bowls

COOKING FROM SCRATCH

with

Margaret Ida

Step-by-Step to Self Confidence in the Kitchen

using Back to Basics principles.

SOMETHING TO MIX IN

Step 1 - Where am I?

A. I am comfortable in the kitchen and am happy with the variety of mixing bowls I own now.

B. I have been cooking for a while but am ready to think about expanding the choices I have in my kitchen for mixing things in.

C. I am just beginning my adventures in the kitchen.

Step 2 - Where do I want to go?

A. Maybe you just want to skip this section and go check out another topic.

B. I want to know more about the different materials commonly used for mixing bowls - maybe something about sizes and/or shapes would be good.

C. A little basic information would be just great!

Step 3 - Things to know:

A. Materials:

Wooden – one of the first things used historically

Wood is a strong, warm, natural material
Wood absorbs oils and odors
Wood may develop stains and cracks or split with age.

Pottery – one of the first improvements used historically

Glazed Pottery is easier to keep clean of oils and odors
It is more likely to break or chip with rough treatment
Cracks in the glaze allow absorption of liquids, oils, odors and stains.

Glass – tempered glass is commonly used today

Glass cleans easily
Glass does not absorb anything.
Glass does not stain.
Even tempered glass will break with rough treatment.

Metal – Stainless Steel, Copper, Aluminum

A lot like glass (see above)
Metals bowls are also almost unbreakable.

Copper and Aluminum dent more easily than Stainless
Aluminum is generally cheap, but scratches and dents easily.
Copper is especially recommended for whipping eggs

Plastic – (Tupperware, Melamine, and other brands)

Lighter weight than glass and stainless.
Almost unbreakable but may stain or crack with age.
Oils tend to cling even after cleaning – not good for whipping eggs.

Enamel – coating over stainless usually

Keeps acid foods from leaching any metal into them.
May be quite decorative.
Chips in the enamel from rough treatment nullify both the above.

Sizes:

Mini- If your bowl holds less than 1 cup, I would call it a mini-mixing bowl.
Small – If your bowl holds 1-2 cups, I would classify it as small.
Medium – If your bowl holds 1-2 quarts, I would call it medium sized.
Large – If your bowl holds about a gallon, it is definitely large.
Super – Some household mixing bowls hold over a gallon and a half.

Shapes: Basic mixing bowls are all round, but they may be:

Small bottomed with tapered sides.

This bowl is good for mixing small amounts in the bottom of it.
You can also get quite a bit more in before you need to go to the next size.

Wide bottomed with straight sides.

It may be difficult to mix very small amounts in this bowl.
For the amount of cupboard space it takes, you mix pretty big batches in this one.

Narrow and deep.

I like these for things I whip up into higher volume – like egg whites, whipped cream, or whipped potatoes.

Wide and flat.

I like one of these for my French toast batter

Spouted

Lots of people like a mixing bowl with a pouring spout to make it easy to transfer their batter into the cooking pan.

B. Even if you are only cooking for one or two people, you will want to have a variety of mixing bowl sizes. You will usually have fewer spills if you work with a bigger bowl. And – who knows – you might want to mix up enough to share one of these days!

The housewares section of your favorite bargain store will have a selection of basic mixing bowl sets. If you start with something inexpensive, you can always try out other materials and styles later.

Step 4 - Put your knowledge into action

Make a purchase of mixing bowls to try out in your kitchen.

For the beginner, I would suggest you start with an inexpensive set of at least three different sizes – small, medium, and large – in whatever material and shape appeals to you. If you choose plastic for your basic set, also choose at least one glass or metal bowl. [The oiliness that seems to be part of working in plastic makes it really difficult to get egg whites to whip up nicely.]

Congratulations! You have taken a step towards increased self-reliance in the kitchen! Take another step with more equipment, or choose another topic from the contents page.