The Kitchen Utensil Drawer
Even an organizing "pro" can face challenges when there is just not enough space for all our stuff! How many times have you tried to get a cooking tool out of the drawer, but the drawer won't open because there is something jammed? Or how about trying to find your wooden spoon in a panic as your casserole is starting to stick? You can't find it because it's buried under so many other things, half of which you never use anyway!
For many of us the problem is that we accumulate things but do not get rid of what they replace. Or, somebody gives us the latest gadget that is more on "looking cool" than functional. I've got a couple of one-piece (handle and blade), sushi grade, molebdenom/vanadium stainless steel knives and I still keep going back to my 30-year old carbon steel chef's knife, with it's discolored blade and worn wooden handle. It just feels good!
Bottom line is we just do not need so much stuff. When it comes to clothes, somebody said if you haven't worn it in a year, throw it out. Sounds a little extreme but, let's try that approach in the kitchen....say you haven't used an item for two years-you probably won't use it ... EVER.
And what about duplicates? How many wisks do you need? If you have all kinds of space you can have a collection of different sizes. But, most times, a single fork can do the job.
In summary, here are some of the things that I feel are a must:
- Instant read thermometer
- microplane cheese grater
- natural bristle basting brush (holds more than a silicone version)
- one set of measuring spoons; one set of measuring cups; a straight edge wooden spoon and a classic wooden spoon
- metal spatula for pancakes/burgers/cookies and a fish spatula
- low-tech hand can opener/bottle opener
- slotted spoon; standard spoon; long tongs; silicone spatula; mini offset spatula; a whisk; potato masher; ladle
- y-shaped vegetable peeler and a coarse horeshoe shaped brush to clean (instead of peeling) potatoes
Of coarse everyone has their own ideas about what is a "must". I think you get the idea. Getting rid of clutter is not just clearing physical space but it actually opens up our own emotional space inside. And, btw, if your biggest problem is throwing stuff out - here is a great solution to that. Give it away! There are lots of organizations such as homeless shelters that provide food for those in need. And they can use all those duplicates!
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