Latest news with #Microplane
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Guy Fieri says everyone needs these 7 kitchen tools
Guy Fieri is what you might call a maximalist when it comes to kitchen gear. The mayor of Flavortown (and newly minted sparkling water entrepreneur — he just came out with three limited-edition flavors with Waterloo) collects all types of cookware, from knives to salt and pepper shakers. "In my kitchen, I have 100 knives hanging on the wall, no joke. My collection is crazy," he says. "And in our pool area, where the floaties and pool noodles are supposed to be? I keep huge stock pots!" Of course, Guy knows most of us don't need quite as many supplies as he does — after all, he famously cooks for crowds, and even films some of his Food Network shows from his house. So when we asked him what tools he considers true essentials, the kind of stuff every home cook should have, he was quick to answer. And though the only brands we could get Guy to endorse in our convo were his own, we found great products that fit his requirements and have outstanding reviews. Ready for a more fun and funkalicious kitchen? Start with these buys — then check out grilling gear from chef Michael Symon and cookbook recommendations from chef Marcus Samuelsson. Guy wants everyone to experiment in the kitchen more: "We don't grab enough of what's readily available to us and play that game," he says. But can a Microplane zester help? "Lemon zest? Oh man, it's incredible. It's the oil and essence of citrus without having that heavy play. It's the real, truthful tone of the lemon." He also loves this tool for cheese. "Hit your pecorino with the Microplane to make it delicate," he says. "My thing about a kitchen is you gotta have the right size cutting boards," says Guy, who favors large boards that give you plenty of workspace. "I like bamboo boards — they're fun to work with and they look pretty. I don't like glass at all. But what's best are the big synthetic cutting boards, like what we use in restaurants." Having the right one is so important to him that he says he often stashes a couple of boards in his car in case he goes to someone's house and they decide to cook. Freshly ground pepper can enhance a dish like few other ingredients, says Guy. "People don't give cracked pepper the weight it deserves." He thinks pepper should be thought of like coffee: A lot of people buy whole coffee beans to grind as they need them, and we should do the same with peppercorns. Guy loves a standard blender as much as the next, well, guy — but "bang for the buck, dollar for dollar, an immersion blender is where it's at," he says. He likes that you can stash it in a drawer and just grab it whenever you need it, versus having to leave it out all the time. "An immersion blender is a lumpy gravy fixer, but you can also use it to emulsify salad dressings. Or you can buy San Marzano tomatoes and use it to make a simple, quick tomato sauce." As much as Guy loves his knife collection, he has no patience for dull blades. "If I don't have sharp knives, I'll lose my mind," he says. Just like his beloved cutting boards, he'll stash one or two knives in his car if he's heading to a pal's house. "I'll see what they're working with and if the knives aren't sharp enough, I'll bring out my own." If you're thinking salt is an ingredient, not a kitchen tool, Guy might disagree. He considers salt as important to a dish as good cookware. "Not all salts are made equal. Consistency is important — it's like if you're used to playing guitar with an amp at 10, but then you don't put it at 10, it throws the whole thing off," he says. Makes perfect sense, right? The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
The Guardian
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
‘They repaired the zip for free': 12 companies that went the extra mile, according to Guardian readers
Sometimes, things fall apart: a zip jams, a lid breaks, a seam ruptures. Unless you're a whiz with a needle or a tube of glue – or have a brilliant repair shop nearby – it can consign the broken item to the back of the cupboard, or worse, to landfill. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. But many companies offer repair services, and it may be easier (and cheaper) than you expect. In some cases, as these readers told us, they might replace things altogether. Their stories show that, whether it's an ancient piece of jewellery or a brand new gift, it pays to ask (and no, none of these people work for, or are associated with, any of these companies; they are just very happy customers). So don't panic: there may still be life left in your favourite things. Microplane coarse grater £26.99 at John Lewis£19.76 at Amazon I had a great experience with Microplane. I was given a grater as a gift, and about six months later, the handle snapped. I sent off a rather cross email, not really expecting much response, but to my surprise I received a very courteous reply the next day with the offer of a replacement. It arrived a week later with some good advice about how to prolong the life of its graters: don't put them in the dishwasher and always store them in the holder they come with. Aideen Strada MK12 bike light £325 at Exposure Lights£437.99 at Amazon A rubber band that covers the USB charging port on my bike light broke. I enquired about buying one from the company, Exposure, and they sent out a replacement free of charge. A friend of mine has also sent lights off to them to be serviced when the battery life became poor (after many years of use). I suspect that, for many other bike lights, that would be the end of the light's workable life. Exposure is a great example of paying a little more but getting a superior product with great customer service. Plus all its lights are made in the UK. Jake AirRAM 3 cordless vacuum £399.99 at Gtech When a wheel recently fell off our 2018 Gtech vac, we expected to have to buy a new one. However, a call to Gtech, answered very rapidly by a real person, reassured us: a replacement wheel was not only available but was free. All we had to pay was postage. The wheel arrived the following day, complete with a new sleeve, 'just in case'. And