Whether you're cooking up a simple weekend dinner or cooking up a gourmet feast for your guests, quality kitchen tools can make or break your experience. We asked esteemed chefs from across the South to share the home cooking appliances and tools they frequently gift or rely on themselves. The list includes some classic favorites, but also some unexpected picks to enhance your everyday meal prep or fancy dinner party. please look!
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mezzaluna knife
The mezzaluna knife, known as a “rocker knife,” features a curved blade and dual handles. Deb Puckett, chef of Nashville's Ecchi, suggests it's perfect for those who need a break from strenuous physical activity. “As you get older, applying pressure with a traditional knife can put strain on your hands and wrists. Mezzaluna requires a rocking motion with both hands, which distributes the pressure of chopping,” she explains. .
milk frother
Chef Paquette also recommends a milk frother. Beyond its usual role of frothing coffee, its compact size makes it easy to clean and great for tasks like whisking eggs, making aioli, and making Swedish pancakes. “When whisking gets tough, a small whisk is mom's best kitchen companion!” she exclaims. This highly rated product on Amazon comes with her three interchangeable and versatile whisks.
dutch oven
Foraf Vakili, chef at Le Bon Noche in Atlanta, says there's no better gift than a Staub Dutch oven when it comes to gifting kitchen essentials. Traditional French cooking containers are known for enhancing flavor and preparing a variety of dishes such as stews, soups, casseroles, roasts, and braises.
vacuum sealer
Chef Steve Robiglio of Amerigo and Jasper's in Nashville recommends always having a vacuum sealer on hand. This appliance is perfect for sealing anything you want to freeze to prevent freezer burn that can occur with the use of plastic bags such as Ziploc bags. Chef Robiglio says it's especially useful when buying meat in bulk, as he uses it to seal some of the cuts after dividing the meat into smaller portions.
Spatula “Spoonula”
Part spoon and part spatula, this versatile kitchen utensil truly does it all. A spooner scrapes, scoops, and serves the food you're preparing. Made of platinum silicone, it is heat resistant up to 425°F and non-stick. Chef Jason Larracona of Nashville's Mielle claims this is the best spatula he's ever used, and says he's gifted it to others many times.
kitchen tweezers
Unlike tongs, kitchen tweezers offer a gentle, precise grip that's a little more delicate. Arnaldo, the chef at Tio Lucho's in Atlanta, says it can also be used to check if noodles are ready, line plates with herbs, and flip meat and shellfish on the grill. Told. It also fits in your silverware drawer without taking up much space.
knife set
Chef Jean-Georges, the culinary mastermind behind the acclaimed restaurant Druzy & Dahl, suggests giving the gift of Opine's Les Essentials Kitchen Knife Set. Featuring a paring knife, vegetable knife, serrated paring knife, and stationary peeler, it's the perfect gift for any aspiring chef or home cook. These knives are endlessly versatile and come in a variety of fun colors.
vegetable speed peeler
Do you know someone who is afraid of peeling vegetables? This is the peeler they need! Chef Vivek Surti of Tailor Nashville trusts this vegetable speed peeler. “I'm a big fan of this automatic peeler, especially when making spring and summer salads,” he says. We'll introduce you to any tools that will make preparing vegetables easier!
lodge cast iron
Lodge Cast Iron's seasoned carbon steel frying pan stands out as a top choice. Pitmaster Pat of Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, Martin, relies on his 14-inch skillet for cooking on the grill top, highlighting its versatility. “There are some things that are especially fun to make on the grill in a frying pan: hoecakes (savoury cornbread pancakes) and fish.”
The next time you're refreshing your kitchen or looking for the perfect gift, keep these recommendations in mind.
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