Food Basics

Those Magic Thawing Trays

You've probably seen them on TV for $19.95. These things are touted as wonderful to quickly thaw your frozen meat or whatever without the partial cooking you get from a microwave thaw. Yes, they do work, but here's the secret: they're made out of cast aluminum, which has great temperature-conducting qualities. So check your cupboards (or your mom's) for a heavy cast aluminum baking pan. These were popular in the 50's, and may also be found at rummage and/or estate sales for a fraction of the cost. They don't actually thaw in minutes, but do cut thawing time significantly.

Spoons, Knives, and Gadgets

Probably the best investment you can make for your kitchen is a good set of knives. Before you get into paying the big bucks for your tools, there are a wide variety of kitchen utensils available at your local dollar store. Look in at several of them, because they don't all carry the same things.

Of course, you get what you pay for, so don't expect a dollar-store item to last long and faithfully. This is a good way, however, to find out what things you'll use a lot, and want the top-of-the line merchandise.

I buy wooden spoons at the dollar store, because at four in a package for a dollar, they're at disposable cost, and you've always got a clean one handy.

Mixer -- Blender -- Food Processor

There's often confusion betweem the functions of these three kitchen appliances -- more than any others. They don't have the same functions, so let's look at what we 've really got here.

Mixer -- This is either a hand mixer, stored in a cupoboard, or a big stand version, that sits on the counter. In some really serious kitchens, has its own little cubbyhole. Mixers are designed to mix or beat things like whipping cream, meringue, or cake mixes. They incorporate lots of air into a batter for fluff purposes. Some of the big ones have dough hooks for kneading bread, but that's really about it.

Blender -- Other than making margaritas or crushed ice for parties, a blender can make mayonnaise, gazpacho, or grind peanuts for peanut butter. It cannot beat egg whites for meringues, beat cake mixes, etc. A blender is good for emergencies, to smooth out a lumpy sauce.

Food Processor -- You can chop your veg for a stir fry, zip up a pie dough, grate cheese or cabbage, and slice potatoes for home fries. A food processor is good to make a homestyle salsa, and you may even be able to sneak a commercial cake mix by one, but don't expect to whip creme in a food processor.