Gtech even replied to our thanks to them. Why can't more companies copy its approach? Steve McLeod Vista lightweight walking trousers £63 at John Lewis£68 at Rohan I had a pair of Rohan walking trousers that split at the seams (they were taped rather than stitched). I called them to ask for advice on how to repair them. They told me to send them in for a free repair. It took a week or two but they came back fully stitched along all seams for free, with not even postage to pay. Excellent job! Rachel Microgrid fleece zip neck £64 at Rohan£80 at John Lewis I was extremely impressed with Rohan recently. I have had one of its half-zip micro-grid tops for at least 10 years, and last year the zip failed at the bottom edge. The top was still in great nick and I didn't want to throw it out, so I visited its website to see about paying for a repair. To my surprise, replacement zips were offered for free so I duly packed it up and returned it. Within a few days I received a phone call apologising for the fact that it no longer stocked zips of the exact colour of my grey top, but it could offer a black zip or a repair at the bottom of the zip, which is what I opted for. Within a week the top was returned (all package and postage paid for).Angela Wedgwood Stoneware classic teapot £60 at Le Creuset£60 at John Lewis We broke the lid of our cherished Le Creuset teapot and called the company to ask whether we could buy a new lid. We were informed by a very polite woman that it didn't manufacture replacement lids, but would replace the whole teapot free of charge. Brilliant public relations! John Parvin La Conica espresso coffee maker £250 at Liberty£260 at Amazon I use my La Conica espresso stovetop coffee maker, from Alessi, every day. I've had the same pot since 1991 so it has had a lot of use. They are relatively expensive, so you'd expect them to last, but they also look beautiful, as do all Alessi products. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion The little knob on the lid broke off so I checked, but it doesn't offer this part as a replacement. However, the person in customer care told me they would replace the whole lid for free, and two days later it arrived by courier from Italy. Alessi is still a family-run business and it shows. Mark Dorman M10 storm jacket £320 at Cotswold Outdoor£360 at Patagonia Bluetooth sleep headphones £39.99 at Snoozeband Patagonia repaired my husband's coat zip free of charge after the dog chewed it. We weren't even charged for postage! Plus, I bought him a SnoozeBand (headphones to listen to when sleeping). After a year, the sound on one of the ears went. I wrote to the company not expecting much but was sent a replacement immediately. Anonymous Vintage style dragonfly brooch £48 at Butler & Wilson Last December, I lost a stone from a much-loved Christmas brooch, which must be at least 15 years old. I contacted B&W in early January hoping it would be able to repair the brooch; it did, without charge. Julie Washing-up liquid From £2 at Smol We've had a Smol subscription for a couple of years now and love its environmentally friendly, refillable products. In January we were heavy-handed replacing the top of our washing-up liquid dispenser and broke it, so I emailed the company to find out how I could order a replacement part. It offered a free replacement, which was sent out in the post within days. Kerry Lecomber Liney slingback heel £275 at Russell & Bromley I bought a pair of black open-toe heels from Russell & Bromley in the (very generous) sale years ago, and wore them at work, on nights out, everywhere. One day, one of the heels snapped off at the base. I was so sad to see them go that I went to a branch to see if they had advice on how to repair them. No advice but instead a gasped: 'That shouldn't have happened!' Despite my assurances that they weren't faulty, just very old and well used, R&B sent the shoes back to the factory to have them made good as new for free. Impeccable customer service. Bena McGuigan zero chardonnay £5.05 at Ocado I stupidly brought alcohol-free wine from Ocado, and asked if I could send it back: its customer service team not only refunded me but said they'd like me to donate the drink to a good cause. I gave it to the village fete bottle stall, proceeds to the school. Hooray for a big company doing good! Jacqui For more low- and no-alcohol wines, see our guide Have you had a great experience with a company or retailer? Has it gone the extra mile with its customer service? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Please email thefilter@
South China Morning Post
20-03-2025
- South China Morning Post
Looking for life-changing kitchen tools, I have grate expectations
After a decade of resisting, I finally purchased a Microplane grater – it was on sale because a kitchenware shop was shutting down, and I can never give up a good deal. Advertisement For the uninitiated, the Microplane is a cleverly designed grater beloved by chefs and discerning home cooks the world over; you might have spotted it on screen, in the kitchens of MasterChef as contestants frantically shave parmesan over their dishes in the final seconds of plating, or perhaps you've seen it used tableside at a fine dining restaurant for zesting lemons or grating truffle. Invented in the late 90s by American engineer Richard Grace of Grace Manufacturing, the Microplane wasn't even originally used for the mundane task of grating cheese; the tool was designed to be mounted on a hacksaw frame and used in woodworking. Grace had told the New York Times that he was initially 'disappointed' to see his 'serious woodworking tools' used in the kitchen; but by 2011, the company's culinary tools accounted for 65 per cent of the company's income. Why? Because it's a genius of a tool, made through photo-etching technology to create ultra-sharp edges capable of turning a rough block of Parmigiano-Reggiano into the lightest, fluffiest cloud of finely grated cheese, falling onto your pasta like a blizzard of tasty snowflakes. The Microplane grater was invented in the 1990s by US engineer Richard Grace as a woodworking tool. Photo: Microplane In the words of Marie Kondo, it just sparks joy.
