We reveal a baker’s dozen of unusual kitchen utensils from around the world that each do a very particular job.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Spurtle
Spurtle – The humble spurtle or porridge stick is beloved in Scotland as the ideal utensil for stirring porridge. The cylindrical shape ensures that the precious oats are mixed without them getting stuck on the stick. Look like a local by remembering that the decorative (usually thistle-styled) end of the stick is meant to be held in your hand. See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Molinillo
Molinillo – Colombians take their hot chocolate seriously, very seriously. Every household depends on their trusty molinillo to stir their morning hot chocolate. If you want to recreate the Latin ritual, you could even pair the molinillo with a chocolatera – a jug-shaped aluminium cooking pot. Mix up your chocolate with cream, sugar and a pinch of cinnamon and cloves. Locals even top their creation with some queso fresco. Yes, that’s cheese and, surprisingly, it works. See more.
2/14
Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Matcha Whisk
Matcha Whisk – We love traditional matcha whisks for their striking architectural form as much as anything else. You imagine they should really be 200m tall, glass-clad and sitting in some neon-lit megacity. However, the real purpose of the whisk and its 80 delicate bamboo bristles (count them) is to provide you with a sumptuously smooth cup of matcha. See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Tenderiser
Tenderiser – This traditional wooden mallet will ensure that steak-lovers enjoy a perfectly tenderised steak every time. While for the more harassed amateur chef, waving the mallet in the direction of kitchen intruders should ensure you are left alone to finish your culinary creations without unwelcome interruptions. See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Ravioli roller
Ravioli Roller – Made in Italy, this artisanal utensil allows you to produce regular ravioli shapes at a rapid rate. However, there is definitely a knack to using these, so prepare to put in some practice at the beginning before you truly learn to love this charming tool. See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Tea Bag Tongs
Tea Bag Tongs – These small bamboo tongs might seem superfluous, but they nevertheless perform a humble yet essential job. Use them to carefully remove tea bags from cups without scalding your fingers. Apply a little pressure to squeeze the bags, while lifting, to ensure the optimal strength for your perfect cuppa. See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Butter Paddles
Butter Paddle – Okay, okay, we know… The idea of churning your own butter isn’t exactly anything that any of us has time for on a regular basis. However, it isn’t in itself such a complicated task. With these beautiful traditional beech wood paddles you have a talking point in your kitchen and you at least know that you could paddle butter if the urge ever took you. See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Wooden Salt Scoop
Wooden Salt Scoop – Yes, you could use a metal spoon or even your fingers to grab a pinch of salt when cooking, but would you want to when you can enjoy the simple beauty of a carved olive wood spoon that will last you a lifetime? Combine with a traditional salt pig for the full salt-savvy effect. See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Mini turner
Mini Turner – Aside from the intrinsic beauty of this fine olive wood utensil, you might ask just what is it for? Well, a mini turner is perfect for turning fried eggs or flipping mini pancakes. It is also small enough to use for spreading things. It is this versatility that makes it our perfect all-purpose tool for picnics or camping. See more.
9/14
Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Rouleau à Patisserie
Rouleau à Patisserie – We could just call this a tapered French rolling pin, but it sounds so much more intriguing in French. Each pin from Vermont Farm Table is handmade and then dipped in food-grade mineral oil to ensure the best possible quality. Time to get rolling! See more.
10/14
Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
General Muddler
General Muddler – No, General Muddler isn’t a character from Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove. A general muddler is instead a utensil ideally suited to all those food and drink tasks hinted at in its name. It is especially useful when you just want to loosely mix or combine ingredients to reveal their flavours rather than crushing or blending. See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
Cocktail muddler
Cocktail Muddler – You could use this in much the same way as a general muddler, but the indented grooves in its base also give you a touch more crushing and grinding power to combine ingredients and release their flavour. Did someone say mojito? See more.
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Food
Cooking Clever: “What do you do with that?”.
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Laser-Engraved Rolling Pin – Our last item and the third rolling pin on our list, proves that you can never have too many rolling pins in your kitchen, whether for specific baking tasks or simply for re-enacting scenes from the Star Wars saga with your kids, nieces or nephews etc. The BILU pin is one of a selection featuring witty laser-engraved motifs. See more.
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