Reddit mentions: The best cooking spoons

Poor ass anime fan's guide to cooking dish 6

This episode is absolutely golden. Just know that I can write three separate posts for what's been covered today

Lesson 6: I mean, Nikumi appears. You know what it is

Let's talk about veggies. (I'm too poor to talk about good meat. I'll leave that to others) There's only one rule that matters here: Quality and Freshness are all that matter. Price usually follows anyway.

No hyperbole, fresh veggies in season may be a poor cook's favorite ingredient. The amount of great flavor, matched with the great texture, is incredible. Which is why it makes sense that Isshiki and Polar Star have their own farm to ensure ABSOLUTE quality. Plus, good veggies are cheaper. (wut? but that's for later)

Plants have an optimal lifecycle, which means there's a point in time in the year when the best ones are harvested. This is more or less the natural season for veggies and fruits. This is why apples taste the best in the fall, sweet onions are best in spring, and summer corn is bae.

But then, especially in the USA, you can find all these veggies year round. What's that mean? These are mostly subpar ones unnaturally made to be harvested off season, and often aren't as good. Or they are shipped halfway across the world where the season is different, compromising on quality. Oh and both of these sound like a lot of effort right? Yeah that's right, off season veggies are often MORE EXPENSIVE for inferior quality. Talk about a garbage deal...

This all ties in to Isshiki's mackerel dish with the theme of "spring". Timely dishes aren't just nice thematically, they literally taste best in that season and provide a quality you can't match any other time in the year.

Let's talk "local", and "regional specialties". Remember that freshness and quality are all that matter. Local is usually a great way to provide that, since shipping is quick and cheap. Similarly, say Peru may have the best potatoes in the world (baseless rumor), but if you live in Idaho, buying anything but your regional specialty would be idiocy.

But then why didn't I use those as my main rule? That's because they are imperfect guidelines unlike my rule. There are a lot of "local" hacks who sell subpar product at three times the price. Don't get fooled by those. Further, some imports just do things so well, they break the rules, like mangos or papayas.

This is getting really long so let me finish by returning to the grand narrative: How to become a badass cook. Great ingredients shift with the season, mostly with their prices. Buy amazing cheap produce and shift your cooking style accordingly. It takes a bit of effort, but you'll absolutely blow away pretentious recipe drones, AND spend a quarter of the cost.

Ingredients of the day:

shoutout to last lesson: "don needs more impact, that means fat". damn right

Garlic

A very powerful fresh spice/ingredient, it offers a different flavor roasted or unroasted. Goes super well with Beef and pork. Often overused, especially roasted tho so watch out. Matches well with other flavors, which is why Megumi can mix it with honey, miso, and sake without making it overcomplicated. Can be used powdered, but please buy fresh. It isn't that expensive and makes all the difference in the world.

Ginger

Another powerful fresh spice, it adds a sting to foods. Very neutral, pickled ginger is used to reset your mouth in sushi places. Aroma and freshness are paramount, so when buying break it in half at the store and smell the cut. If it doesn't figuratively blow your clothes off, it's almost not worth buying. Goes amazingly well with pork. Also as a top garnish

Skill/Gear of the day: Poking the pot/pan, the non chopstick edition

So I've already said that chopsticks are like the best tools of all time to manipulate stuff in the pan, but some people can't use them. To those people I'd say go learn, but here are some alternatives.

Wooden paddle: Great thing to stir stuff around, and sometimes scrape things off the bottom of pans. Don't worry about burning it, since it's just wood. Extra fiber man.

Silicone paddle/spatula: A very modern tool, great for getting the last bit of sauce out of bowls or pans. Can melt tho, so be careful with heat. Also soft, which is great for some things, bad for others. Which is why you have the wooden one too.

metal turner: Flexy metal thing, it's great for shoving under stuck steak or chops to get them off pans. Great for stainless or iron, don't use on alu or nonstick.

Most of these are redundant. Just buy one you like best, or maybe two.

Poor Ass recipe of the day DON TIME BITCHES

Presentation of the day: symmetry

When you have many repeating elements in your food, try to organize them in some kind of symmetry or pattern if you can. The don already linked would look like ass if the steaks were just jumbled on.