The Guardian
06-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘Hands down my favourite bit of kit': 13 kitchen gadgets top chefs can't live without
We all have that gadget we reach for in the kitchen; the everyday item that changes the way we cook, making chopping, zesting citrus fruit, flipping fish and grinding spices that little bit easier (plus, saving fingertips). A kitchen gamechanger doesn't have to be fancy, though – Feast's Georgina Hayden finds a tomato knife picked up on holiday indispensable. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. So which gadgets and tools will make your kitchen life complete (and perhaps more enjoyable)? We asked some of the UK's top chefs about the things they couldn't live without. Ikea Koncis garlic press £4 at Ikea 'I could never live without my Ikea garlic press. I love garlic but absolutely hate the lingering smell of it on my fingers. Without the press, I wouldn't use garlic as much, which would be very sad, or I'd have very stinky fingers all the time.' Braun MultiQuick 1 hand blender £24.99 at John Lewis£24.99 at Currys 'Stick blenders get my vote – Braun ones are efficient and durable. They're perfect for blending small amounts quickly and are incredibly convenient to clean – just click off and rinse. Plus, you can puree soups right in the pot while they're still hot. And when it comes to homemade mayo, there's nothing more useful: just pop an egg, some rice wine vinegar (or lemon) and salt into a jug, top with neutral oil, and blend until thick and creamy.' Lakeland stainless steel slotted fish slice £4.99 at Lakeland£4.99 at Amazon 'A stainless-steel fish slice, which is a flexible, metal spatula with holes. It's the one thing I always have because you can use it to flip, whisk and strain things. When I was working on the fish section at the Oxo Tower it was my right hand, and I would do everything with it.' HexClad HexMill salt and pepper grinder set £199 at HexCladSalt grinder £129 at AmazonPepper grinder £129 at Amazon 'HexClad's salt and pepper grinders are the best thing I've ever come across; they're proper pricey but they're mega.' Microplane fine grater £29.99 at John Lewis£29.99 at Lakeland 'I always grate garlic and ginger with my Microplane – ginger first so the garlic can help push through any recalcitrant bits of ginger – and use it for lemon and lime zest, parmesan, etc. It's hands down my favourite bit of kit, and mine is just the right level of sharp versus blunt that it won't take off my fingertips. My husband's Microplane is vicious, only to be used if mine is in the dishwasher.' Thermapen £52.80 at ETI£42.80 at Amazon 'A Thermapen digital thermometer: stick it in meat and it will tell you when it's medium-rare. It also tells you the perfect setting point for custard, it stops your scrambled eggs from going rubbery, and you can tell when bread is cooked right the way through. All the core temperatures are available on the internet. If I'm being honest, though, the gadgets I absolutely could never live without are my laptop and phone; you spend so much time checking temperatures and cooking times, it's where I keep my notes, and I use the timer on my phone as well. 'Siri, set a timer,' will change your boiled egg game overnight.' Victorinox serrated edge tomato knife £5.98 at Nisbets£6.90 at Victorinox Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion 'My tomato knife, which a friend gifted to me from Greece. It's a very fine, small, serrated, curved knife; nothing expensive, but it's a gamechanger. Being Greek-Cypriot I eat a lot of tomatoes, and if you cut them with a normal chef's knife, you're going to squish them. It's one of my favourite things in my kitchen.' Magimix Juice Expert 3 in 1 juicer £250 at John Lewis£250 at Fenwick 'A cold pressed juicer. I love it, and not only for putting fresh fruit or anything I've got leftover in it for juice, but for making shots of ginger – which you don't have to peel – for dressings for raw fish.' Stainless steel food mill £27.99 at Lakeland£25 at Dunelm 'It has to be my food mill, which is a sieve with a crank that presses out flavour and retains texture in a way no other tool can.' Sage the Barista Express £629.95 at Currys£630 at Argos 'My Sage bean to cup coffee machine. It adds a significant amount of happiness to my kitchen; there's no good coffee where I live and I really don't like drinking