Cooking Small - Tools of the Trade

“One can't get over the habit of being a little girl all at once.” 

~ L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea ~

Remember those contests on the back of comic books when we were kids?  Well, maybe you're not as old as I am...but I do.  J I entered one when I was about 8 and guess what?  I won an Easy Bake Oven!  What a prize!  My mother would give me a tablespoon or two of Jiffy Cake Mix and a few drops of egg or water.  A few minutes later and voila!  A little cake!

Now that I'm experimenting and coming up with new ways to use the Health One Meal Replacement I'm always using a tablespoon of this and a teaspoon of that.  And I am learning that having the right tools to cook in small quantities increases my success in the kitchen.  So I thought that I would introduce some items that I use on a regular basis.  For fun, I have placed a ruler next to many of the tools to bring the size into perspective.

Welcome to my kitchen...

Measuring

 In addition to having the traditional measuring cups and spoons, I also have a digital food scale.  The scale is so helpful in determining calories in an item.  If you are going to be creating your own recipes and calculating calories, it is definitely worth the investment.

Mixing

Mixing tools may seem like a no brainer; but, it is so helpful to have a small bowl for making small quantities.  A rubber spatula is a must for getting those last little drops out of a bowl.  I also found a little whisk that works great in a smaller bowl and my tiny saucepan.

My New Additions

Confession time.  These were so cute, I just had to have them.  A tiny sauce pan, frying pan and colander.  However, they are definitely used.  Cooking small quantities in a regular saucepan is challenging and frustrating.  The tiny pans work great!

(they are cute aren't they?)

Ceramic Baking Dishes

I use ceramic baking dishes A LOT!  Especially the oval and larger round one.  These are great for little cakes or casseroles.  Also, my cute little pie plate was given to me by my mother.  She used to bake single serving pies to send in my father's lunch...ah, those were the days!

Baking Pans

In the beginning I used a regular size muffin tin; but, many times the muffins would be too done on top and soggy in the middle.  So I purchased a tin that makes mini muffins.  There's also an added benefit...you get more than one or two muffins a serving.  I know, it's a mental thing...but it does make me feel like I'm getting a little extra.  As for the bread tin - don't fill it too deep or whatever you're cooking will be done on the top and soggy in the middle.

Appliances

These are the two appliances that I use on a regular basis.  I use my Bella Rocket Blender (basically a Magic Bullet - just a lot less expensive) on a daily basis making my breakfast shake.

The Chef's Choice PizzellePro Maker (model 835) is my one big investment.  I  use it to make crispy chips.  This appliance is NOT a must have; but, it is nice to have crispy chips with a uniform potato chip size.  Because it's a bit messy to make the chips, I usually make up seven servings at a time to last a week.

Please know that there is absolutely no need to go out and purchase all of these tools.  Even though I like to cook and try new things, I didn't buy everything at once.  In fact, a lot of the items I already owned.

The one tool I did buy immediately was my Bella Rocket Blender.  As I mentioned, I use my blender everyday.  My recommendation?  If you don't have a single-serving blender, then get one - you will be using it all the time.  As you begin to branch out with how you use Health One Meal Replacements, go shopping in your own kitchen to see what tools you already have.

You don't need all the gadgets I have.  The most important thing is to have fun and become comfortable trying new things as you "play in the kitchen!"