---

Tell me what improvements I can make to this guide! I hope that by episode 10 I won't be seeing any more cereal comments in these rewatches!

part 1
||||part 2
|||part 3
|||Part 4
|||Part 5

While they're a fantastic tool, a stand mixer is expensive. However, having a mixer on hand can be insanely useful. A decent handheld mixer can do the job for way less. Aside from that, these would be my suggestions.

1.) Knives. Get something decent and try to learn to keep them sharp. you don't need a huge knife block, 2 or 3 basics will do the trick. A small and large basic knife and a serrated knife will be plenty to start with. A set of basic cutting boards to go with these as well. Get more than one because you shouldn't cut raw meat on the same board as cooked meat or veggies and so on.

2.) Measuring tools. 1 set of measuring cups, 1 set of measuring spoons, 1 liquid measuring cup. I prefer metal for the first two and pyrex for the last. In my experience the numbers wear off the plastic ones pretty quickly and they stain. And yes you need all 3, liquids are measured differently than solids.

3.) Graduated mixing bowls. Pyrex are also great for these. I have this set and they have served me well.

4.) Pans. These really depend on what you want to do. If you want to focus more on cooking start off with a few basics. A larger stock pot, a sauce pan, one or two frying pans (i prefer to have multiple sizes) and some basic pans for the oven. A 13x9 metal or glass pan is a must have for me as well as an 8x8 or 9x9 square pan. If you want to bake as well you'll need to add cookie sheets and possibly a few more specialized items like muffin pans. Nonstick is sometimes frowned upon by chefs and cooks, but truth be told they're fine for most applications. Personally, I highly recommend against silicone pans. In my experience they smell foul and are a pain to clean.

5.) Utensils. Do not get the cheap shitty plastic set. Just don't. It's a waste of money. I cannot count how many cheap plastic spatulas I've thrown out because they melted or peeled or something. Go with silicone instead. You can use metal, but keep in mind metal tools+nonstick pans=scratched ruined pans. (This does not apply to spatulas used for things like stirring or spreading frosting btw, only to ones you will use on your stove). As for as what you'll need, I would suggest a set of wooden mixing spoons, and a set like this that includes the basic items; a normal spoon, a slotted spoon, a turner, and a pasta fork.

6.) Specialty utensils. Once again, these depend on what you want to do. Whisks are handy for a lot of things and a box grater comes in handy. A silicone pastry brush is nice for certain things and easier to clean than a normal one. A basic strainer was something I didn't realize how useful it was til I got it.

8.) Other Basics: Oven mits, towels, kitchen twine, tupperware in multiple sizes, egg separator, can/bottle opener.

9.) A basic cookbook. I'm a huge fan of this edition of the BH&G cookbook. On top of a lot of basic, fun recipes it includes a lot of extra information about tools, techniques, and some nifty tips and substitutions. I have a separate binder of my own recipes, but this is my most referenced cookbook.

What sorts of food are you hoping to learn to cook? I can expand on any of this depending on your interests.

Is your apartment unfurnished? If so you will need some basic furnishings:

• a table
  
• some chairs to go with that table
  
• comfortable seating of some sort- possibly a couch (a futon is nice if you are going to possibly have guests sleep over) or love seat or upholstered chair of some sort
  
• a TV if you feel like you want one (optional)
  
• a bed and a mattress and some bedding and sheets (obviously)
  
• a bedside table (optional)
  
• somewhere to store your clothing if your room does not come with a closet already
  
  As far as basic living supplies go:
  
  
• 4 spoons, knives, forks
  
• mugs
  
• 2 dinner plates, bowls
  
• some knives for cooking
  
• cutting board
  
• mixing bowl
  
• spatula (HEAT RESISTANT) and turner and spoons for mixing. Also possibly a whisk but really you could usually get the job done with a fork
  
• cheap set of pots & pans
  
• a cookie sheet
  
• a fan is usually useful for some airflow
  
• microwave if this is already not included
  
• books just for fun
  
• cleaning supplies: shower cleaner, clorox wipes, swiffer, toilet cleaner, dish soap, windex
  
