KD: I read your review of the marvelous knive in product reviews. It is a beautiful knife. And I am sure we would all love to own one.
I have two questions, first, not all of us can afford to pop down $82.50 for one knife; no matter how wonderful it is and how long it will last. Can you recommend less expensive knives that perhaps the "average" person can afford, I am talking between $20 - 30 . I know you get what you pay for, but, for some of us, that's what we can afford.
Second, and maybe this is for the whole group, but other than knives, what is the one utensil in your kitchen (or gadget) that you couldn't live without. You'd buy for your best friend because it has been such a help to you?
For me, it would be my small grinder. I bought it as a blender to use for smoothies --- my kids and I were in love with smoothies over the summer. It came with an attachement that is a small grinder. I use it to chop everything from nuts, to ice to vegetables, absolutely everything. Can't remember my last smoothie, but I know I used this utensil this Am for the pork roast I'm making for supper. What one thing in your kitchen can't you live without?
It's never too late to get it right.
Posts: 3473 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
I use my mandolin a lot. We love oven fries with white or sweet potatos. I can use little or no oil. I like the OXO brand. I have thought about investing in a fancy, expensive one, but an so happy with my $30.00 mandoline!
Wow, I totally missed this thread when it was first created, probably because it started on the day I left the country for my birthday vacation and then I was so overwhelmed after a week of being gone that I had to skip some threads when I got back to get caught up!
Kitchen things I love...
1. Olive oil dispenser bottle...one of those square glass bottles with sort of a bartender-type spout on it that only puts out a little oil at a time.
2. My Misto filled with olive oil. I use this mostly when I am roasting veggies. I use #1 when I just need a little oil in the pan.
3. Le Creuset covered baking dish. I guess you could call this a small Dutch oven. Le Creuset pans are expensive as heck (they're enamel-covered cast iron) but they are great at distributing and holding heat evenly.
4. Nonstick stirfry pan. I can't remember what brand but I think it may be T-fal. I can cook up the stickiest mess of stir fry with honey, soy, etc., and this pan never even needs to soak. Cleans right up. This is important for a person who hates to wash dishes as much as I do and who dos not have a dishwasher.
5. Chicago Cutlery knives. I have paring, bread and chef knives by them. They're not as pricey as some of the big brands but REALLY solid and substantial. I love the hand feel of them.
6. Microplane zester/grater. A great little tool for various kinds of kitchen jobs.
7. Braun stick blender. I'm amazed I haven't worn this thing out yet--I use it for a thousand and one duties, from smoothies to chopping veggies and everything in between.
Posts: 7356 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
quote:Originally posted by Fer: For those of you with Calphalon (or other) non-stick pans -- Mine came with instructions NOT to use non-stick spray like Pam on it. Do you? I'm worried about ruining the finish, but sometimes you really just want a mist. BTW, I hate the oil misters bc they don't work.
Fer,
I don't use those sprays, but mainly because I don't like breathing in the mist.
I put a few drops of EVOO of organic canola oil in the pan and rub it around with a towel to get a thin coating.
alli
Fall goals: 1. Bike 40-50 miles a week 2. Prepare new garden bed for next season 3. Heal my back
Posts: 735 | Location: Jersey Shore, USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
quote:Originally posted by Fer: For those of you with Calphalon (or other) non-stick pans -- Mine came with instructions NOT to use non-stick spray like Pam on it. Do you? I'm worried about ruining the finish, but sometimes you really just want a mist. BTW, I hate the oil misters bc they don't work.
I don't use sprays on any of my Calphalon stuff as it is supposed to damage the surface. What I do is take 1/2 tsp of evoo and pour it into the pan and then use my finger to evenly coat the pan. It works well and the 1/2 teaspoon doesn't add that many calories (especially if you are splitting the meal with someone else).
I used to use sprays on my cheap teflon pans and had the same problem that Cajetaguy stated - the pan got all gooey and sticky and I was never able to get it off. Thankfully it was a cheap pan so I just tossed it.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
quote:...For those of you with Calphalon (or other) non-stick pans -- Mine came with instructions NOT to use non-stick spray like Pam on it...
Mom used to use it on her teflon coated waffle iron, and after a while, the surface became very gooey, causing the waffles to rip apart. It was fixed by a very thorough cleaning. One alternative is to wipe the pan with an oiled paper towel.
For those of you with Calphalon (or other) non-stick pans -- Mine came with instructions NOT to use non-stick spray like Pam on it. Do you? I'm worried about ruining the finish, but sometimes you really just want a mist. BTW, I hate the oil misters bc they don't work.
-- midwest neurotica @ starxlr8.com {comfort foods, cottage living & sweet old fashioned goodness}
Posts: 757 | Location: College Park, MD | Registered: March 17, 2004
My knife, Thumbkin (so named after slicing DH's thumb).
My breadknife, Tipper (so named for removing the very tip of one of my fingers)
My ChefN Switchit spatula
My silicon baking mats
My latte whip, which I use for mixing up small batches of salad dressing
My nonstick Wok
My one-handed ChefN pepper mill (grind with one hand, stir with the other!)
