This Rachael Ray Shortcut Will Change How You Cook
Despite not being a trained chef, Rachael Ray has been teaching us cooking tricks, hacks, and shortcuts since she first came into our kitchens years ago through such shows as 30 Minute Meals and $40 a Day. It should come as no surprise that Ray's influence has inspired her fans and followers to look at how they cook in new and innovative ways that are easy and accessible for all. Not too long ago, a writer from The Kitchn revealed what she believes it the most important shortcut Ray has taught us.
While many chefs and cooks are all too eager to share with us their preferred knives for slicing and dicing or pots and pans they use when cooking up their favorite recipes, Ray told Food Network, "I'm not a big gadget person." She also shared that her large cutting board is at the top of her list and she uses it to cover her sink for a little extra counter space. But the most important idea that Ray has shared with us is that your hands are the best and most inexpensive tool you own. That's right – there are cooking tasks that your hands can do better than any kitchen tool. What kind of tasks?
Hands can be faster, more effective, and reduce kitchen gadget cleanup
According to The Kitchn, you are better off using your hands in several situations. Hands are great for coring bell peppers, separating eggs, dredging meats and vegetables through breadcrumbs, and making dough for scones. Not to mention your hands can come in handy when you are doing the touch taste to determine if your meat is cooked appropriately. Your hands will not only help you do a better job with all of these tasks, but it will also help you do it more efficiently and quickly – partly because you won't have to spend as much time cleaning cooking equipment.
Some people may shy away from using their hands more readily because they are afraid to get dirty, but Ray has shown us that getting dirty is part of the process. Ray is not alone in how she values the importance of using your hands when you cook. Daniel Patterson of San Francisco's COI told the Daily Herald, "Your hands are your most important tools. You don't understand ingredients unless you touch them." So the next time you are in the kitchen and you think you need to get into your drawer with all of your gadgets, try using your hands.