• plunger & toilet brush
  
  School supplies in college are pretty basic- you don't need much, but depending on your major this could go waaay up or down. But as far as I'm concerned your basic supplies are as follows:
  
  
• laptop (optional- there are always computers everywhere anyway, laptops are just convenient)
  
  
• notebooks and folders OR binder with looseleaf paper, depending on your organizational preference
  
  
• stapler
  
  
• pens and pencils (I like to have two different colors for pens)
  
  
• calculator (if you will be taking math courses- go for scientific because a lot of the time graphing is not allowed)
  
  Things to consider:
  
  
• Will you be paying for wifi and/or basic cable (if you want a TV)?
  
  
• Is your lease for a year or X months? If it is a year, will you have to sublease while you're away for the summer (if you are going away)?
  
  
• How far from campus do you live? What does the general area look like? Are you going to have to take public transportation different places? Know the area.
  
  I know its scary, but living alone is great, and studying in a university is really not a huge deal once you get into the rhythm of things. You'll do great, kid.

I love cooking and while I can not help you with the soap and other beauty products I can help you with the cooking utensils

As said before- Pyrex Is the way to go when getting rid of plastic (29$)

For Cooking utentisls I would never recommend stainless as it gets so hot and can ruin certain pans. Instead Wooden is the way to go for 6$

As a bonus here is a link to disposable wooden utensils for camping and holiday use for 20$ so you wouldn't have to use plastic.

If you don't have one a steamer is a life changing item, this steamer and ricecooker gadet is a great combo for you. You can use it strictly for gluten free cooking and let your family have their rice made on the stove. at 15$

I highly recommend Pyrex for your measuring cups too. They work in the microwave and are pretty amazing for 15.

I agree that stainless pots are the way to go I checked out the reviews on this set and found that it has the best costumer service and finishing at 57$

I don't know if this helps or not but I did try! Good luck stopping smoking and if I win surprise me!

I cannot help you with a match...

It looks like some massively oversized server, but I can guess why the shape is useful in turning foods without breaking them, and the flat part can scrape pans effectively.

Perhaps when she knows an exact match cannot be found, she will be ready for something like this set?

Or this slightly less expensive set.

A slotted version is also available.

They also allow turning foods without breakage, and the ones with the slanted front edge are good for scraping the bottom of the pan. The long handles are safer for the cook, too.

Bamboo is naturally nonstick if you run it under some water just before using.

It is also safe to use at high cooking heat. The white plastic rice paddles are not for cooking-- they could melt and leave residues in food.

Even cheaper ($1) bamboo utensils in those same shapes are widely available in Asian markets or sections. They work just as well, and do need to be replaced every so often.

Of course, this set looks like it has some of the annoyingly odd shapes that might capture your mum's fancy!

Good luck. My family broke a cheap little spatula I had, and tried like mad to find a replacement. They bought me three different ones instead. They still look for one in any kitchen utensil shop!

My honest opinion: If you can read, you can cook. Literally. Basic cooking is simply reading instructions and following them. Once your comfortable with how things taste together, timing, and what spices taste like, then you can move on to more advanced dishes.

I think a fun part of learning to cook is gearing up. Since most people here will give you a grocery list, I'll give you a list of helpful items that I use daily.

• 1 large, sharp kitchen knife and basic sharpener
  
  The knife if a bit on the pricey side, but trust me when I tell you it's worth it. You only need 1 and as long as you hand wash and dry regularly, it can last forever. Sharp knives won't cut you as often as a dull knife that sometimes slips.
  
  
• crock pot. This is good because it doesn't require any sort of culinary skills. Mostly just mix and wait.
  
  
• Liquid Measuring cup
  
  
• Dry measuring cups
  
  
• Flat spatula
  
  
• Other spatula (for stirring and wiping out sauces/batter/etc.)
  
  
• Tongs
  
  
• Very basic non-stick pots and pans I have a cheap set I bought from Costco that has lasted me 8 years and counting. Be sure to ALWAYS use wood or plastic utensils with non-stick or you risk scratching the non-stick surface and fucking it all up.
  
  
• Wooden Utensils These are nice because you can leave them in a pot of sauce and not worry about them expelling chemicals or melting.
  
