WHAT TO BUY

I just love to have as many tools as possible at my disposal in the kitchen, despite how little some gadgets are actually used. There's no better feeling than having just the right knife, or zesting citrus with a zester, or making a meat rub by combining ingredients in my mortar and pestle. I'd like to share suggestions for tools that make food prep easier and/or more enjoyable.

Microplane

I can't keep this thing clean. Oh, it cleans up in a jiff - I just never stop using the thing! I purchased the Premium Zester/Grater recently and I can't put it down. We use it to zest citrus, grate hard cheeses like parmesan and asiago, mince garlic cloves and grind nutmeg. Food prep is a snap - and a pleasure - with this kitchen staple. Available virtually anywhere that sells kitchenware (I got mine at Winners).

Jamie Oliver's Flavour Shaker

This little beauty can help you make your own vinaigrettes, marinades, rubs and sauces like a pro. And this thing really works. The key to its effectiveness is the ceramic ball inside that crushes up ingredients - even garlic cloves, herbs, and whole spices - when the vessel is shaken. For tips and recipes, go to Jamie's Flavour Shaker site.

More to come...

If you have a tool that makes your life easier

or that you just can't live without, drop me a line!

 info@stratfordscooking.com.