Easily juggle Thanksgiving prep with these handy gadgets
These hands-free gadgets can be a huge help in the kitchen when you’re preparing a multi-dish meal.
Problem Solved
Coordinating and cooking a multi-dish meal should be an Olympic sport. Whether it’s for the holidays, the Super Bowl or just a gathering with friends, it can involve a lot of stirring, baking, seasoning, resting, pouring and more… One thing’s for sure: There’s so much to do but you only have two hands!
Not to mention, the timing is critical. You don’t want to risk one dish getting cold while something else is still cooking, or worse, burning! Fortunately, some handy kitchen gadgets can help you tackle the feast in a timely manner.
Watch this video for some handy gadgets to help you juggle any meal.
Unusual kitchen gadgets
Sometimes the biggest inconvenience in the kitchen is only having two hands, so that’s where an automatic pot stirrer comes in handy! These rechargeable gadgets can continuously stir dips, sauces, soups and more, freeing up your hands to do something else. Depending on the model you get, they can run for up to 10 minutes at a time and come with a few different stirring speeds.
Clean-up can also be a breeze, as many stirrers can be put in the dishwasher. Just be sure to confirm yours is dishwasher safe.
There’s a lot of coordinating when it comes to cooking times for food. In reality, something usually has to sit and wait, risking a cool down, while other things finish cooking. To help slow down the dreaded cool down, use a warming mat. It’s like an electric blanket for your food. Simply turn on the mat, set the temperature, set a timer and child lock (both of those optional), place your food on it and let it do the rest. The mat can get quite warm, so make sure any dishes or containers you’re placing on it can withstand heat.
If your gathering includes a bottle of wine or a non-alcoholic alternative, an electric corkscrew can pull the cork from a bottle at the push of a button. If you really want to wow your guests, add a wine bottle tap dispenser that can aerate and pour a glass with just a couple of taps.
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How to cook multiple things in the oven
Cooking multiple things in the oven can be tricky, however it’s not impossible. Scaling down the size of each dish is a simple way to make a big impact.
The best way to tackle preparing a large meal is with a plan. Start by making a list of what needs to be cooked, how long it needs to cook and at what temperature. One of the simplest things you can do to figure out the timing is to count backward. Starting with the time you need everything ready, count backward, subtracting the cooking and prep times for your dishes until you reach the time you should start.
Once everything is ready and in place, it’s time to start the choreographed cooking dance. If you’re cooking multiple things in the oven at the same time, consider staggering the dishes on the racks and putting larger dishes closer to the bottom of the oven. If things need to be cooked at different temperatures, either set a moderate temperature of 350-375ºF or average the temperatures of the dishes. Don’t forget to also adjust your cooking times accordingly, and be sure to check your dishes as they cook to avoid overcooking.
