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In my kitchen - July 2014

7/7/2014

 
Cuisipro potato masher - the best ever!
'A fine tool is a treasure. It curves to the hand, is balanced, ready for action. With the right tool, egg whites are whisked...  and stones pop from olives. Zest curls crisply from the rind of an orange, with a titillating puff of citrus to the nose. ...  Robust, timeless tools simplify the cook's life... [and] perform tasks almost instinctively under their master's guidance.'         -- Anne Willan in the foreword to Tools for Cooks by Christine McFadden 


Sage words from cookery writer and culinary teacher, Anne Willan, in the quotation above from one of my favourite reference books, Tools for Cooks. While I do have some treasured battle scarred vintage pieces in my kitchen, I concur that sturdy tools are essential for modern cooks. In this month's In My Kitchen post for Celia's IMK roundup, I thought I'd share a few postcards from my kitchen, showcasing some of my favourite stainless steel gadgets and tools. 

First up and pictured at the top is my Cuisipro stainless steel potato masher. It's a brilliant gadget, ergonomically designed and virtually indestructible. I find it great for ricing potatoes, as well as simply mashing potatoes and other vegetables. The rounded edges allow you to work your way around the bottom of a saucepan. And it's dishwasher safe. 
Cuisipro measuring spoons Australian 20ml tablespoon
Pictured above are my Cuisipro stainless steel measuring spoons. These are particularly useful for cooks in my part of the world, as the tablespoon is the standard Australian 20ml measure. In the nested set of five are 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and one teaspoon, as well as one tablespoon. 
Cuisipro accutec grater
Another Cuisipro favourite is this stainless steel Accutec grater, with extendable handles that allow it to sit over a bowl. The blades are ultra sharp and allow for fine zesting or coarser grating.
Cuisipro measuring cups
Yes, Cuisipro again, these heavy-based stainless steel measuring cups can be used on the stove top to melt small quantities of butter, warm milk and so on. There is a 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and one cup measure in the set.
Bottle stopper
This stylish bottle stopper comes in handy for everything from extra virgin olive oil to the occasional bottle of wine.
Cuisipro skimmer
Another favourite is this Cuisipro Tempo stainless steel mesh skimmer. It's another stylish and beautiful piece which can be used to skim froth or oil from soups and stocks, and it's resistant to high temperatures. 
Picture
This little spiral whisk is handy for beating small amounts of sauce or eggs and can easily fit into small jars. 
Stainless steel pastry cutter
This stainless steel pastry blender is brilliant for cutting butter into flour when making scones and pastry. I finish off by hand, the warmth of my fingers better melts the butter in the dry flour, allowing for a crumb-like texture.
Baccarat Oval Roaster
Last but not least, is one of my most loved items, a Baccarat stainless steel oval roaster with lid. I mentioned it in my recent post about cookware. It's a mammoth sized pot (in terms of length and depth) and both the base and the lid have thick bases, so you can cook in the lid as well as the base! Furthermore, the lid is a stylish piece which doubles as a serving platter. I use this roaster for stove top as well as oven cooking. It's brilliant for making large quantities of osso bucco or lamb shanks. If you see one for sale in your travels, I'd suggest you buy it!

Note: This is by no means a sponsored post. These cook's tools were purchased by me for use in my kitchen over the last decades. Many were acquired when I co-owned the cookware store from 1997-2006 and were among some of my favourite items to sell to my customers.

Tell me dear readers, what are some of your favourite cook's tools? What makes them so good?
JohannaGGG link
6/7/2014 01:44:39 pm

your cooks tools look very elegant - your grater and masher look very functional and different from both of mine - though I love my own very much. I think you know a tool is dear to you when you look at it and think, please don't fall apart because I would never find another like it. I have many treasured kitchen tools - one I really love that is already cracked is an egg flip. I also love my baccarat saucepan set that I have had for over a decade.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:25:43 pm

Hi there GGG... the masher is outstanding... : )

Whispering Gums link
6/7/2014 03:53:35 pm

Love nice utensils. I no longer have a small whisk and need one. I now know what I'm going to look for!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:26:00 pm

Hi, a small whisk is always handy :)

Rosemarie link
6/7/2014 05:59:02 pm

Oh wow, such beautiful tools! Mine, when it does arrive have a lot of burnt marks on it! LOL

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:26:16 pm

: )

Jane @ Shady Baker link
6/7/2014 06:11:59 pm

Quality tools really do make life in the kitchen easier, more enjoyable and more efficient don't they Lizzy? You have captured your beautiful utensils perfectly...my sort of kitchen inspired art! I have not seen a pastry blender before, I imagine this would be very useful.

I have so many kitchen bits that I use daily but the most used would be a fine stainless steel sieve which I use to wash vegetables and fruit and drain pasta. It rarely gets put away. Also, a flat plastic spatula which I used for flipping eggs, pancakes, omelettes, meat patties and everything between!

Happy cooking, great weather for it at the moment x

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:27:02 pm

Hi Jane, thank you for your kind words... It's good to have a few good pieces... stainless steel is always so sturdy. Have a lovely weekend xo

SallyBR link
6/7/2014 11:51:25 pm

wow, those Cuisipro items are amazing, particularly the potato masher (I use mine to get guacamole going, it gives it a nice texture)


Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:27:32 pm

Ah Sally, what a wonderful idea! I had never thought of using it for that. Thanks!!!

Miss Food Fairy link
7/7/2014 12:19:11 am

You have some beautiful stainless pieces - I'm a really big fan of your Baccarat stainless steel oval roaster. Such a classic piece that never dates! I'll be keeping my eyes open for one of those for sure. Love the start of the quote - A fine tool is a treasure. It curves to the hand, is balanced, ready for action. How true yet it's so hard to find that perfect fit initially. Love reading your posts


Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:28:06 pm

Thanks ever so much for your very kind words... yes, do look out for the oval roaster... it's a beauty!

Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
7/7/2014 04:53:15 am

The best products to sell are the ones you love using! I love the measuring cups that can go on the stove top :)

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:28:21 pm

Thanks Tandy, they sure are handy! : )

InTolerant Chef link
7/7/2014 01:19:15 pm

Beautiful photos Lizzy! I love your favourites too, and the best part of them is that they're built to last. Good quality tools are a real investment :) x

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:28:46 pm

Bec, thank you, I think so too... they will be passed down through generations to come methinks.

Mrs Mulberry link
7/7/2014 04:34:35 pm

Oh the oval roaster with lid - I love these!!! I got one recently (following my mother in law's advice) and it works a treat, fantastic. What a fabulous "batterie de cuisine" you have Liz!!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:29:04 pm

Thanks Mrs M! Nice to hear from you : )

Veganopoulous link
7/7/2014 04:49:23 pm

I love the idea of measuring cups right on the stove to melt stuff!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:29:21 pm

Handy idea, don't you agree? Thanks for stopping by.

e / dig in hobart link
7/7/2014 05:08:48 pm

oh, i want ... i now want a new set of stainless steel measurign spoons. so sleek!
having beautiful equipment is inspiring, and makes even the most ordinary cooking task a pleasure.
i must admit i love my wooden spoons :-)

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:29:48 pm

I do too, Elizabeth... but these stainless steel pieces are among my favourites too. : )

MandyTheCompleteBook link
7/7/2014 10:13:36 pm

Lizzy, I love your silver colour theme this month - beautiful and if love your skimmer - haven't seen one like that before.
Have a super day.
:-) Mandy xo

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:30:12 pm

Mandy, thanks so much for your very kind words xo PS the skimmer is fantastic!

Joanne T Ferguson link
7/7/2014 10:23:48 pm

G'day! Great utensils and always enjoy your inspiring photos Lizzy!
Thanks for this month's kitchen view also!
Cheers! Joanne

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:30:32 pm

Joanne, thank you very much, and I hope you are feeling better now?

Elizabeth link
8/7/2014 01:15:24 am

Wow, I love all the stainless steel and those heavy duty measuring cups are a fantastic idea! ! am often replacing mine because they have melted on something hot! So I think it is time to invest. Thanks for sharing! Liz x

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:30:50 pm

Hi Elizabeth, oh yes, do indeed! xo

Danielle L link
8/7/2014 02:12:00 am

Wow, a beautiful tool perfect for every job! I am a little envious!!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:31:21 pm

Hi Danielle... these pieces are not so expensive when you bear in mind their indestructibility... worth the investment : )

Kim | a little lunch link
8/7/2014 03:03:04 am

Liz, I agree with you & the eloquent quote you featured -- the 'feel' of a tool is as important as its function. Sometimes it's downright poetic! I admire your utensil collection because it's simple... and beautiful... and you must love working with them. Thanks for this!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:31:49 pm

Kim, thanks so much... I did like that piece of writing too... it did so nicely fit with the piece.

celia link
8/7/2014 09:14:19 am

Woohoo shiny stainless steel! Isn't it fabulous that even though you purchased all these bits and pieces years ago, they're still in such good condition? And yes, hard to find a 20ml teaspoon measure these days - I'm hanging on to mine for dear life. :) LOVE the bottle stopper! xxx

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:32:40 pm

Hi lovely... they are all still great Celia... looking at the photos I wondered if I should have polished them a little before making them sit... but what the heck... and yes, they are fabulous! xo

Glenda link
9/7/2014 04:25:35 am

Hi Liz, Oh, I do love kitchen gadgets and yours look so stylish, especially your potato masher. I have such a mish mash in my kitchen that I have acquired over the years. Funnily enough, I have those measuring spoons and the bottle stopper.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:33:04 pm

Glenda, hi... you simply must look out for the Cuisipro masher!

Anne link
10/7/2014 08:52:38 am

Beautiful photographs - even a potato masher looks elegant. It definitely pays to buy the best quality you can afford.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:33:21 pm

Anne, thank you kindly... and, yes, absolutely!

Maureen link
10/7/2014 04:29:44 pm

You've got such nifty things in your kitchen. It always pays to buy good, reliable tools because they'll last a lifetime. Every time I look at a whisk like that I think of Nigella. :) She takes hers with her in her purse she said once on her show.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:33:53 pm

Whereas I carry mini secateurs... far more practical to have on hand! xox

Jennifer Milk and Honey link
11/7/2014 12:47:09 am

What a fabulous collection of kitchen tools Liz. I particularly love the spiral whisk. I have two so that when one's in the dishwasher, I still have one to use.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:34:06 pm

Great idea, Jennifer!

Emma Barrett link
13/7/2014 08:53:47 am

What beautiful kitchen tools. I really need to get myself some measuring spoons. I am new to what's in your kitchen so my post is a bit late. It is up now if you would like to read it. Take care. Emma.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:34:25 pm

Hi Emma, yes, I will pop in... thanks for stopping by xo

Judy@Savoring Today link
15/7/2014 02:50:56 pm

I am way behind! I don't know how I missed your IMK, but I'm glad I finally made it. :) Really like the measuring spoons photo, very nice. I have most of those same things -- I guess we would feel right at home if we were to visit each other's kitchen. Except I do not have a skimmer ... I must remedy that. Hope you're having a great week.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:35:04 pm

Hi there... how lovely to hear from you my friend... good quality tools are a must... and yes, the skimmer would be a fine addition to your kitchen xo


Comments are closed.

    Welcome...

    Üdvözölöm
    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2020.   All rights reserved.
Excerpts may be used provided that full and clear credit is given. Thank you.


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