from a pot of boiling water with a pair of chopsticks. Wire-
mesh spiders with bamboo handles are available at most
Chinese grocers and restaurant supply stores for a few bucks
a pop, but if you want something that’ll last a long time, go
with an all-metal spider like the Typhoon Professional
Cook’s Wire Skimmer, available for about $10 online.
- Small Offset Spatula
Though these diminutive 4½-inch-long spatulas are intended
for applying frosting to small pastries like cupcakes, you’ll
find that they have a slew of other uses in both the sweet
and savory kitchen. Ever find yourself trying to unstick a
fragile piece of food from a skillet with a spatula three times
too big? The thin, flexible blade of a small offset spatula can
slip under food items that even a fish spatula is too thick for.
Pan full of slender breakfast sausages to flip one at a time?
This is your tool. It’s also indispensable for plating and
presentation. A lightweight feel, comfortable handle, and
ultrathin blade make the Ateco Small Offset Spatula (about
$2) the industry standard, offering precision, control, and
finesse. More control means less mess and better-tasting
food. Oh, and it’s good for cupcakes as well, if that’s your
bag. - Fine-Mesh Strainer
A full-size colander is great if you’ve got a full pot of pasta
to drain, but it rarely gets used otherwise (and even then, I
just use the basket of my salad spinner). For smaller
everyday tasks like draining a can of tomatoes or beans, or
ensuring that your crepe batter is perfectly smooth, a small