Tools

My husband is a carpenter and his mantra is, "You are only as good as the tools you use." One look into our garage and I am assured that he is a really great carpenter. I have no idea what all that hardware is called but I know that he is often the envy of the DIY crowd. He also likes to remind me that I should not be using dull knives and Tupperware from 1972 (maybe I like harvest gold). I agree with him on most counts but I often cringe at the cost of the really high end kitchen tools. I don't cook for a living so it is difficult to justify such expenditures on a regular basis.

I confess that I have a few non-negotiable tools in my kitchen, no what matter the cost. One of the biggies is a Kitchen Aid mixer. My family doesn't need a DNA test to determine whether we are related. Just check our kitchens and if there is a Kitchen Aid mixer on the counter, there is a good chance that we share the same genetics. I actually wore out my first mixer, after replacing the motor once in an attempt to add more life to my friend. I now have an upgraded machine, sans the harvest gold color. It is a faithful workhorse for any mixing project.

My microplane also holds a special place in my kitchen. I resisted its purchase due to owning a couple of perfectly good graters. My sister gave me one for a gift and now I'm hooked. I use it for ginger, citrus zest, garlic, nutmeg, whatever needs a fine touch. My husband wholeheartedly approves the status of this one as it looks like something he carries around in his truck.

I have limited counter space so I don't make countertop appliance purchases without some serious thought. I hesitantly bought a small food processor a few years ago, fully believing I would regret it within a month. It has become one of my favorite go-to timesavers. It takes the knuckle shaving out of any grating job and whirs up bread crumbs in seconds. It is worth the prime real estate it inhabits.

A tomato slicer knife came into my life unintentionally. It was a gift from one of my husband's customers. It has become the one knife that I will dig in the garbage for if it is misplaced (yes, I have done that and found it buried under some vegetable peelings). It goes far beyond tomatoes with its clean slicing of fruits, veggies, bread, baked goods, whatever. And its sharp tip makes it a good stabber. I have since ordered two more so I'm prepared the next time I accidentally toss one out.

I'm sure most carpenters and cooks will admit that there is always one more tool that would make life easier. For me, I think it might be time for a new Dutch oven. Mine was a wedding gift (circa 1976) and despite its well constructed harvest gold splendor, I am feeling the need for an update. My secret desire is a Le Creuset, any color. One look at the price, however, and I can easily convince myself that my chicken soup loves harvest gold as much as I do.