Summer Kitchen Tools

The summer can be depressing for cooks. Even though it is the season for wonderful produce, a lot of things still require the application of at least a little heat...and even the thought of turning on a burner can make you break out in a sweat, when the daily high is near 103.

I've had a lot of cereal this summer, but I've also managed to eat well on occasion, thanks in part to these tools:

The salad spinner

There aren't many kitchen tools that I think significantly improve the process they are meant for--most get used rarely and otherwise take up space in your cabinets and drawers. But the salad spinner dries lettuce better than the old paper towel method, with no waste, and can be used for storing salad too. I love mine a lot.

The toaster oven

As you can tell, mine is well-used. The toaster oven is for so much more than making toast. I've made baked eggs, roasted garlic, and croutons in mine, as well as innumerable toasted bagels and waffles (and toast). You can make many of the things usually cooked in a large oven (especially if you only need small quantities). Plus, it minimally heats up the kitchen.

The hand blender

Conveniently small, easy to assemble and clean, the hand blender can be used to make smoothies of all varieties and to blend soups, cold or warm. Mine is rarely stored because I use it almost every day.

Kitchen Tools: Restaurant Supply

First, it was drugstores. Then, office supply. Now, when I need an organizational fix, it's off to the restaurant supply store.

They're usually unassuming little places--you would drive right by if you weren't looking for them. But inside holds untold dreams of efficient, affordable, unbreakable kitchen ware. We have two in Austin, Ace Mart and Mission Restaurant Supply. Ace boasts the bigger selection but Mission is closer to home.

So, next time you need a tabletop syrup (or honey, in this case) dispenser so you can get that "diner" feeling in the comfort of your own home, you know where to go.

Back To School Lunchbox

On long days, I like to pack a lunchbox to take to school. Usually it's pretty mundane, pb&j or last night's leftovers (which may or may not be good cold) but with a little planning and/or luck, sometimes it just comes together. Last week I had a sandwich of olive-tuna salad and tomato on sunflower seed bread.

Apples, crackers, cheese and pistachios.

And my lunchbox, the "Fit and Fresh," which always attracts attention when I whip it out. It's pretty clever, probably inspired by the bento box, and just respectable enough for an adult to carry it without fear of elementary school flashbacks.

Kitchen Tools: Knife Magnet

The knife magnet. We had these when I worked at Dolce Vita; the kitchen was closet-sized, and we threw anything that would stick at the magnets. Somehow I forgot about their usefulness until a few months ago when I realized I'd really rather not bend over and open a drawer each time I used a knife. A very good use of $15.

By the way,  about homemade injera: it's really hard. After a failed attempt at the "easy" recipe I tried last week, I did a lot of searching and found this quite helpful but thoroughly intimidating step-by-step explanation of how to make the tasty teff sheets. Aster's doesn't have to worry about losing me as a customer anytime soon!