  
• Also a holder for your kitchen items
  
  I assume you have basic dishware and silverware, so I've only included common cooking items.
  
  Hope this helps! I'll update if I can think of anything else you'll need.

Cheer me up, Scotty!

On your situation: Christian or not, you've got to tell this person to pay up or get out. They have been taking SERIOUS advantage of your situation, and they likely know that. They see you as a friend and family member that will let them act in any way they please and you'll be okay with it, because you've shown them that to be true. Seriously, tell them to pay what they owe or get out, and if they choose to stay, tell them the rules will be changing, that rent and utilities will be due on a certain day EVERY month, no exceptions, with a late fee like all other landlords do. I HIGHLY recommend doing this because it will save your sanity and kindness! If you have horrid experiences being nice to people, you are less likely to do those same nice things for people in the future because you were stepped on the first time around.

My story: Had a college suitemate, who lived in the same dorm suite but not the same room as me. She would come home, go in her room, lock the door, and sit in there all day every day. Never socialized. The other 3 girls always ALWAYS kept our doors open and hung out together and chatted. She had maybe 1 guest over every 2 weeks. She was a recluse.

One day I noticed my shampoo had been moved out of its place in my basket. (I'm OCD and like to have perfect order, but anyone would have noticed their shampoo was this far away from its destination.) I noticed Mystery Roommate didn't have any shampoo in her bottle, so I put mine back IN place, with a hair draped across it, and two eye lashes near the bottle spout. I asked the other girls if it was them, and they all denied it, duh, because you don't just go using another girl's shampoo without asking. So I told them about the hair placement. Yes it was petty, but I had to know. So after she took a shower, I went in there, and all 3 hairs were gone, and my bottle was wet. A few days later, I asked her, "Hey, have you been using my shampoo?" She said, "No, why would I use your things? I have my own shampoo." I looked in her basked, and she had replaced her bottle with a brand new full bottle. FOR REAL?! Just tell me you used your shampoo and we'll be fine. But she lied about it, something so stupid, and then locked herself back in her room again.

Okay, this shampoo thing sounds really lame, but this wasn't the only thing she did. She also left dirty underwear hanging on the towel rack after a shower for, like, seven days before taking it back into her room. And I don't even know if she went to class because I never really saw her leave much.

This spatula would be a swell gift, should I win.

Morthy

1. This has London on it. Does that count? (on my over $10 WL
   
   
2. I would totally be caught on my couch in this though :-) (over $10 WL)
   
   
3. This is the closest I've got because he's wearing a helmet (on "kiddos" WL)
   
   Akeleie
   
   
4. This is definitely my most geeky item and has been on my WL the longest (as can be seen in my posting history). However, it says added today because I reorganized my WLs and moved it to my "can dream" WL from my kiddos WL. (and I don't expect to get this bc it is super expensive, but it is my geekiest item :-))
   
   
5. Thes would help with my weight loss goal of 65 lbs (over $10 WL)
   
   
6. This because at least I would have something fun to do :-) (on my "kiddos" WL)
   
   Thanks for the contest!

An ice cream cake! My husband's favorite is chocolate cake, a layer of crushed chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, more crushed cookies, and then the other cake layer. Cover the whole thing with chocolate frosting (cool whip actually makes a good one if you don't want to make your own), and you'll be singing Happy Happy Joy Joy

Item.

Thanks for the contest, and happy birthday!

A good pan is key for eggs, if you want to go a bit deeper into cooking than just breakfast, you'd want a small or medium pot (depending on wether you'd like to cook for just one meal or for 2/3 meals, that's just a personal choice), some wooden cooking utensils Something like this, cheap ones will work just as fine, just linked the first I saw. If you have some money to make an initial investment the guys over at /r/slowcooking will tell you wonders about slow cookers, go there and ask if you feel interested.

Other than that, if you want to make some meals that include vegetables, meat etc you are gonna need a knife, something like this should be fore than enough for you.

I hope I was helpful, feel free to ask if there's any doubt, I'm 20 and I didn't even fry an egg until I was 18 so I had to learn a lot about cooking not so long ago, so I think I will be able to solve many of your doubts

I have one like This was $3 on sale.


