Eatdrink #44 November/December 2013

№ 44 | November/December 2013
just right, and the medieval invention of
the hourglass as an egg timer to achieve a
perfectly soft-boiled “three-minute” egg.
Wilson reports that an increased interest
in kitchen gadgets occurred shortly after
the first Cuisinart processor appeared on
the market in 1973. This mixing machine
was so successful in revolutionizing how
home cooks viewed work in the kitchen,
by replacing time-consuming knife work
with the press of a button, they sought out
as many gadgets as possible to continue
making their cooking efficient and fun. The
right tool for the right job is usually the order
of the day for gadget lovers and that is why
kitchens have esoteric utensils that seem
to have only one purpose. Many utilitarian
tools are multi-functional, like pots and
blenders, but we also have oyster shuckers,
escargot dishes, and lemon zesters which
all take some creativity to use for something
other than their intended purpose.
There is also the question of functional
versus decorative kitchen tools. The
first known pots have no archaeological
evidence of being used as vessels for cooking
over fire, but were rather used for religious
rituals or decorative purposes. Most modern
kitchen enthusiasts are in the market for
gadgets that are highly functional but also
sleek, funky-looking, and colourful. Le
Creuset cookware is known as much for its
trendy colours as for its high quality.
The inundation of gadgets gave us many
insights into the kitchen experience from the
luxurious (bean-to-mug coffee with a handheld
bean grinder and espresso machine
instead of instant crystals and boiling water),
to the redundant (melon baller — why not
just scoop with a spoon?). Even though it’s
highly unlikely that such a kitchen enthusiast
will ever have all the handy tools they need
for their dream kitchen, this book is for all
those people who love their mandolin slicers,
meat thermometers, rolling pins, muffin
tins, and pizza stones, and have an interest in
learning how these tools have influenced the
food we eat and cook.
Darin Cook is a regular contributor to eatdrink who works
and plays in Chatham-Kent, and keeps himself well-read and
well-fed by visiting the bookstores and restaurants of London.
Featuring specialty foods, kitchenwares,
tablewares, cooking classes & gift baskets.
115 King Street, London
519-645-1335 www.jillstable.ca
HOLIDAY BAKING IS HERE.
BE READY. VERY READY.
more ways to make baking better:
KISSTHECOOKONLINE.COM