Hellomy Foodie Friends!
The quest for healthy eating is an ongoing task. My mom would always announce to her five children that: “You kids are going to learn to eat right!” This always puzzled us because we ate what ever she put on the table so we would always respond “OK, Mom.” It was beneficial to have her guidance to make those great food choices. We didn’t know any better however, if we wanted to snack there would be carrots, celery, and fruit left in bowls. I wish we had cell phones then to see five children all eating carrots and saying “What’s up Doc” to each other. Looking back, I believe it was around the time I got my driver’s license that I forgot about my training and made a lot of drive-thru choices. These habits appeared fine when I was young. However, as we age our prior eating habits catch up with us as we are kindly reminded of the need to work towards healthier, life-long habits. Our lives are hectic which has led to seeking “convenience” options and making “not the best” dietary and nutritional decisions. One of the practices that our family has been using is having Healthy Meal ingredients delivered to us which we then prepare and cook. We have found the recipes delicious, the product fresh, and the recipes to include ideas and products we would not have normally selected.
We also found that there are standard go-to tools and gadgets we use for each of our meals. It might happen slowly at first: A new, delicious chicken breast recipe requires a proper roasting pan and carefully measured ingredients. It also calls for minced, diced, and julienned add-ins. Or it could happen all at once: Mom drops by for a surprise visit and the only things on hand are plastic cups and a jar of peanut butter. Maybe it’s time to stop using cookbooks as coasters and instead turn to their intended purpose—which means new cooking supplies (and kitchen skills) are in order. Whether living and cooking solo for the first time or in need of a kitchen overhaul, we’ve picked FIVE of the most necessary tools to assist you with your healthy recipes.
Chef Knife: Also called a cook’s knife, a chef’s knife is one you’ll reach for every day. Its wide, sturdy blade, comfortable handle and efficient rocking motion make it ideal for all-purpose prep. Best for: Everyday prep – from chopping and slicing to mincing, dicing and julienning.
Cutting Board: A sturdy, stable surface is essential when it comes to prepping your food. A wooden cutting board will help protect your knife from dulling quickly, as well as make cleanup a breeze.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: You’re going to need measuring cups and spoons for most healthy recipes, anyway. But you’ll also want to pull them out when you’re serving up cereal, rice, pasta, or anything else that should be kept to a cup or could easily take over your entire plate.
Vegetable Peeler: Y-peelers have our hearts. If you’ve ever watched a line cook peel thousands of potatoes or carrots, you’ll know that it’s significantly faster to use a Y-peeler than the swivel peeler alternative. They’re easier to handle, and so cheap that when one gets dull, you’ll just get a new one. Our gold standard has long been the Kuhn Rikon peeler.
Instant Read Thermometer: easily (and quickly) check to see if your meat or fish products have cooked enough.
Now that you’re armed with new information and cool tools, get out there and “eat right.” Stop into Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at beautiful 33 Railroad Pl. right here in downtown Saratoga Springs and ask for John or Paula to guide you to the correct tools for your task. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”
Take Care, John & Paula
