Kitchen Tools And Utensils 101

The right tools and utensils in the kitchen can make all the difference. Are you perhaps unsure what is really needed when it comes to cooking? Or do you have to scale down your kitchen and are wondering which utensils you should keep and which not? Then have a look at Heleen Meyer’s recommendations. Having the best choice of tools and utensils, means that you have less clutter keeping your kitchen tidy and organised, and it makes your cooking so much easier and pleasurable.

Here is Heleen’s suggested list:

1. Sharp, smooth-bladed or serrated knife: a sharp knife (or two) is a game changer when it comes to cooking! Ideally you should aim to have at least one smooth-bladed and one serrated knife on hand. A smooth-bladed knife is perfect for cutting fruit and veggies like avocado and cucumber, while a serrated knife slides easily through onions, tomatoes, cheese and meat. One knife with a larger blade is very useful when cutting through sturdier ingredients like butternut or larger cuts of meat.

2. Set of measuring cups and spoons, to accurately use the right quantities when cooking, and especially when baking, these are a must.

3. Whisks: a metal whisk is ideal, and a silicone-coated wired whisk is a bonus, as you can then mix directly into metal bowls or pots, without scratching the surface. Make sure that the whisk is sturdy enough to whip through thicker and bigger mixtures as well. Two sizes are handy, for instance a medium-sized one for everyday use like when whisking eggs, and a smaller one for salad dressings or sauces.

4. Grater, zester or Microplane to easily grate lemon rind, carrots, other veggies, cheese, chocolate and more. Heleen just loves her Microplane hand grater, to remove every last bit of the aromatic rind from citrus, especially lemons – one of her favourite seasonings. Read more on how you can use lemon in your recipes here.

5. A lemon juicer is really worth having, to make sure you squeeze out all the juice from citrus, as it’s much more effective than trying to do it by hand.

6. Sturdy vegetable peeler. It’s perfect for peeling but also making veggie ribbons for salads. Have you ever peeled a butternut or mango with a veggie peeler? So easy! Make sure it’s sharp and sturdy enough for harder veggies like butternut.

7. Wooden spoons and silicone spatulas for stirring and scraping almost anything. A spatula is great to easily clean bowls, jars and more, to never waste anything! A variety of sizes makes the job that much easier.

8. Egg lifter and tongs in two or three sizes for all your flipping and turning needs.

9. Pastry brush is ideal for brushing on marinades or when adding an egg wash onto pastries, if you love to bake.

10. A good quality, strong tin opener is worth investing in! This helps to easily open tins without the struggle, as not all tins have a convenient pull-tag on top. There are few utensils that are more frustrating than a blunt tin opener, and it’s such a frustrating utensil to have in your kitchen—well, maybe a blunt knife is worse.

11. Sharp pair of kitchen scissors to easily cut herbs and even meat like bacon or through chicken portion joints. It’s the perfect tool to spatchcock or portion a whole chicken.

12. Lastly, a good chopping board. Wooden is best, so rather avoid the microplastics in plastic chopping boards and invest in a good wooden board.

Build and organise your kitchen tool set over time and buy the best quality that your budget allows.

For more tips like these, visit Heleen’s website.

Images by Adel Ferreira