There are a multitude of items that you might associate with seafood — a crab cracker tool, a seafood fork, a fillet knife. But the best kitchen tools for cooking seafood are actually some of the most basic, essential pieces you have in your kitchen.
These three seafood cooking tools are the most useful tools for cooking fish and shellfish, throughout the week, for easy and excellent meals.
Instant-Read Thermometer
For those who are just beginning their fish-cooking journey to health and wellness, an instant-read thermometer will make cooking less stressful and more fun. One of the biggest (if not THE biggest) stresses when cooking wild-caught fish is making sure it is cooked evenly and not overdone, which produces a rubbery and dry fillet. An instant-read thermometer is the only accurate way to ensure that your food is cooked to perfection and ready to serve. One stylish and easy-to-use thermometer is this one from ThermoPop.
Even if you do have experience cooking seafood, you may be used to cooking farmed fish vs wild fish. Wild fish, unlike the often more widely available farmed fish, cooks differently. Wild fish can cook faster and so is easier to overcook, making a thermometer even more useful.
Fish Spatula
While our tried and true spatula sitting in our kitchen is reliable, it can be helpful to purchase a fish spatula in addition. Having a tool specific to cooking fish will keep cross-contamination at a minimum, and the elongated and thin metal spatula is specifically designed to slide under delicate fillets, having just the right balance of flexibility and sturdiness. You’ll also notice that a fish spatula, such as this sleek and multi-sized one from Sur La Table, has large slats in its center, which helps to allow liquids to drain beneath the fish (which can then be used for other parts of your recipe).
Cast Iron or Stainless Steel Pan
The third and final tool to take your seafood-cooking to the next level, is a cast iron or stainless steel pan. While you might think that non-stick pans are the best pans for cooking fish, cast iron and stainless steel can give you a much more even and nicer sear on the fish or even Weathervane Scallops.
From beginner cooks to culinary experts, a cast iron or stainless steel pan is also a useful tool to have in the kitchen beyond seafood! Cast iron pans are naturally non-stick when properly seasoned, plus they are chemical free, which means that your clean meals of wild seafood won’t be contaminated during the process. Not to mention, they also naturally add iron to your food, giving an added nutritional bonus to your already healthy spread.
These three tools: an instant read meat thermometer, a fish spatula, and a cast iron or stainless steel pan, are useful elements that will make your breakfast omelettes, healthy lunches, and quick dinners come out perfectly each and every time.
P.S., they make great gifts for the holidays. Get cooking!
