Great tools for Spring Cooking

Spring is right around the corner. If we pay attention, on the warmest days we can hear the faint sounds of birds beginning to chirp or catch a glimpse of flowers starting to burst free from their wintery slumber. Springtime makes many of us feel giddy and excited about what lies ahead in the coming months. What will spring bring for you, vacations, sporting events, family reunions, weddings, or perhaps a new baby?

For me, spring means fresh spring vegetables, fruits, and a lighter, healthier way to cook. Using the right tools can make every meal healthier. Here’s a list of seven essential kitchen tools to make all your spring meals healthier and easier to prepare.

1. QUALITY CHEF’S KNIFE

Spring is all about fresh fruits and vegetables. A great, quality knife is essential for chopping a delicious spring harvest of foods. Plus, nothing feels better in your hands and makes you feel like a “real” cook than a good chef’s knife. The knife you choose should have a very strong, sharp blade and should feel great when gripped in your hands. According to Cooking.com’s Best of Top Rated Chef’s Knives, the 8-inch knife by Wusthoff was top rated in the Chef’s Knife category.

2. OIL SPRAYER/MISTER

Fill your sprayer/mister with your favorite cooking oil (canola, olive oil, sesame) and use it to coat pans to prevent sticking. The benefit of these sprayers is that they will help you use less oil and they are aerosol free. Your spring foods will taste light and fresh.

3. MULTI-CHOPPER/SLICER

Like a good knife, this is an essential spring tool I can’t live without. My brother gave it to me as a birthday present. A food chopper/slicer allows cooks to chop, dice, slice and julienne a variety of fruits and vegetables in one swift motion. They make food prep and clean up easy and convenient. Most choppers have a catch container that allows food to be easily dumped into soups, salads, or wherever you want. These gadgets are really a lifesaver in the kitchen when you have lots of spring produce to prepare.

4. WIRE WHISK

Don’t let a plain old spoon try to do the job destined for a sturdy whisk. I remember my mom using a whisk to make Southern homemade classics like gravies and thick sauces, but as I’ve grown into my own style of cooking, I’ve learned to rely on my wire whisk for many other common dishes. A sturdy whisk consisting of a long, solid handle with a series of thin wire loops joined at the end can mean the difference between lumpy pancakes and a breakfast that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser. You may also use a whisk to beat eggs for perfect scrambled eggs and omelets or to blend homemade cake batters.

5. CAST IRON SKILLET

Once you get over how heavy cast iron skillets are, you’ll admit that every kitchen should have one. Cast iron skillets can be used to cook just about anything, including a great spring omelet.  They’re excellent heat conductors and make food taste great. Cast iron is inexpensive and extremely durable. If your skillet hits the floor (especially a 12-inch skillet), the floor will likely crack before the skillet does. There’s a myth that cast iron is hard to clean, but that’s not true. Cast iron has a natural nonstick surface created by a process called seasoning. To season your pan, use a paper towel or cotton cloth to rub the entire surface with oil, such as canola, sunflower, or coconut oil. Next, heat the pan, face down, in a 500-degree oven for 30 to 60 minutes. Once the pan cools to room temperature, the process should be repeated again. You’ll know it’s time to re-season your pan when food starts to stick to the surface. I have two cast iron skillets—a 10-inch and 12-inch.

6. SALAD SPINNER

Spring is the time for salads, so you’ll definitely want to invest in a salad spinner. Invest in a good spinner, like an OXO Softworks brand or Kitchen Aid, to make washing greens quick and easy. All you have to do is wash your greens, shake off excess water, fill the basket, cover with lid, and simply press an easy-to-grasp knob on top to start the basket spinning. Spin-dry greens with one hand and stop when you’re ready with the built-in brake. A nonslip ring on the bottom of the spinner keeps the unit from sliding across the counter once you start spinning. Most spinners are top rack dishwasher safe.

7. STAINLESS STEEL COOKING UTENSILS

I love the confidence I gain from using high quality stainless steel utensils in the kitchen. These tools are strong enough to stir, flip, or dip anything I need—including our favorite spring foods. It’s easy to find stainless steel slotted spoons, ladles, spatulas and spoons in longer lengths, which make them great tools for use in tall stock pots and Dutch ovens. The sturdiness of stainless steel gives cooks a sense of security when stirring, flipping, or dipping hot items on the stove.