kitchen supplies you should have on hand. Do you have them?

Cleaning Products

The fundamental part of a kitchen is how clean it is. A clean kitchen is a healthy one. There are several supplies you should have to keep this job under control. Kitchen supplies you?ll need include:

* Dish clothes that you keep laundered. Use these to wash and to dry dishes.
* Scrubbing sponges. Kitchen supplies like these should not be kept too long. Once they are dirty, you should throw them out so that you do not allow bacteria to grow in them.
* Cleaning supplies should include antibacterial cleaners. These will help you to keep bacteria off of your kitchen countertops.

Utensils And Other Kitchen Supplies

There are several other kitchen supplies you should have on hand. These include many of the products you?ll need to make your meals and to serve them. Here is the first products you should have. This type of kitchen supplies should include:

* Cooking pots, pans and utensils. They should be heat resistance, non stick and kept in good working order by keeping them clean.
* Cutting boards. This kitchen supply should be properly washed and maintained. If possible go with a non porous option so that bacteria can not get into the cutting board itself.
* Serving plates, platters, and utensils. Kitchen supplies like these need to be maintained. Throw away anything that is broken or chipped. Pieces can break off into your food when you do not realize it.
* Seasoning organizers are also a helpful tool to have on hand.

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10 Best: Kitchen Utensils

• A paring knife. With a good knife you can do anything – well, anything involving cutting, slicing or dicing, that is. This can be used to slice anything from vegetables to bread. A dull knife can be very frustrating, so invest in a good one.
  
• A vegetable peeler. This one is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a lot easier to peel potatoes and carrots if you have this utensil handy.
  
• A good carving knife for cutting meat. Your paring knife isn’t big enough to tackle a turkey, now is it?
  
• A small hand-whip or whisk. This makes your egg yolks fluffy, but can also be used for salad dressings and batters. It is great for whipping things together without the expense of a hand mixer.
  
• Measuring spoons. Invest in that cookbook you’ve been meaning to buy and use these spoons to ensure you add in exactly what the recipe calls for. Keep two sets on hand so that you can use one for wet and one for dry substances. This way you don’t have to keep washing them while you are baking.
  
• A variety of spatulas. Whether you’re flipping an egg or scraping a bowl clean, these are great to have so that all ingredients get into your final product and your omelette slides neatly onto a plate.
  
• A grater. Essential for grating cheese, mincing garlic and shredding chocolate - a lot easier than trying to thinly slice with a knife and cutting your fingers. An even easier solution that is popular now are box graters: plastic boxes with a grater as the lid so as you grate, the grated food falls directly into the box – no clean-up required.
  
• Spoons: a mixing spoon, a slotted spoon and a ladle. With all three of these at your service, you can’t go wrong. A mixing spoon is great for stirring things together and it can also double as a serving spoon if need be. A slotted spoon is ideal for draining vegetables to serve or for serving soup without vegetables for a picky eater. A ladle is necessary for scooping pasta sauce or soup.
  
• A good pair of kitchen scissors. Cut the plastic away from a fresh bouquet of flowers or snip the string off a bunch of asparagus - these will come in handy more often than you think.
  
• A can opener. Whether it’s a standard handheld or an electric model, you just can’t open a can without it.
  

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Stock Your Kitchen


Stocking a kitchen with great gadgets and utensils can be really fun, although daunting. There are a few ways to begin collecting the equipment, utensils and appliances you need. One is to look through a list like this one, check off what you need, then go on a shopping spree. Another is a trial and error method. As you begin cooking, you'll quickly realize what utensils your kitchen is missing.

Believe me, the first way is better! When you want to make a pie crust and realize you have no rolling pin, it can put you off pie crusts forever. If you really want to save money, take some time to cruise garage and tag sales. You can find excellent cooking equipment, utensils, and even appliances for pennies if you are a savvy shopper.

This is the basic list of equipment and utensils for cooking beginners. There may be other items you want to add. That's just fine! As long as a kitchen utensil or gadget works for you, and you use it, it's a good buy. Shop for quality over quantity, especially at first. I have several knives I bought 20 years ago that are still going strong. You can do the same.

Kitchen Utensils Information Posted By: Blueshoots.com

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Some people dream of sugar plums dancing in their head; some dream of myriads of flowers blowing in the wind, and others dream of completely renovating their kitchens. Does that sound weird? Anyway, all of the real cooks in the world would rather cook the sugar plums, use the flowers for decorations for their table, and have a kitchen that only appears in their wildest fantasies.

Since the beginning of time, the kitchen has been the center of the home. The kitchen provided warmth, food, and fellowship. Even in the tiniest hut, the kitchen is still everyone's favorite room. Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, it should also be the best decorated and perfectly equipped room in the house. Unfortunately, most men build houses and have no idea what should really go into a dream kitchen. Women, of course, have input if they are buying a new home, but few if any women really know what they want in their new kitchen until they start cooking and realize what they are missing.

The Food Network had a few episodes about remodeling kitchens. Some of their superstar chefs were paired with homeowners who really needed a kitchen remodeling. I mean these kitchens were a real mess. All of these homeowners wanting their kitchens remodeled submitted video tapes which were judged. For instance, Paula Deen was paired with a couple who had a kitchen remodeling plan that was just a little bit country just like Paula. The completed kitchen remodeling design had elements of a modern kitchen with modern equipment with added touches to add that country look. The finished kitchen remodeling project was incredibly lovely. The kitchen was not the true center of that home. From a kitchen that was almost useless, this kitchen was now both useful and gorgeous.

If you are like most people and you don't have a Food Network Superstar designing your kitchen, you should first do your homework. You might start with watching some of the Food Network shows. I am, among other things, a Food Network junkie. I love, love, love to watch cooking shows. Anyway, look at the kitchens used in the shows. Paula Deen's cooking show is now filmed in her own kitchen in her new house. She created a kitchen that, not only fulfilled her needs as a Food Network cook, but her needs as a home cook as well. She has a built in deep fryer, an inside grill, and many other goodies we ordinary kitchen owners can only dream about.

There are many magazines dedicated to house design and kitchen remodeling. The Home and Garden show also helps people with their kitchen remodeling ideas. Of course, unless you are incredibly wealthy, you have to figure in your kitchen remodeling cost budget. You have to create a wish list for your kitchen remodeling dreams. You might have to do your kitchen remodeling piece by piece. Draw your dream kitchen, your kitchen remodeling floor plan, and write your kitchen remodeling plan. Then you can decide what changes you can make and what kitchen remodeling ideas you can begin with.

Kitchen Utensils Information Posted By: Blueshoots.com

Orignal Source : http://www.ezinearticles.com/