We live in a highly fast-paced society in which we appreciate any tools and tips that will help us get things done in a shorter amount of time, not to take minutes away from another task. One of those activities we were always looking to cut short is cooking. But it does not matter how long you spend in the kitchen prepping your meals, you still need to have the right tools to get things done. Cookbook Author Erika Schlick shared the kitchen tools you must have to make cooking a more enjoyable activity.
Nowadays, there are multiple apps and websites where people can purchase already-made meals or buy boxes with the ingredients and the recipes to make cooking faster and more accessible to those who are always on the run. However, with the hit of COVID-19 last year, most individuals had to slow down the speed of their lives and spend more time at home in quarantine. During those months, most of them took to the kitchen. According to Biz Journals, in December of 2020, a large number of American adults said they plan on spending more time cooking as they have discovered it helps them eat healthier, feel good, and save money. At this time, most of them realized they did not have the appropriate tools and appliances to cook the meals they wanted. That is when Erika Schlick — author of Wandering Palate: 28 Days of Meals Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Paleo — created a list of kitchen tools you must have.
● Salad Spinner: Schlick is one of those people who does not enjoy the process of washing and drying the mixed greens you need for your salads. For that reason, she encourages everyone to buy a salad spinner. She recommends it because “keeping your lettuce clean and very dry will also prolong the freshness in your fridge.”
● Tongs: This food expert believes tongs are essential in the cooking process and encourages everyone to purchase silicone tongs as metal ones can damage other sensitive cookware.
● Spatula: Erika Schlick says, “every kitchen needs a spatula.” And just like with tongs, she suggests you use plastic spatulas to keep the rest of your appliances safe.
● Citrus Squeezer: As a Cookbook Author, Schlick adds lemon or lime to almost all of her recipes, so she is a strong supporter of a citrus squeezer in the kitchen. Why is this? “To save my hands, be efficient, and keep the seeds out of my food. You can even squeeze and prepare your citrus ahead of time, so it’s ready to go when you are.”
● Cutting Board: Cutting boards are a priority in your kitchen as you will be using them quite often. Schlick suggests buying a bamboo cutting board because “they are eco friendly, antibacterial, and best of all, they protect your knives. This is another instance I definitely advise against using plastic.”
● Knives and Knife Sharpeners: Knives are probably one of the tools you will use even more than cutting boards — they actually come hand in hand — and that is why it is so important to have a good set of knives and a great knife sharpener. Schlick reminds us, “if properly stored, maintained, and sharpened, you will have them forever.” Plus, the sharpener will help avoid any injuries from dull knives.
As we spend more and more time in the kitchen training the skills we all tried to master during quarantine, it is essential to have the right tools to cook our meals. Cookbook Author Erika Schlick is a great resource to learn which tools you must have in your kitchen.