My saftey can opener (no sharp edges)
and I'll stop myself there. Really, I see my kitchen tools as my children--I love and cherish them all. Except the handmade corian Tofu press (that was a waste of $50).
alli
Fall goals: 1. Bike 40-50 miles a week 2. Prepare new garden bed for next season 3. Heal my back
Posts: 735 | Location: Jersey Shore, USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
quote:...Can you recommend less expensive knives that perhaps the "average" person can afford, I am talking between $20 - 30 ...
The February 2005 issue of "Cuisine At Home" magazine states that Chef Cutlery brand knifes "are used in 95% of the cooking schools in America" and the one reviewed was "a good knife at an outstanding price". Their santoku type knife is $29.99, compared to $119.95 for Kershaw and $86.99 for Wusthof Classic.
OMG I'd had the Henckel's Santoku on my wish list for almost a year now. Ackkk...
I just received a commercial grade Calphalon 10" hard anodized nonstick crepe pan from Amazon.com -- for $16.25 (usu. $85). I used it Sunday morning to make bananas foster crepes, and I love it! I can't wait to make a fritatta in it.
I'm really all about pans. Besides the Calphalon one. I have a Le Creuset saucepan and small skillet set I got on eBay, and one heavy duty double walled aluminum pan. I need to re-buy some cast iron, and I'll be set.
I don't really have many gadgets. Most of what I got, I left at my mom's house when I moved out. She really enjoyed them and I know she wouldn't buy them herself.
I did have a mandoline and some pyrex spatulas, as well as a flat whisk. But now I find I don't really miss them all that much anyway. I may re-buy those spatulas though.
__________________________ DUM SPIRO, SPERO Check up on me!: My Sparkpeople Log
Posts: 1428 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: March 11, 2004
I am fortunate that we can order utensils through the restaurant supply companies, however, they are still quite spendy. I appreciate that Target has a fine line of knives that buying singularly isn't too bad. AND I do ask for those as gifts at Christmas. We've been to several outlet stores in the Twin cities and they have wonderful buys...watch for those places. I agree my heat resistant spats and spoons are wonderful. So glad I found those. Checked on ebay,but you know I've been burned there so often. Got a quality knife set (or so I thought) and there were all kinds of chips in the handles and knives themselves. They were cheap, but the buyer wouldn't stand behind it. So...I was stuck with $100 sale for two knives and nothing to show for it. Buyer beware.
Thanks for sharing your ideas.
It's never too late to get it right.
Posts: 3473 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
quote:Originally posted by D in St Pete: I have one silicone spatula and one silicone spoonula.
I've got a spoonula and 2 spatulas. I love them!!!
I've got am 8" and 10" chef knife (Henckels - wedding presesnt - 15 years ago) and a bread knife. I lost my paring knife about 5 years ago... and don't really miss it.
I'm also kind of partial to a good garbage/recycling/compost system. Took a while to figure out where to put everything and the right sized containers.
Denise
Posts: 8747 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Target carries less-expensive Wusthof or Henckels (I think it's Wusthof. . .) knives that we buy one at a time, typically. We bought an 8-inch chef's knife from there, and based on how much I used it, how much the boyfriend used it, and how well we liked it, then saved up and bought a higher-grade 6 inch chef's knife for me. Same deal with paring knives. Right now, I get by just fine with the 6 inch chef's knife and a 4 inch paring knife.
I'm going to have to go with Laura on the heat-resistant spatulas and add melamine mixing bowls. Got both at Williams-Sonoma, and saved my nickels & dimes, but hardly a day goes by I don't use them both. The bowls are stain resistant, microwaveable, non-scratching, non-stick. $25 for a set of 3 that stack inside each other. . .plus they have a small handle, and a pouring spout.
I have one silicone spatula and one silicone spoonula. The boyfriend has a silicone spoonula (no spatula). They're workhorses, and I love that I can be sauteing something, and just kinda let the spoonula rest in the hot skillet if I have to turn around to get something else without fear of it melting.
D
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
Heat resistant to 450 degrees silicon spatulas. I use them constantly. I have about 8 of them, and somehow they ALWAYS seem to all be in the dishwasher at the same time!
Laura
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
I love my Calphalon non-stick "everyday" pan. It can be used stove top or in the oven, really great for frittatas . I really do use it almost every day.
I also wouldn't be able to make it without my little "jar grippers"....you know those little rounds with grooves in the plastic that help with opening jars.
Good knives are tops for me. I love the flexible plastic cutting boards (about $1.50 each) and my measuring cups, spoons. They keep me honest and on track.
Cathy Check out www.cooking.com. They have a clearance section where you can often find high quality knifes at a good discount (henckels, sabatier, wusthof, etc...) Ebay can also be a good option.
As for my can't live without kitchen gadget, it would have to be my microplane grater. I used it at almost every meal. Coming in at a close second would be my mandolin.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Brie,
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
. I really do use it almost every day.
