Chapter 10 Kitchen Utensils

Measuring Tools Liquid Measuring Cups Dry Measuring Cups measure milk, water, oil, and other liquid ingredients. Dry Measuring Cups measure dry ingredients, such as flour and sugar, and solid ingredients like shortening and peanut butter. Measuring Spoons measure small amounts of liquid and dry ingredients. Discuss: What sizes of these measuring utensils are commonly available?

Mixing Tools Wooden spoons Slotted spoons Heavy metal spoons stir and mix without scratching pans. Slotted spoons remove pieces of food from liquid. Heavy metal spoons stir thick mixtures. Rotary beaters beat, blend, and incorporate air. Whisks incorporate air into foods and prevent lumps in sauces. Discuss: What mixing tools are shown here? Which of the tools listed would you use to beat the egg whites for a meringue?

Baking Tools Sifters blend dry ingredients. Pastry blenders blend shortening into flour. Pastry brushes brush butter or sauces on foods. Rolling pins roll dough. Bent-edged spatulas lift and turn foods like pancakes. Straight-edged spatulas spread icings and level ingredients in dry measures. Rubber spatulas fold one ingredient into another. Discuss: What baking tools are shown here? What are two tools that might be used with a rolling pin and what are their functions?

Thermometers Oven-safe thermometers are placed in foods during cooking. Instant-read thermometers are inserted into foods at the end of cooking time. Discuss: Why is it important to be able to accurately measure the temperature of a food product? What are two types of appliance thermometers that might be used in a kitchen? Candy thermometers are marked with temperatures needed for different kinds of candies. Deep-fat thermometers show oil temperatures for frying foods.

Cutting Tools Kitchen shears Peelers Shredder-graters Cutting boards snip herbs, trim vegetables, and cut meat, dough, and pizza. Peelers remove the outer surface of fruits and vegetables. Shredder-graters shred and grate foods such as cheese and cabbage. Cutting boards protect surfaces when cutting foods. Discuss: What is the difference between poultry shears and ordinary kitchen shears? With what types of fruits and vegetables might you use a peeler?

Other Preparation Tools Tongs turn meats and handle foods like corn on the cob. Kitchen forks transfer and turn heavy foods. Ladles dip and pour liquids. Basters baste foods and skim fat from liquids. Colanders drain foods. Strainers separate liquid and solid foods. Can openers remove can lids. Discuss: What preparation tools are shown here? What kitchen utensils have you seen other than those discussed in this chapter?

Cooking Utensils Saucepans and pots cook foods over direct heat. Double boilers gently cook foods with steam. Pressure saucepans use increased pressure to cook foods more quickly. Discuss: What is the difference between a saucepan and a pot? What does a double boiler look like? Skillets panbroil foods. Griddles grill sandwiches and make pancakes. Magnalite

Baking Utensils Cookie sheets – cookies, toasted bread Cake pans – shortened cakes Angel food cake pans – unshortened cakes Springform pans – cheesecakes, tortes Jelly roll pans – sheet cakes, cake rolls Pizza pans – pizza Discuss: How does the outer surface of bakeware affect foods prepared in the bakeware? What is insulated bakeware? Revere

Baking Utensils Muffin pans – muffins, cupcakes Loaf pans – breads, loaf cakes Pie plates – pies Casseroles – one-dish meals Soufflé dishes – soufflés Roasting pans – meats, poultry Discuss: What are some uses of bakeware other than those listed here?

Selection and Care When buying cooking and baking utensils, consider performance of materials and finishes construction, including handles and lids weight and durability storage, cleaning, and conditioning requirements Discuss: What are the characteristics of a well-constructed saucepan? Why is it important to consider the weight of cooking and baking utensils?

Using Kitchen Utensils Choose the right utensil for the task you are performing and use the utensil the way it was intended. Clean and care for utensils according to manufacturers’ directions. Store utensils in convenient locations. Discuss: Why is it important to choose the right tool for each food preparation task?