Kitchen Gear, What’s the Best and Healthiest?
As The Organic Gourmet Chef, Author and Cooking Teacher, I am often asked to recommend my favorite kitchen gear and cookware: knives, pots, pans, and brands.
After reading a recent article in the New York Times on the dangers of using black plastic spatulas and other household items containing toxic flame retardants, I decided to revisit the interview I did with Zoe Helene in the Huffington Post in 2012.
In Zoe Helene’s article, “Great Gifts for the Healthy Gourmet on Your List”, I recommend my favorite and healthiest kitchen gear and cookware.
Here is an excerpt of Zoe Helene’s article, “Great Gifts for the Healthy Gourmet on Your List” article, that I just updated.
“Leslie’s Favorite Kitchen Gear
STAINLESS STEEL: Stainless steel cookware is light and versatile. The most important consideration is to use heavy-gauge pots, or at least pots with a heavy bottom. Because they conduct heat more slowly, you’re less likely to burn foods while cooking. They’re more expensive, but they’ll last a lifetime. Stainless steel is also Leslie’s first choice for ladles, tongs, pancake turners, measuring spoons and whisks. Choose wood and stainless steel for spatulas, stirring and serving spoons. Avoid the silicone or plastic-coated kitchen tools; they are not as strong and are made from chemicals. All-Clad and Calphalon are great choices.
CAST-IRON: Cast-iron is the original nonstick cookware. Griddles, pots and pans, and Dutch ovens cook food slowly and evenly. They also release small amounts of iron into the food, making it more nutritional. Some cast-iron cookware is enameled inside. These can be quite expensive, but again, they’ll last a lifetime. The enamel has the benefit of providing more of a nonstick surface without toxic chemicals. Lodge and Le Creuset are excellent choices.
CERAMIC COOKWARE: Ceramic cookware is attractive for cooking and serving. It conducts heat slowly, evenly and keeps foods warm for hours. However, some ceramic cookware produced in foreign countries may contain lead and other toxic chemicals. To be sure ceramic cookware is safe, make sure it’s made with lead free glazes. It is fun to buy directly from potters at craft fairs and their local shops.
GLASS COOKWARE: Glass cookware retains heat for a long time and offers the advantage of allowing the cook to watch foods cook and bake inside. Leslie prefers glass measuring cups, too.
WOODEN CUTTING BOARDS: Especially for Vegetarian and Vegan cooking, Wooden cutting boards are preferable. Keep them in good condition with a plant based, VOC free oil.
GLASS JARS: Glass jars are great for storing grains and beans on open kitchen shelves. Leslie uses glass and bamboo to store salt crystals. She stores leftovers in glass jars in the refrigerator, too. Plus, glass is earth-friendly. Leslie likes to collect Ball and Mason jars but you can also buy storage jars made from recycled glass like these pretty Nkuku Shamala Jars.
CERAMIC CUTTING TOOLS: Ceramic knives, peelers, graters, and mandolins are light weight, and always sharp, and they’re easy to clean because they don’t absorb food elements. Kyocera makes a wide range of excellent ceramic cutting tools.”
When folks come to my group and private hands on farm to table cooking classes, they use Kyocera ceramic knives and immediately notice how much lighter and sharper they are compared to the ones they use at home. Plus, these ceramic knives are more balanced and ergonomic than other brands of ceramic knives, Never need sharpening! Often clients buy one or more from me to use at home.
And when I give private lessons on zoom, I also offer kitchen coaching to help you restock your kitchen with the healthiest and best kitchen gear.
With season of gift giving upon us, you might check out the whole article: Great Gifts for the Healthy Gourmet on Your List
I hope this information helps you select cookware and kitchen gear that brings you, your family and friends joy and great health.
And you might also check out another one of my blogs, that I discuss the benefits of using cast-iron cookware.
Photos by Tracey Eller
“… GETTING HEALTHY, LESLIE CERIER IS YOUR GUIDE,”
DR MARK HYMAN
Email Leslie: leslie@lesliecerier.com
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