A flat edge is amazing, think of a razor blade on glass, it removes things scrubbing won't without much effort, scratching or scrubbing for ages.


Often scrubbing will wear down the area around the stuck on food, but not the food, and next time you cook, it becomes another bump in your seasoning, and you are now cooking on old food, not proper seasoning!. A spatula keeps a strong smooth surface, that just keeps getting better over time!

Cast iron is such a joy!

I have a bit of history with automatic stirrers, for the same reason...I'd rather do anything else than stir for ages, lol. Having an automatic stirring tool helps in everything from making fancy dulce de leches (my cow & goat-milk recipe takes 45 minutes of constant stirring!) to ice cream bases to reductions that take a long time to whatever else you don't want to stir for really long periods of time, like risottos or certain types of cheeses, yogurts, and other milk-based products.

For anyone looking for a turnkey solution, KitchenAid makes a gadget that does this (albeit for $400). It's called the KitchenAid MultiCooker with Stir Tower:

https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KMC4244CA-Candy-Apple-Multi-Cooker/dp/B00UL3K6VE

It worked pretty decently...I had one for about a year. My only real complaint was that the bowl size was only like 4 quarts. It did have a 12-hour timer though, which was nice. I ended up trading it out to another chef buddy for a different gadget & settled on the Gourmia GST210 Stiriffic automatic stirrer:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GSLYSRK

It fits on my Instant Pot, with a bit of finagling. Unfortunately they don't appear to make them anymore, so you either have to go third-party Amazon or find one on eBay, Don't bother with the cheapo "Robo Stir" from "As Seen on TV" (sold under various brand names), that thing is complete junk & is totally weak. There is, however, an interesting model called the StirMATE for $60 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/StirMATE®-Smart-Pot-Stirrer-Rechargeable/dp/B076HH4WZM/

Not sure if it would be strong enough or not for cheese-making, as the design looks pretty cheapo, but might be worth a shot...reviews look pretty decent!

I have a big butcher-block style end grain cutting board that my grandfather made, which was passed down to my parents, and then to me. I don't even know how old it is. It has a fairly substantial crack on one side, I assume from being stashed in a cupboard somewhere without being oiled for some time, and a circular scorch where someone must have set a hot pot down on it, but I still use it. It's build up on short legs and is just the right size to set over a sink (the legs lock it in and prevent it from wiggling around too much) when you're short on counter space. I also have an even more beautiful end-grain cutting board of similar size that my brother made me a few Christmases ago, but I'm afraid to use that one because it's so pristine compared to the other.

​

I was also gifted a set of bamboo utensils with painted handles four or five years ago (I think it's this set, or at least one very similar). The blue spoon is the absolute best wooden spoon I've ever used and I reach for it every day. I like that it has one rounded side and one pointy side, perfect for scraping fond and getting into the corners of pots. I dropped it behind the stove once and nearly cried, then went to a lot of trouble to get it out.

Whisks and tongs (especially tongs) you want Rosle. All-Clad makes a good ladel and big stirring spoon. The LeCreuset cast iron skillet is the workhorse in my kitchen and I could not imagine being without one. My favorite wooden spoon has a long handle and is carved out of one piece of wood, but it just has "FRANCE" burned into the handle. This looks like it. Bomb-proof, put some muscle into that cookie dough. I like my Wusthof Classic chef knife and paring knife (I'll probably buy their santoku as well.)

Edit: I forgot, for a non-stick pan for eggs etc. the Scan Pan is great, the ceramic titanium coating has your eggs sliding around but holds up way better than any sort of teflon coating.

Put your water in your fridge as well. Highly recommend using RO or Distilled water. Pure water helps preserve the flavor.

Also a couple things I do that may not be in the guide.

The bucket you are planning on stirring in will have just the 220 workbag in(you have 2 buckets right?) and put the rest of the bags you are planning on using in the other bucket.

After you make your ice and bud cake and add your water (just enough to cover the ice) put it in the fridge for 20 minutes.

I use a wooden spoon like this, makes for easy stirring and I know im not going to damage my bag.

