LITMIR.BIZ

       Pots: Pots have two looped handles (one on each side of the pot), range in size from 5 to 8 quarts, are deep, and allow ample space for the expansion of your food during a hard-rolling boil. A good-quality, heavy-bottomed pot provides even heat distribution for cooking jams, jellies, or other condiments.

       Saucepans: Saucepans range in size from 1 to 3 quarts. They have a long handle on one side of the pan and usually come with a fitted lid.

       Mixing bowls: Keep a variety of mixing bowl sizes in your kitchen. Look for sets in graduated sizes that stack inside each other for easy storage. Bowls made from glass and stainless steel are the most durable. Purchase mixing bowls with flat, not curved, bases. They won’t slide all over your kitchen counter while you work. When mixing vigorously, place a damp dishtowel under the bowl. This prevents the filled bowl from sliding.

       Colander: Colanders aren’t just for draining pasta. They’re perfect for washing and draining fruits and vegetables. Simply fill your colander with food and immerse it in a sink full of water. Remove the colander from the water and let your food drain while you move on to other tasks.

       Wire basket: A collapsible wire or mesh basket with a lifting handle makes blanching a breeze. (Blanching helps stop the enzyme action in the food, so it stays fresher longer.) Place your filled basket of food into your pot of boiling water. When the blanching time is up, lift the food-filled basket out of the boiling water and then place it into ice water to stop the blanching process.

       Food processor: Purchase the best-quality food processor you can afford. It should be heavy and sturdy so that it doesn’t bounce around on your kitchen counter as it’s processing away. Figure 2-5 shows one example of a food processor.FIGURE 2-5: A food processor.

       Food mill: A food mill (see Figure 2-6) purées fruits and vegetables as it removes the peel and seeds. You accomplish this by manually cranking the blade, which forces the pulp through the mill. Look for a food mill that rests on the edge of your bowl or pot, which enables you to use one hand to stabilize the mill while you crank the blade with your other hand.FIGURE 2-6: A food mill.

       Blender: A blender purées fruits and vegetables in a hurry, but you need to remove the peel and seeds first. Be cautious of incorporating too much air into your food with a blender, because trapped air can also trap bacteria.

       Vacuum-sealing machines: A vacuum sealer is the most efficient appliance around for removing air from food-storage bags. Use vacuum sealers for packaging dried foods or for storing raw or cooked foods in the freezer. Although it takes up room and can be costly, you’ll realize its full value after you own one. New on the market are hand-held vacuum sealers. They can provide a less-expensive alternative to purchasing a counter-top model.

       Vegetable peeler: Use this for peeling carrots, potatoes, and apples.

       Potato masher: This makes quick work of smashing your cooked fruits or vegetables.

       Lemon juicer: This tool works on any citrus fruit and allows you to extract the juice in a hurry. Just cut your fruit in half, insert the juicer point into the fruit, and press away. Measure your juice and keep seeds and pulp out at the same time by squeezing your fruit into a mesh strainer resting on the edge of a measuring cup.

       Melon baller: With a melon baller, you can easily remove the seeds from a halved cucumber without having the seeds end up all over your kitchen.FIGURE 2-7: Other handy but nonessential items.

       Corer: This tool removes apple cores without damaging the fruit. This is a real timesaver when you’re handling pounds of apples.

       Cherry/olive pitter: There’s nothing better for removing cherry and olive pits. Purchase the size of pitter that holds your fruit size.