Kitchen Vocabulary

So here they are.

Ladle

 Click to listen.

This kitchen item always makes me want to eat soup.

Masher

 Click to listen.

This is sometimes called a potato masher, but I think most people would just call it a masher.

I mean, what if you want to mash something other than a potato?

Stranger things have happened.

Wooden spoon

 Click to listen.

It’s a spoon. Made of wood.

Spatula

 Click to listen.

other names: egg slide

We all know what this is, right?

Good. Let’s move on.

Tongs

 Click to listen.

Making hot dumplings?

Or barbecued zucchini?

Or do you need to rescue your phone from the toilet?

You might need these.

Peeler

 Click to listen.

Often known as a potato peeler, this guy takes the skin off potatoes, carrots, beetroots, kiwi fruits … the list is endless.

Is it just me, or does peeling a potato kind of feel like you’re shaving it?

Potato barber?

Measuring spoons

 Click to listen.

Small spoons with precise measurements written on them so you can do super-detailed cooking!

Measuring cups

 Click to listen.

Larger cups with precise measurements on them so you can do detailed cooking — with larger portions!

Tea strainer

 Click to listen.

It may not surprise you to learn that I’m a massive fan of tea.

But not tea in tea bags (most of the time).

Loose leaf tea!

But in order to avoid getting a mouthful of wet, slimy tea leaves, I use this!

Colander

 Click to listen.

Have you ever tried to live without a colander?

I didn’t have one for a few months, and I was surprised how many dishes need a colander.

Especially if most of your food consists of pasta. (I was a student at the time.)