Indispensable Tools and Equipment

Use your head to save your heels. That was one of my mom’s favorite quotes from her mother. And yes, I am guilty of repeating it to the boys. Because the meaning has become so internalized (A ‘fridge magnet says, “I am not my mother.” And I. Am. Not. At least I hope not. Am [...]

Guilty. I've let my kitchen knives get dull. Yes, even me, the one who tisks at clients' dull knives. I could give you excuses, but that's all they are. A couple of years ago, I dropped my favorite Wustof 8-inch chef's knife and the tip broke. My knife sharpener reshaped it for me into a [...]

When I first stepped on a gel kitchen mat, it was love at first step. Cooking requires a lot of standing. Which is hard on the feet and legs. Good fatigue mats provide great cushioning and, in my opinion, every kitchen should have one.

When my kitchen scale stopped working, I panicked. I'm not sure I know how to cook without one.

A powerful blender makes great smoothies, sure, but it also makes quick work of tomato sauce, chili sauce, pureed soups, vegetable and herb purees. It even grinds grain into flour or sprouted wheat berries to fold into nutritious breads.

Is the chicken done roasting? The bread baked? The custard cooked? There are millions of culinary occasions when you need fast, accurate temperatures.

These small, super-sharp mandolines are so easy to use and store that they quickly become indispensible.

A terrific, quick method for making pie pastry using a Beater Blade.

A dependable, easy-to-use citrus squeezer is a basic tool necessary in every kitchen.

This grater/zester was the first new tool I'd found in a long time that seemed to really change my cooking habits. It's now on my list of required tools. I use it for citrus zest and for grating nutmeg, ginger, chocolate, and fresh horseradish (which you can buy at farmers' markets here in San Francisco. [...]