burnt, scalding, poorly made coffee. The ritual of putting it on in the morning always makes me smile – sad, but true.' For more coffee machines, see our expert's review of the best Grey marble pestle and mortar £35 at John Lewis 'I love grinding spices in my mortar and pestle for Thai sauces. I love the movement, I love the look of them, and they're just a really good tool to have. I have a medium-sized one and then a small rough one that someone gave me.' Japanese handheld mandolin slicer £39.99 at Sous Chef£43.99 at Amazon 'I would hate to live without my Japanese mandolin, with all its different sliced attachments. It's such a quick and tidy way of slicing veg and fruit, and just about halves the prep time – just watch those fingers!' Large wooden chopping board £30 at M&S 'I'm not sure you can call it a gadget, but my absolute favourite item in the kitchen is a substantial wooden chopping board. There's something so satisfying about working on a well-made one.'
Buzz Feed
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
This TikToker Gained 11 Million Followers With His Viral Homemade Sandwiches — But As A Culinary Pro, I Can't Get Over His One Glaring Error
Watching influencers misuse kitchen equipment feels, to professional cooks, like hearing an American actor butcher a British accent: painful. That's exactly how I felt when I saw Sebastien Andrade (aka @ayesebastien), a charismatic 23-year-old lifestyle influencer with nearly 11 million TikTok followers, make a chopped Italian sandwich using a serrated knife for everything. A serrated knife, aka a "bread knife" or "toothed knife," is designed for slicing through crusty bread and delicate foods without crushing them. Unlike a chef's knife, it has a particular purpose, but it seems that Sebastien did not get the memo. And I wasn't the only one to notice; fans held nothing back in their critiques of his knifework: Sebastien started strong, using his serrated knife to slice a loaf of homemade ciabatta in half, as he does for many of his drool-worthy homemade sandwiches. No issues there; that's exactly what a serrated blade is meant for. But then, he turned the knife sideways, making eye contact with the camera as he cut the loaf open. That move made me wince. Even the most confident cooks should always keep their eyes on their cuts. Hubris is the underlying cause of many kitchen injuries (including the time I lost the tip of my middle finger in 2023). Then came the part I've seen countless home cooks do: He started chopping with the serrated knife. With one hand on the handle and the other pressing down on the blade, he slammed it into prosciutto, lettuce, sliced tomato, and pepperoncini. Instead of slicing through the ingredients, the knife mostly punctured or smashed them. 👋 Psst — If you're looking for some really good sandwich recipes, take a quick minute to download the free Tasty app, where you can access 7,500+ recipes and save your faves for later. Next, he grabbed a ball of fresh mozzarella and — again, using the serrated knife — sliced it. The uneven edge wiggled through the soft cheese, making clumsy, ragged cuts. But here's the thing: it's not his fault. Most people assume a knife is a knife — it chops, right? The reality is that a serrated knife is a niche tool, like a lemon squeezer or a Microplane. It's not meant for everything. Serrated knives are designed more like saws than standard chef's knives. Their scalloped edges create concentrated points of pressure at each 'tooth,' allowing them to grip and break through tough exteriors, like crusty bread or tomato skin, without crushing the soft interior. They work best when glided back and forth, not slammed straight down. The uneven blade of a serrated knife is actually what makes it perfect for cutting delicate, textured ingredients like cooked chicken breast or a whole pineapple. However, using it the same way you'd use a standard chef's knife, like slicing directly down through vegetables, can leave cooks frustrated, as the knife won't perform effectively. In the video, Sebastien laughs as the sandwich fillings stick to the serrated blade, and instead of slicing cleanly, they end up being squished and torn in all the wrong ways. At the end of the day, Sebastien's video was undeniably entertaining, and it definitely made me crave a chopped Italian sub. But when I make mine, I'll be using my trusty chef's knife.