Have enough water to do 3 runs. I will put the bucket with the workbag ice and bud back in the fridge for 20 minutes after refilling it with water between each run. (I do not reuse the water because I believe that will just increase the contaminates in your final product.)

And lastly, slow and steady wins the race. The goal is to rough em up enough to break the trics off without breaking the bud up.

Adulting So Hard!

I made a check list too when I first moved out! I'm happy you're doing this, life will be easier. These are things you will need for the first week, not just "good to have" like a kitchen ladled or candles.

• Power strip (maybe 2, one for bedroom night stand and one for living room....trust me!
  
  
• Tape Measure (TRUST ME!)
  
  
• Trash bags and plastic grocery bags. Start saving those grocery bags, you will use a bunch.
  
  
• Toilet paper
  
  
• Some type of cleaner. Some places are not cleaned and you'll want to wash off the counters or bathtub.
  
  
• Sponge
  
  *measuring spoon I have this one. It's all in 1 and a space saver.
  
  
• Clothes hangers
  
  
• Soap, dish and hand soap
  
  
• Mixing bowls. Not just for food; trust me. You're probably thinking "what else will I use a mixing bowl for". Carrying water to clean something for starters. Go to the dollar store.
  
  
• Also, wherever you move, see if they provide an internet modem or if you need one. If you do need one, go find one now so you're not stranded without internet.
  
  
• Lighter, not just for candles either. You'll find other reasons to need it.
  
  
• White board for fridge. You'll need to jot notes down, groceries or whatever and no need to find paper or pen.

So, a crappy basting spoon is pretty much just a shallow spoon like you'd use to sample soup. Here's a fancy basting spoon that still doesn't compare.

The reason ours is so good is it has just the right shape that exists nowhere else (we've looked everywhere, every store, the manufacturer doesn't exist anymore). It has a flat edge at the front that's strong enough to scrape like a spatula. It can serve soup. Stir anything you would make in a frying pan. It's made of rigid nylon that's flexible enough to bend how you need it but strong enough to scrape or cut things as you cook. It has a cornered edge on each side for scooping things out of the edges of jars or anything. It's pretty much the only spoon I use when cooking and since there is no other spoon out there like it I would never leave it.

We've thought about starting a company to make clones of these basting spoons. I don't know what the market is like for spoons, but it sounds like a weird thing to get into. It's weird how this spoon is so good. It's hard to explain :)

In terms of kitchen equipment, cheap kitchen utensils should be fine through college.

I have bamboo kitchen utensils, which are actually quite cheap while still functional.

I'm not really a fan of plastics in the kitchen, but plastic cutting boards and bowls/plates are cheap and durable (make sure they're dishwasher/microwave safe).

One good chef's knife is all you need for the most part. Something like this is enough.

A coffee maker just needs to be able to heat the water and pour it through a filter, yeah the Mr. Coffee maker is fine. Even cheaper alternative: a coffee dripper.

I highly recommend any of the Jokari brand kitchen tools. It looks like only a few of them are available on .ca, but they are all portion control tools. Very, very useful.

Here, here, and here are some that I found on .ca site.

You could also go with something like a diet and fitness journal.

Toaster oven: I always suggest Cuisinart. They make a good small kitchen appliance. Reliable, and while more expensive than others, it's worth it.

Microwave: You may never have time to cook an actual meal.

Cooking utensils: Calphalon Nylon. Good value.


Crockpot: Showing up on a lot of suggestions. A mini will serve you well unless you're feeding large quantities of people.

Dish rack, a sturdy (large) trash can, laundry bags and smart storage, and kitchen shears.

1. When you wish upon a star!
   
2. Tron: Legacy! I really enjoy watch it!
   
3. Reflection by Christina Aguilera, from Mulan, which is a great Disney movie.
   
4. Thank you for the contest!

>How often do you cook? Do you enjoy it?

Cook once a day, but I reheat or prep lunch and breakfast.


>What decluttering tips you have?

1. Buy a quality pan, pot and knife. You can do 90% of cooking with a le creuset crock pot. Add in a cast iron skillet and you're golden. Buy a really great knife and keep it sharp. Use this for everything. It's much faster, easier than any unitasker. Then simply wash as you go. You can invest, but also look out for second hang/craig's list.
   
