Food helpers from the king of the kitchen
James Linden rounds up his kitchen must-haves
Being a foodie and someone who is passionate about cooking, it’s safe to say that the kitchen is where you will find me most of the time. I’m no professional chef; however, when it comes to a kitchen gadget my inner geek comes to life.
Over the years, I have trialled and tested many kitchen gadgets. Some have made the cut and landed a permanent place in the Linden kitchen; others have not been so fortunate.
Low-budget essentials
1. Microplane Zester Grater
Lakeland £23.99
If you have never zested something with a microplane, then you have never really zested anything at all. I know it sounds crazy, but zesting with this is a dream come true. It glides across citrus so effortlessly, taking off just the right amount. It can also be used to grate chocolate or cheese.
2. Oxo Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Tool
Fenwick £9
Before I had one, I always thought this was a bit of a fad, but it works really well (and is far less dangerous than using a knife.) It cuts through the avocado skin, slices the flesh and never has de-pipping been so easy!
3. Garlic Press
Various £5-£15
This is the one thing I really can’t live without. I would say I use a garlic press for 90 percent of my cooking. Simply place a whole garlic clove in the press (no need to peel), squeeze together and perfectly crushed garlic comes out, leaving the skin to be discarded. Top tip: use a knife to cut away the crushed garlic – it means the peel will come out much easier.
Push-the-boat-out luxuries
4. Velvetiser
Hotel Chocolat, £99.95
Over winter, this has been an absolute winner. It makes the perfect hot chocolate. Just add some flaked chocolate (we have used both Hotel Chocolat’s luxurious sachets and grated our own), add some milk and press the button. After around two minutes, you have the most velvety, silky-smooth hot chocolate. It is also the perfect temperature to instantly enjoy. Top tip if you are using non-dairy milk, go for ‘barista milk’ – it’s
so much creamier.
5. Global Ceramic Knife Sharpener
Kitchen Knives £47.95
Every home cook can benefit from having a sharp knife to work with. I have tried my fair share of knife sharpeners, from a traditional Japanese whetstone to a £5 budget gadget. This one is by far the most superior. Simply fill the ‘trough’ with water and run the knife across each wheel six or seven times. It’s simple and quick to use, creates a perfectly sharp edge and, most importantly, it doesn’t damage your knives.
6. Meater
Meater £79
The ultimate meat thermometer. Whether you are cooking your Friday night roast in the oven, or slow cooking on the BBQ, this is a brilliant piece of kit.
It is wireless and Bluetooth-enabled, so no need for wires. You can tailor your cook based on cut of meat and target temperature and, because it connects to your phone, you can keep a constant eye on how things are progressing (and even get notifications when your food is ready to serve).
7. Le Creuset Wine Bottle Opener
John Lewis £37
There are many bottle openers available, but this one comes with the quality you would expect from Le Creuset. The difference is the ‘two step’ design, which allows for extra leverage and a more seamless effortless cork removal. There is a plastic-handled version available for around £23 and I am sure it works just as well, but it’s not as elegant-looking.
One to avoid
8. Egg poacher
Various £ too much
Unfortunately, this doesn’t do exactly what it says on the tin. Is it easy to use? Yes. Does it cook your egg in pan of water? Yes. Does it create a perfectly poached egg? Not in my opinion. I found the finished product
to lack the finesse of a poached egg and had more of a fried egg appearance (without the oil).
Follow my Instagram page, www.instagram.com/livelikelinden where you can see some recipes, restaurant reviews and a lot of pics of food!
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