The Cookin' Store, 4224 E. Madison St., has been a familiar landmark in Madison Park and surrounding neighborhoods since 1997. It's not just another pretty face - a well-stocked inventory of the very latest in kitchen utensils is what you'll find here.
Owner John Sheard and manager Jan Yoder are constantly researching products for their quality and functionality, citing materials and construction like any high-tech company would.
But first, one cannot dismiss the visual impact of walking through the door. Colorful is the operative word, and if you're tactile by nature, you'll be handling the display items and noticing how good they feel.
The materials that make up a kitchen product, their flexibility, durability and just the way they feel in your hands can make all the difference - when you spend a lot of time cookin.'
For culinary aficionados who want to build an arsenal of "really neat stuff" to complement or upgrade your current stock of kitchen tools, Jan and John at the Cookin' Store have put together a list that should get you off to a good start!
Microplane grater - Also called a "rasp" grater, because it's fashioned like a wood rasp. Great for hard cheeses, ginger, citrus, garlic and chocolate. In various sizes.
Silicone brush: Another silicone product that's heat-resistant up to 600 degrees. It's much more sanitary, too, than the old pastry brushes: You can put it in the dishwasher, and it gets really clean. There is a long version for grilling, or a shorter version.
Heat-resistant spatula- A colorful, silicone spatula that will not melt or get hard. The spoon-shape one is terrific for stir fry, omelets and most anything else.
Good-quality cutting board and Santoku-shape knife - Maple is great, but bamboo is now widely accepted for its durability and beauty. Bamboo is 16 percent harder than maple and doesn't show the cut marks. Also, you can turn the cutting board over and use the other side as a cheese tray. The Santoku-shape knife is high-carbon steel that replaces the classic chef's knife. It's shaped to allow for more efficient cutting, and a hollow ground edge is available.
ALSO NEEDED
Instant-read thermometer - It's digital, and the probe is in the meat, but the monitor sits on top of the stove. An alarm sounds at exact temperature. Use for candy, as well as meats. Also great for the barbecue grill.
Good cookware - All-Clad cookware's three-ply construction allows for heat to distribute quickly. It's coveted by both professional and home chefs for its strength and beauty.
Silpat - This is a silicone liner for a flat pan or cookie sheet. Absolutely nothing sticks to it, and it's easy to clean.
