The Wooden Spoon Controversy

Wooden spoons are one of the key utensils in any chef;s arsenail. Yet there is a controversy with howto clean them?Is it just hot water? Do you use soap and what kind?What can you do to get those wooden gems sparkling.

Wooden spoons are a mut for any home chef who loves to cook sauces and soups. They're getting a lot fo usage right now thanks to home chefs cooking up a lot during thiese chilly days. Wood is a better medium than plastic which could melt or become deformed thanks to high heat. Cermaic spoons can cause chips.For millennia wooden spoons are the best. They absorb heat and don;t turn red hot like metal ones do.They are the workhorses of a modern kitchenand that means they can get dirty quickly. According to Maki Yazawa, a writer for The New York Times Wirecutter zine wooden spoons should be washed with unscented dish soap and warm water.  Use a sturdy sponge like Scotch Brite (which can be bought in four packs at any grocery)The next step is drying it with a towel or paper towel.Just pat gently and then let air dry preferably overnight or at least for a few hours.

There is an extra step if the wood looks dry. Use a splash of food grade mineral oil such as Thirteen Chef Mineral OIl or Howard Cutting Board OIl. Keep in mind since wood is porous it will absorb oil over time to hydrate it . Every now and then it does need extra oil.This will prevent it from cracking and splintering which could lead to bacterial build up. Add a few drops at a time  of the mineral oil and rub it on the surface using a paper towel. Don;t aggressively rub it in. The spoons just needs to be well coated. A bit of excess oil isn;t a big deal. This does require downtime for the oil to soak in. Do this before vacation or on a week where you won;t be needing the spoon.How do you know you;ve applied a sufficient amount of oil? Drip water on it and see if the droplets hold their shape.If they're absorbed into the would then more oil is needed. The wood is still "thirsty". You could also just gently wash the spoons as you would regular spoons and then let them air dry. This works for many including myself.

Wooden spoons are a big part of home cooking. Treat them well and they'll last a long time. Sometimes even the studiest tools need tender loving care.

May Gifts From Mom to The Bride To Be

It's May  and we all know what that means - gift seaso for moms and future brides. Between Mother's Day and the start of bridal shower season,, everyone from kids to coworkers have to think of an interesting and memorable gifts. The best bet? Kitchenware. It's not only practical, but fun.

What to get those mothers and brides who like to cook? There's a plethora of items that would excite any cook.Cookbooks are always a good start , especially for those home chefs who love to experiment with different cuisine.You can also buy accompanying accoutrements and create a theme. Have a tangine pot along with basmati rice and spices to go along with a Morroccan themed cookbook. Think a pasta maker paired with an Italian cookbook  or a crepe pan to go with a book on French cooking.Another great idea for the modern home chef is a tablet stand . After all many home chefs and bakers now get their recipes from the web. Unfortunately, many of the tablets don't have stands and hotly have to lay flat on a usually messy table. This is where they get doused with flour or splashed with water or gravy. Keep them from this with a lucite stand that elevates them and also makes the tablet easier to read. Target has them for as low as thirty dollars and can be bought in either black or white , either one going with any kitchen decor.It even has a stylus pen so no greasy or floury fingerprints . For five dollars more there 's the stand that comes on top of a paper towel holder.This actually holds the tablet at eye level - so no bending down anymore to read it.

There are also some great no-tech gift ideas too. Nothing beats a lovely set of all cotton dish towels.I recently received a pair of them from my very best friend of almost forty years.

As you can see they are not just pretty,a throw back to a simpler time in cooking and in kitchens.It's also practical, being made with a very sturdy , moisture absorbent cotton. The top ecru ones are crocheted and would even make lovely place mats.These are easy to make for  those who know how to knit and crochet.. My towels came with this

A really elegant bottle of dishwashing soap. It's an aromatic blend of lavender and rosemary that not only leaves dishes clean has my smelly kitchen sink with a fresh , garden scent.

May brings flowers but it also brings Mother's Day and the start of the bridal shower season. Pick gifts that are not only pretty but practical. Thye'll be appreciated for years to come.

Hurricane Readiness

Like it or not  September heralds in the hurricane season.It means power outages , frenzied trips to the grocery store and evacuating hearth and home.It also means feeding yourself and your family under the most dire of circumstances. Don't panic. Just be ready foodwise.

Blackouts are almost common as flooding and heavy winds during  a storm outage.  A closed fridge will stay cold for four hours while a freezer lasts up to two full days.Cook the perishables first. If you don't have the use of your oven or microwave, use the grill Surprisingly enough you can even grill meat loaf. Water can also be heated over coals but just be careful with this. Coffee can also be heated up on the grill along with milk (don't try this with baby formula. Try to find a microwave for this last). The hot water can also be used for washing too It does pay to have any kind of portable freezer just in case the electricity is knocked out. Put the meats , eggs ,egg  based foods like mayo and dairy in it first. Fruit and vegetables are fine without the cold Even juice and sold can be drunk warm - as vile as that sounds. Cook the meats first.Make it fun. Spiralize hot dogs which is easy to do, thanks to a skewer and a knife, and wrap in bacon. Hamburgers can get spiced up with any dry spice. You can even use pizza sauce to create a pizza burger. The sauce can be cooked separately on another part of the grill .Use a small pan to do so. Get rid of any chicken. Again use spices to create a tasty dry rub.

What happens in case of an evacuation? Take your food along with your animal companion's foods. The ideal situation is staying with family or friends. There , you'll know you receive hot meals in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Sometimes that's not always the case. If you have to stay at a motel or hotel, get one where the room has a mini fridge and see if you can bring in  a hot plate . The alternative is eating out . Bring cereal, and rolls along with butter and margarine to store in your temporary digs.   and the kids can have a cold breakfast and you can  save money by eating in. Bring in cold cuts cheese. and fruit too, if the mini fridge can hold them. You can have lunch or dinner in too, Some motels have  microwaves in their vending machine nook, You'll have to share but it's a small price to pay for a hot meal.It'll be great for heating up soups and sandwiches too . Don't be averse to taking care packages from relatives.It's comforting for the family to share a lasagna or casserole from grandma or a favorite aunt. Also have a cache of microwave plates and utensils from home. Bring a small bottle of dish soap too,because you can wash everything in the bathroom sink. Have water and food bowls too for your animal companions as well as their favorite snacks and treats.

Hurricane season doesn't have to be fear inducing to home chefs. Be practical and pragmatic.it'll make dealing with nature  that much more easier.