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Cooking Little is a kitchen shopping and tips blog for urban dwellers and anyone who cooks in a small kitchen. Beyond the kitchen, we feature diversions such as culinary travel spots, classes and tasting events. |
Recently in Ergo Category Look at the Toss and Chop and its space saving properties are clear -- it turns any bowl, whether on a counter or in a lap -- into a work station. After a hand injury, the ergonomic benefits of this odd looking tool also became clear. When holding a chef knife (and typing) was still too awkward, I was able to make chop salads, do rustic cut pesto and salsa and prep items for recipes. A little time is needed to develop the technique, but in a few attempts, I was able to get the ingredients for a chopped salad to nearly the same size for a presentable dish. The makers, Silvermark, suggest putting all ingredients in the bowl to chop together. I experimented with putting the harder ingredients, such as cold chicken breast and pecans, in first to give them a head start. Then, the additional chopping of greens blends all the ingredients together well. This merging of flavors is what sets a chopped salad apart, after all. This tool, with stay-sharp blades, will appeal to cooks with fledgling knife skills, those with certain physical challenges and the generally gadget-happy. $21.99 AT SILVERMARK Ergo
 If you are the kind of person who takes the measuring spoon set off the ring and later regrets it, you will instantly understand the smarts in the adjustable design. By Kitchen Art, the adjustable teaspoon, tablespoon and half-cup scoop are extremely comfortable to use and clean easily with a slider that pops off. (To measure related ingredients in a recipe just measure the first ingredient and slide to slide to accommodate the next item's measurement. This may not be faster than measuring separately, but it is appealing somehow.) The tablespoon is pictured here. Kitchen Art adjustable measures are available at Sur la Table, Central Chef and Amazon. $7.49 AT AMAZON Ergo
READ MORE ON Kitchen Art Adjustable Measures.
 Chefs have their own styles and they outfit their kitchen to what suits them. This impetuous kitchen tool, the Flavour Shaker, suits Jamie Oliver's style and attitudes about cooking and entertaining perfectly. He favors energetic displays, getting it done and keeping the fun going. Home cooks live their cooking styles too, but the Flavour Shaker may not pass the test for everyone. Those married to the tradition of the mortal and pestle may find this item too cheeky. We gave it a go and saw enough benefits, particularly for small kitchen cooks, to think it has merit. It's saves wattage because you power it; though it can be as loud as an electric grinder. To have a good time with the Flavour Shaker it is important to read the directions. (Shocking, yes.) A few tips will keep you straight. Tips such as making sure it is closed and don't over fill it. At first you might think that it is pear shaped to fit smartly in the hand. That seems true enough, because it does. Ah, but there's more method in the design than just an ergonomic fit. If you invert the shaker so the small side is facing down you can take the grind smaller. Our testing included coriander seeds, star anise, black peppercorn, fenugreek, fresh garlic. and chili flakes. The chili flakes were the only spice that needed more than 20 shakes. And a quick thwap to garlic with the flat of a chef's knife before putting it in the Flavour Shaker may help it get an even crush started. (Or maybe leave the garlic to the press.) Our salad dressing experiment was a beautifully emulsified concoction of fresh oregano, Maldon Salt, black peppercorns, olive oil, pomegranate syrup and balsamic vinegar. As soon as the temperature rises, we move on to how well the Flavour Shake works for the quickie Mojito -- muddle in the shaker and finish in the glass. Comes with spoon for scooping out rustic pesto, spice pastes and rubs. Or shake and pour dressings, marinades sauces and slurries directly into pots, pans or onto food. $29.99 AT AMAZON Ergo
 Here's a trio of tools from Zyliss all under $20 that will make the prep crew happy. The battery operated Multipeeler can peel veggies or sculpt them into ribbons. It cuts shards of chocolate, cheese or cold butter. The serrated blades let you skip the boil and plunge method for tomato peeling. More on Zyliss tools... $19.95 AT AMAZON.COM Ergo
READ MORE ON The Well-Armed Prep Cook.
 Way faster than a mortar & pestle. Keep one stocked with flax seed for quick adds to oatmeal and pancakes. Keep another free to mix and grind custom herb & spice blends. Fenegreek, black mustard seed, and caraway all ground to order. More on why this item is a must... $14.95 AT CYBERCUCINA Ergo
READ MORE ON DIY Spice Blends.
 Short on space, knife skills or time -- this slicer offers prep options in less space than most tabletop mandolines. Designed to fit securely over a bowl - it can be used hands-free. Three thickness settings and a food guide speeds up the prep work. $19.99 AT AMAZON.COM |
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