When it comes to being in the kitchen we all have our favorite knife to cut with, the mug or glass we drink in and of course those fun tools/gadgets/small appliances.  I thought I would share some of mine with you once in a while.

MICRO GRATER / ZESTER

By now mostly everybody is using a micro grater and you can find them in speciality kitchen /cooking stores as well as discount and outlet stores.  I use my micro grater mostly for grating parmesan, nutmeg and for zesting citrus but also when I need a fine grate for chocolate, ginger and even garlic.

HAND HELD CITRUS PRESS

What did I do before I had this tool in my life! Squeezing by hand with a fork into the flesh of the lemon or lime, having to deal with straining to get rid of the seeds.  This press gets the most juice out of the fruit and the seeds never make their way out.  Again one of those gadgets that you can find basically in all food and kitchen related stores.  They are also sold in the fruit section of grocery store next to the lemons and limes.  Just make sure when you purchase one that it is not made out of plastic but out of metal, as you will get more leverage when pressing.

THERMAPEN

This is my most expensive tool.  I got it as a gift from my husband one year and was shocked when I discovered the price! About $100 and they are not sold in discount stores!  But you can sometimes find them on amazon or on their site at a reduction for around $89.  All that to say that it is a great tool to have in the kitchen, one of those tools that makes you think : how did I live without you? It is especially great when you need that precise moment when your sugar has to reach that perfect temperature for making caramel.  The reading is instant so great for roasting and grilling meat.  The fact that they now come in different colors makes you wish you could own more then one.

I have a few more tools and appliances that I will post about in the coming months – hoping this will help you in your kitchen.  What are your favorite tools?

from my kitchen to yours

CK, la fille du boucher