Blenders are used to grind food into liquids.
BLENDER CUP: A small jar that fits upside-down on the blender base, allowing you to blend smaller quantities at a time. Blender cups also allow
for more torque per square inch, thereby resulting in creamier, smoother blends. Most blender bases (the blade and bottom) have a standard type
of threading that will actually attach to any small-mouthed jar, such as an old nut butter or honey jar. (Some hardware stores even carry the right-
sized jars new.) The jars can be filled up to three-quarters full and, once blending is complete, the original lid can be screwed back on for storage.
DUAL SPEED: A blender with high and low settings.
MULTISPEED: A blender that has a variety of speeds.
OSTERIZER: A common household blender that often has optional small blending jars that attach for small portions.
VITAMIX: A super-powered blender that can blend dry or wet ingredients and grind almost anything into a liquid. The carafe holds eight cups (most
blenders hold five cups).
Sprouting Equipment
Sprouting can be accomplished in a number of ways. Having the tools that work with your lifestyle and kitchen makes it much easier to keep a
continual sprout garden in your home.
BIOSTA: An easy-to-use multitiered sprouting system.
JARS: Half-gallon glass Ball or Mason jars are best.
LIDS: Look for plastic sprouting lids that screw on. They are sold online or at health food stores.
MISTAPONIC: An automatic sprouting system.
SCREEN: Use a nylon screen, which is cheap and easy to find. A piece of screen can be affixed to the top of the jar, allowing for drainage and
airflow while hindering the invasion of outside during the sprouting process.
SOIL: Garden stores sell organic soil, or use soil from your yard.
TRAYS: Plastic trays are available at gardening stores.
Garnishing Tools
Garnishes add an element of beauty to any meal. Many master chefs from Asia can produce a huge array of garnishes using any type of food.
CARVING TOOLS: Small knives and curved blades used to cut fruits and veggies into shapes.
PASTRY BAG: Used to decorate cakes or write using icing.
SPIRALIZER: A tool for making long, thin, curly strips of vegetables—as thin as angel hair pasta.
ZESTER: A tool for making thin strips of citrus rind.
Food Processors
These tools are used to grind food into a powder or paste or just to mix.
CUISINART: This solid standard comes in a variety of sizes. This machine is a true workhorse.
GENERIC: Good for light grinding but breaks easily.
KRUPPS: Makes an excellent mini-processor.
Culturing
You can use the following tools to create an ideal environment for living bacteria.
HARSCH CROCK: An earthen jar with a water seal used for making sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchee.
SEED CHEEZE BAG: For separating curds and whey. A seed cheeze bag is an organic unbleached cloth bag or a silk screen bag that helps in
the draining process. Alternatively, commercially sold nut milk bags, cheesecloth bags, or even paint-straining bags are commonly used to help
extract the water (whey) from the culturing seed cheeze. Some people even use old T-shirts or straight cheesecloth or silk screen to press the liquid
out of the cheeze.
TOFU PRESS: Used to press water out of soy tofu. It is available in Japanese cooking stores or some specialty culinary tool shops. It consists of a
square box with a removable top and bottom and holes in the sides for drainage. The top slips into the box, allowing weight to be put upon the tofu,