Chopsticks Are an Underrated Kitchen Tool [updated]
Unless you are some over-organized type of condo, chances are you have a “trash bin” in your kitchen and, among the ketchup and duck sauce bags, there are a few pairs of chopsticks. It’s time to fish them out, friends, because chopsticks are an infinitely useful kitchen tool that can be used at almost every stage of food preparation.
Basically, chopsticks are smaller and more precise forceps, but they are not limited to grabbing food pieces. (As such, I always stock up on extra accessories that come with takeout.) Some of my favorite uses for chopsticks include:
- Scrambled Eggs : I’m a big fan of chouxed eggs with very small curds, and simple wooden chopsticks can help you achieve this without scratching your nonstick skillet .
- Cooking Rice: With just a chopstick, you can determine the exact amount of water to add to your rice pot so that it comes out perfect every time. ( AA Newton can walk you through the process here .)
- Frying: When deep-fried, small pieces of food falling to the bottom of the pan are somewhat unavoidable, but they can be saved from their charred fate with a humble chopstick. (If you feel intimidated when your hands are near the butter, consider taking a very long pair .)
- Plating: Having a pair of plating tweezers is a bit tricky, but artfully plating a plate can really enhance the flavor of food, and chopsticks allow you to place your culinary masterpieces just that way .
- Check: Fishing one noodles or potato slice to test doneness is easier to reach with a pair of nimble chopsticks than with a pair of large tongs.
- Maintaining cleanliness: My fingers are short, plump and prone to sticky contact with food. As such, chopsticks are my preferred method of catching tiny pickles and olives from cans, tossing salads, and even eating cheese snacks .
Aside from all of these several specialized uses, they are also great food fins. They also make good kebabs, and who doesn’t like to eat sticks? What are some of your favorite ways to use chopsticks in the kitchen?
Note: In this story, chopsticks are seen as something that is not used in everyday life in the kitchen. We have heard from readers who have pointed out that this framing depicts the experiences of large numbers of people as being outside the norm. We hear and value their feedback. We are sorry for any pain this post has caused and are committed to doing better in the future.