When this blog first started up, I did a post all about the kitchen gadgets for the holidays. While I definitely use all of them, there are other gadgets I use nearly every day. And perhaps more important than kitchen gadgets, however, are the food items we use all the time. They’re what help you get the food the way you want it, make the food taste good, and make it nutritious….
How To: Make a Double Boiler
So I’ve used double boilers several times on this blog (like the chocolate ganache blog).Though a double boiler is a specialty item that can be super expensive, there are times when you really do need one to get a certain dish to turn out well. Thankfully, you don’t need to buy something will take up space—all you need you probably have in your kitchen already!
On another note, I’ve had to retype the word “boiler” every time it’s appeared so far because I keep spelling it “boilder”.
Anyway…
When to Use a Double Boiler
First, what is a double boiler? A double boiler is, basically, a pot on top of another pot. So what’s the point? A double boiler allows you to cook food gently over indirect heat. It works like this:
- Place about an inch of water in the bottom pot and turn the heat on medium-low/low so the water begins to simmer
- Place the second pot on top of the first pot, making sure it doesn’t touch the water
- Cook the food in the top pot
The heat source doesn’t touch the bottom of the top pot, which is called indirect heating. It’s the simmering water and steam in the bottom pot that creates just enough heat to gently cook the food in the top pot.
So, going back, what’s the point? Certain foods need to be gently heated, otherwise it may burn, curdle, or cook too quickly. This is true for melting chocolate for tempering and delicate egg-based dishes like sabayon. There are even some people who use a double boiler to make fluffy, creamy scrambled eggs.
Making a Double Boiler at Home
Making a double boiler at home is pretty simple. You’ll need a pot for the bottom, something with higher sides like this:
And either another bowl or another pot that is similar to the shape of the bottom pot, like this:
To be fair, the top won’t be as steady as an already-made boiler you will buy at the store. However, I usually don’t have a problem with it. If the top pot/bowl does move a bit, just have to be careful about holding the top bowl with a heat-safe something (like an oven mitt). Also, watch out for steam that may come out of the sides.
Tips for Using a Double Boiler
A few tips for using a home-made double boiler, learned from experience:
- Make sure the top and bottom pots are as close to the same size as possible so the top pot fits snugly without falling too close to the water
- Use only about an inch to two inches of water and, if you’ve been cooking for a while, check to make sure the water hasn’t evaporated completely
- As I said above, watch out for movement and steam when you’re using a bowl. When you stir, the bowl will move, so I usually use an oven mitt to protect my hand from the hot bowl and my wrist from steam.
- Make sure your water is simmering, not boiling. You want low heat to ensure the water stays as a simmer and doesn’t get too hot. Start at low to medium-low heat.
So, next time you see a recipe that calls for a double boiler, don’t skip it! Just make your own at home!
Some delicious recipes are coming your way soon, too—I’m excited for summer and all the fresh produce!
‘Till next time!
4 Essential Kitchen Tools for the Holidays
The holidays are known for big feasts, from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Christmas, New Years, and even holiday dinner parties. These five kitchen tools are the tools I find most essential when I’m cooking a big dinner for a lot of people!
From tools that time to tools that ensure the food doesn’t stick to tools that monitor temperature and even just a good set of tongs, these guys help me stay organized and on top of all everything! That way, I can spend less time frustrated in the kitchen and more time mingling with friends and family! (You can also check out last year’s post about my favorite tools in the kitchen.)
My 5 Essentials
I do use these tools year-round, but they definitely make the holidays easier! Also, you many notice that not everything I talk about is pictured. Some things don’t seem to have made our move and I haven’t found them yet…
- Kitchen Thermometers
Kitchen thermometers I have include:
- Oven thermometer
- Candy thermometer
- Probe cooking thermometer
The oven thermometer and the probe cooking thermometer are essentials in my book. So many holiday treats are finicky when it comes to the temperature of your oven, and an oven thermometer can help you keep the temperature regulated. A probe thermometer is fantastic too—you can stick it into a turkey or ham, close the oven door, and monitor the internal temperature. Some will even beep when they reache the correct temperature so you don’t overcook anything. It saves me so much time when I don’t have to stop what I’m doing and open the oven to check the temperature every ten minutes.
I also use candy thermometers quite often for making candy, boiling milk, etc.—all things that seem to happen more often during the holidays when you’re baking holiday sweets. You can also use it as a frying thermometer to check the oil temperature.
- Kitchen Tongs
There’s nothing like having a good set of tongs in the kitchen, and I like having at least two. That way, you can be using tongs for everything you need and don’t to stop to wash it, then wash it again.
I have two pairs of tongs right now and that usually serves me just fine. One is a regular pair of tongs, the other a pair of tongs with rubber on the outside so it won’t scratch delicate cooking surfaces.
- Kitchen Timer
Yes, ovens and microwaves have timers, but you may be timing multiple things at once. Or, like my mom’s, your oven may inexplicably turn off when the timer goes off. You may need to use the microwave. I also don’t feel extremely comfortable keeping my phone in the kitchen, especially when I’m cooking multiple dishes. Thus, a kitchen timer is my solution.
I have two: one looks like the dial of a locker lock (it even make that wonderful clicking sound!) and the other is a cute replica of a macaron!
- Silpat
I mentioned it in my previous blog, but I absolutely adore Silpat. You just lay it onto the sheetpan and have an instant non-stick surface on which to bake.
Don’t get me wrong—I love parchment paper and use it quite often. But having to pause to measure, cut, spray, flour, and then deal with paper that will not. stay. down(!) can cause more frustration than I need at the moment. Thus, Silpat! (You do have to clean it afterwards, but in my book, worth it! Especially because my husband usually does the dishes…)
So what are your favorite kitchen tools, especially during the holiday rush? Let me know in the comments below!
‘Till next time!
A Few of My Favorite Things (In the Kitchen)
Aside from the fact that I’ve never been able to figure out why the classic from The Sound of Music is a Christmas favorite, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite things in my kitchen for this holiday season.
I plan on starting a series of blogs that cover kitchen essentials; consider this the first post. Some of the tools listed here are expensive, but if you feel like investing in something that would help you in the kitchen I highly recommend them. (And a disclaimer: I’m not being sponsored by any companies I mention. I just really, really like their products.)
On to My Favorite Things!
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