Thomasina’s essential kitchen kit

Thomasina's Essential Kitchen Kit

Pestle and mortar

Ideally, you want a pestle and mortar that is really heavy. It's a good idea to purchase a mortar and pestle from an ethnic food store. They can be kept on the work surface at all times and are easy to wipe clean.

Salad spinner

Salad spinners are a convenient way to dry salad leaves. Of course, you can use tea towels, but a salad spinner is useful if you have the space.

Microplane

A Microplane is an essential tool. I use it in puddings, soups, marinades and salad dressings.

Tongs

Tongs are extensions of your hands. Tongs are essentially like having an extra pair of hands. I usually have three or four different sizes.

Pastry brush

I use my pastry brush all the time. The brush is useful for brushing off the flour from a pastry or lightly oiling something before it goes on the grill.

Nutri-bullet

It is easy to make salsa, chilli oils, and herb oils with Nutri-bullets.

Cast-iron grill

It's a good idea to invest in a heavy cast-iron grill.