Turkey Day Tools: The Essentials

Depending on what you intend to serve your guests, the list essential tools required may be a little longer than what is listed here. If you're cooking the basics this Thanksgiving you will need what is listed below (unless you are some sort of magical person, and if you are...you must share your secrets!).

Essential tools for Turkey Day:

Turkey Baster:

The purpose of a turkey baster  is simple enough- to baste the turkey as it roasts. Basting does not produce moisture or otherwise improve the flavor of the interior turkey but it is necessary to create golden brown, crispy skin.

Gravy Separtator

One of the messiest and most daunting kitchen tasks is separating juice from fat from baked or roasted meat. This tool with its low attached spout does the trick for you, simply pour all drippings from the turkey into the fat separator and let sit, the fat will rise to the top and simply pour!

Roasting Pan (with rack)

You simply cannot roast a turkey well without a roasting pan, preferably one that has a roasting rack, which is designed to elevate food above the pan to facilitate drainage, ensuring you get all the tasty drippings you need for the gravy makin’ later.

Digital or Instant Read Thermometer

Some swear by the pop-up thermometer, but the fault to the pop-up is that it usually springs to attention once the breasts are done but the legs and thighs are not. Do yourself a favor and pick up a digital or instant read thermometer. These reliable tools are great for ensuring that all parts of the turkey (and stuffing) are at the appropriate serving temperature.

Silicone Hot Mitts

If you made the switch from standard cloth oven mitts to silicone you already know how great they are. Some of the benefits include that they are waterproof, stainproof , dishwasher safe, have a higher heat threshold, and are ambidextrous.

Mesh Strainer or Chinois

Chinois Bouillon Strainer features a superfine mesh, allowing stocks, broths, gravies and sauces to be cleared of sediment, spices, seeds and lumps. The result is a smooth and creamy finished texture. With a hook on the opposite side as the handle, the strainer can be supported over a stockpot for easy transfer of liquids.

Cheesecloth

Cheesecloth is a specially designed fabric made from undyed cotton which was originally used in cheese production, hence the name. It has a large number of uses, but culinarily it is used as a straining cloth.

Silpat

Slipat is the brand name of a silicone kitchen tool primarily used to provide a non-stick surface in baking. Silpats fit into most sheet pans, and can range in size from as small as a toaster oven to as large as a commercial restaurant oven.

Twine Dispenser

I don’t know about you, but every year I have to buy new kitchen twine. It always moves to the back of a random drawer to never be found again. Lo and behold the twine dispenser. These attractive stainless steel dispensers will save you from the search and will keep the twine from tangles!