Gadgets Galore

Written by Tom Xavier

I knew the time had come for some organization when, one day, I opened the cupboard in my kitchen, and a heap of plastic tubs came tumbling down.

Enough! I began the task of going through my cupboards and drawers, in an attempt to control the chaos and, ultimately, to see what I had.

What do I need three angel food cake pans for? Those 15 pie tins? I guess I was saving them for that big pie contest I would never enter.

You know we all do it: “I’ve gotta save this.” “I’ll use it someday.”

Since the kitchen has increasingly become the social center of the house, where families gather, friends snack and chat, and homeowners entertain, it’s no surprise the kitchen has also become a magnet for clutter. It stands to reason, that if your kitchen was more organized and simple to use, that your life would be easier. So, dear friends, here are a few easy steps to organize your kitchen.

First, arrange your kitchenware by frequency of use, with everyday dishes on an easy-to-reach, lower shelf, and special-occasion pieces up above.

Second, think twice before buying new gadgets. There truly is a tool for every task and we’re tempted to buy them. On the shelves of the store, gadgets look cute and useful. The promise that “they will do the cooking for you” is appealing, but make a pact with yourself that you will avoid impulse buying of kitchen gadgets.

Third, don’t talk yourself into keeping clutter. If some of your tools don’t pass the “love-it-use-it” test, then they’re clutter and it’s time to move them out of your kitchen. That said, before chucking out old kitchen gadgets, there are certain tools I always recommend keeping.

Micro-plane Grater

This now-ubiquitous kitchen tool was originally adapted from a woodworking rasp. But now, savvy cooks know that it’s the best way for grating hard cheeses, chocolate, ginger, and nutmeg.

Bonus tip: Use it to grate cloves of garlic for any recipe that calls for minced or finely-chopped garlic.

Color-Coded Flexible Cutting Mats

Practice good sanitation in the kitchen by using a different colored mat for different cutting tasks: blue for fish, yellow for poultry, green for vegetables. Best of all, it’s easy to transport cut-up food to a bowl or pan; just hold the mat by the edges and tilt to funnel the food into the pan or bowl.

Bonus tip: Use the reverse side of the green (vegetable) mat as a pastry mat for patting out biscuit dough.

Adjustable Measuring Cup

For baking and other tasks that require numerous carefully-measured ingredients, this clever adjustable measuring cup will replace your entire stack of dry and liquid measuring cups. A twist of the base adjusts the cup to the proper measurement line, and you can push the base up to remove sticky ingredients.

4-inch Utility Knife

This small knife does everything a paring knife can do, and then some. Use it to mince shallots and garlic, hull cherries, slice mushrooms and avocados, and peel fruit. It’s that versatile and can replace a drawer full of knives.

Silicone Spoon Spatula

This utensil may very well replace all your other spoons and spatulas; it’s the only one you’ll need for stirring, sautéing, scooping, scraping, and more. Made of silicone, the tool is heat resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and has a springy steel core extending through the handle, which makes it strong yet flexible.

Bonus tip: While most silicone tools come in different colors, consider buying a red one—it won’t show stains from using with strongly pigmented ingredients like tomato sauce.

Kitchen Shears

Keep a pair of shears in a handy kitchen drawer exclusively for cooking use. From snipping twine to cutting open packages and trimming vegetables and meats, a sharp pair of shears is indispensable.

Bonus tip: Instead of chopping herbs with a knife, use a clean pair of kitchen shears to easily snip them straight into the pot.

With this small selection of utensils, you can complete all the jobs you need to without having clutter. Your drawers and cupboards will be organized and appear more spacious. And with that extra space, you might be able to have a dedicated cupboard to neatly stack all your tubs. No more tumbling Tupperware!

Article appeared in our 27-3 Issue - August 2010