   
2. Buy a set of cheap wooden spoons and replace them every year. In fact, if you get this set of 8, that should last you 2 years.
   
   
3. If you bake then silicon is your friend. Pick up a silicon baking mat, and silicon cupcake moulds (can also be used for making chocolates, cookies, ice cubes, etc).
   
   
4. Buy tuperware and then label the hell out of it (it will get stolen). Do a purge once a year to remove orphaned lids etc.
   
   
   
   

Here is a tip you need to know. Do you have a screaming kid that you need to stop screaming? I BET YOU THINK YOU SHOULD PROBABLY START SCREAMING AT THEM TO STOP SCREAMING - that's what logic would tell you. How else would they hear your obvious pleas to calm down? Instead you should try to whisper. Not only will you have the upper hand because you're the calm one and they're the crazy monster, but they'll have to stop screaming to hear you- and their curiosity is far too strong to not want to know what you're saying.

Bonus round? You ever feel the need to whisper when others are whispering? I have used this to my benefit many times in many grocery stores.

this would be lovely

COOKING ITEM!

I love biscuits and gravy casserole. I found it on Pinterest. I love this dish!

Recipe:
http://lemon-sugar.com/2013/12/biscuits-gravy-casserole.html/

Codename Duchess

• item 1 $4.58
  
  
• Item 2 $3.33
  
  
• Item3 $4.09
  
  
• Item 4 $5.08
  
  
• Item5 $3.73
  
  
• Item6 $4.18
  
  
• Item 7 $3.49
  
  Thanks so much for the awesome contest!!

I use the same alcohol stove set up for 1, 2, 3 and 4 people.

I use a Super Cat stove-http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/

and a GSI teapot-
http://www.gsioutdoors.com/tea-kettle-hae-1-qt.html.

Everybody in my hiking family has their own bowl- https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sky-FlexWare-Bowl-2-0/dp/B00UCJGAS0

and spoon-
https://www.amazon.com/Go-Ware-Bamboo-Spoon-Set/dp/B00K6KV83M

Takes 3 Tablespoons (1.5 oz.) to boil a quart.
A single boil will do one or two hikers for a main course and hot drink.

For 3 and 4- Two boils. The first boil does the main course and a second one for a hot drink boils while we finish the first go-round.

Easy and quiet. I like both. ; )

WOOD

Cool notebook

Teachers Carry All

Love Math

Chinese jumprope at recess

School Sloth Would Be the Best Mascot

Favorite Lunch Snack

Favorite Picture Book Peanuts Rock!

Cute Cool Backpack

Waiting for Dinner

Bonus 1


In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.

edit: forgot number 3

This one is pretty good:
OXO Good Grips Brushed Stainless Steel Turner

I haven’t seen it mentioned yet. I recommend a bamboo spoon. About 9-11 grams (the weight seems to vary) each. Nice length, good spoon surface area, doesn’t impart any metallic taste, won’t burn your lips, no metallic scraping, won’t scratch your cookware, and best-in-class mouth feel. $14 for a 5 pack. I liked them so much I ended up using the other 4 as my regular at-home silverware.

To-Go Ware Bamboo Spoon, Set of 5,Brown https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K6KV83M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_ew2xCb436YT4Q

This 5 in One Spatula is one of the most useful things I've gotten as a gift. It really does work as a scraper, a spoon, a strainer, a pancake turner and has one cutting edge. I use mine everyday and it's so handy! Plus it's pretty sturdy too.

Let's do it in the kitchen

A good wooden corner spoon - it's the best of both worlds, a round edge and a flat side.

I have an electric burr grinder like this: http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-8-Supreme-Grind-Automatic/dp/B00018RRRK/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1407271022&sr=1-1

And a kettle like this: http://www.amazon.com/ChefsChoice-Cordless-4-Quart-Electric-Kettle/dp/B001KZH3ZY

My morning routine is literally pressing 2 buttons and waiting. Kettle for a bit, then prep the french press, then press the grinder right when the kettle starts looking ready to go. In go the grounds, in goes the boiling water, and then I mix and wait. I mix it with a bar spoon like this: http://www.amazon.com/Winco-11-inch-Mixing-Stainless-Removable/dp/B000HBOKIA

For the beans themselves, I used to let them make a mess of the cabinet above, but now I store them in a canister next to the grinder. Michael's has some nice glass canisters if you're into that.

