Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Can’t live without these spoon spatulas

- BECKY KRYSTAL The Washington Post

I have what most people would generously call a small kitchen. At least in theory, then, everything must earn its place. And if I own more than one of a single item? You’d better believe it’s essential.

A few things fall into that category. Over the years, my husband and I have collected multiple sets of measuring spoons and cups (dry and wet, of course), several chef’s knives and, um, two waffle irons (hey, square and round).

But the real kitchen workhorse we cannot imagine living without in duplicate? Our spoon spatulas.

I don’t even remember how or when the first one came into our lives (an impulse buy, perhaps?), although now I wish I’d marked the time and date on a calendar, like some kind of momentous birth. The apple of our eye comes from the peculiarly capitalize­d culinary brand iSi (isi-store.com), and we now have three of them crammed into the utensil holder on our counter.

What makes this $13 tool so invaluable? The silicone material means it’s heat-resistant and dishwasher safe. It never picks up colours — looking at you, tomato sauce — or scents. A squared-off edge lets me scrape every last bit of caramel out of the corner of a saucepan, and I can do so with abandon, knowing it won’t leave a scratch.

Sometimes even three seems insufficie­nt. (After many years, that first one is starting to look rough around the edges, but I can’t bear to toss it.) Start the morning with pancakes, make some brownies for the evening’s dessert, cook a pot of rice and a curry and, well, that’s more dishes than spoon spatulas. No sweat. Even in the sink, the iSi tool cleans like a dream.

I have evangelize­d about the spoon spatula to my family and friends. I recently gave one to my mother-in-law. I figured it would be a vast improvemen­t over the plastic utensils she typically cooks with. Just as important, though, I want it over there for when I’m cooking for the family.

Orders can be made via Amazon.ca or isi-store.com (shipping available within the U.S. and Canada).

 ?? GORAN KOSANOVIC FOR THE WASHINGTON POST ?? iSi’s spoon spatulas.
GORAN KOSANOVIC FOR THE WASHINGTON POST iSi’s spoon spatulas.

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