17
179

annd This bar spoon! has free shipping! :)

Unless you are looking to look fancy don't waste your money. Just go to amazon/walmart and find a shaker tin, all-in-one "jigger", and a pint glass from your local cabinet. That is really all you need to get started.

If you want to add on some stuff just to make life easier you can get a bar spoon, muddler, strainer, fine strainer (get rid of those ugly ice bits), and a citrus juicer.

Save your money for alcohol to make more drinks!

Kitchen utensils, because I'm old. As far as a song, "The Medic' by Foxing. Thank you for the contest :)

I do simmer it ;-). It takes forever. Once it appears to darken significantly and thicken up, that's when I add the pectin. I just need to get a better eye for when it appears to be ready to gel is all.

edit: I also picked up a couple of these stirmates. So far, they're a major game changer for me. I can sit around watching netflix while everything cooks and just check on it every 15 mins or so.

12 breakfasts 365 days per year is 4380 breakfasts. Lets use 10 years and 4000 breakfasts for easy numbers and days off. So 40,000 breakfasts. This similar spoon weighs 3.36 ounces. Looking at the spoons, they still have a substantial amount of wood left so lets say 2 ounces of wood was scraped into the food over the years. So 2 divided by 40000 is 0.00005 ounces per meal, or 0.0014 grams. For reference a grain of rice weighs 0.029 grams, and a grain of salt is approximately 0.00005850 grams. So my answer from before was a little high.

I have that spatula. It's a fantastic spatula.

My gf's parents got me a set of bamboo spatulas and a bamboo cutting board set. It is the best housewarming gift I have ever had. I just searched bamboo on amazon so this is what came up. I can show you what I have but I don't want to get out of bed atm.

The last part of your title should answer your question. There is no point in buying this thing. If you are just looking for a single spoon option, something like this might be a better way to go.

I don't have a ratio, I usually just eyeball it. I'm sure there are recipes out there. I use a large spoon similar to this/4 eggs
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-9104R-2-Inch-Melamine-Slotted/dp/B001ULC8Y4/ref=sr_1_8?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1418222914&sr=1-8to

you can also get pot stirrers on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/StirMATE%C2%AE-Smart-Pot-Stirrer-Rechargeable/dp/B076HH4WZM

I can never find the right teaspoon/tablespoon measure when I need it, so this sliding measure from my wishlist would be my choice. That way you always have the spoon you need (as long as you don't lose this spoon). That's my WL choice.

I need some cooking spoons for my place. I know they are more kitcheny, but they are essential!

STOCK MY HOUSE !

She was probably looking for these spoons, this nut container, etc. Essentially measuring cups, but more of a marked serving utensil.

https://www.amazon.com/StirMATE%C2%AE-Smart-Pot-Stirrer-Rechargeable/dp/B076HH4WZM/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SZ2VM2S78K0K5Z0712P7&dpID=51Y2G6oRqeL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

No idea if it works or not, just one I found after googling for a while. 50 quarts is a very big pot though, not sure if that would even fit.

Bar spoon

Tin

Hawthorne strainer

Jigger

This is a fairly cheap startup kit that will cover your bases.

Old Fashioneds are stirred in the rocks glass directly. Bitters, simple syrup, orange peel -> muddle -> add ice -> add whiskey -> stir til diluted properly.

Use a pint glass with the tin for shaken cocktails. You can also use a pint glass for stirred cocktails that are served up (Manhattan, Martini). Throw down on a Yarai mixing glass if you get really serious, they're awesome.

If you decide to get more serious tools, I've got a ton of stuff from Cocktail Kingdom - really high quality, sees 4 days a week of hard bar use and a bit of work at home, but not cheap. I'd start with their shaken kit, add a spoon and a muddler, and possibly a Yarai glass and fine mesh strainer. Their shipping is a little outrageous, so I usually pick up as much as I can at once to justify it.