Asian cooking is more popular than ever, and creating delicious, authentic—or fusion-inspired—Asian meals at home is easier when you have the right kitchen tools. From stir-fries to soups, dumplings to noodle bowls, a few well-chosen Asian cooking tools can elevate everyday meals without adding complexity.
But don’t save these tools just for “Asian night.” Many traditional Asian kitchen tools are surprisingly versatile and can be used in everyday cooking—from weeknight dinners to family meals made from scratch. Whether you’re sautéing vegetables, steaming fish, or prepping grains, these tools earn their place on the counter, not hidden in a cabinet.
Here are some of my favorite Asian cooking tools that will serve you well—no matter what’s on the menu.

Helen’s Asian Kitchen Stir Fry Sauce Bottle

What I love about this sauce bottle is that it is designed to measure, mix, serve and store stir fry sauces – in a quick-to-make, and easy-to-store manner. Forget looking up a recipe every time you need it, this bottle has four, authentic Asian stir fry sauce recipes printed directly on the glass bottle. (And, they’re permanent, so no worries about it fading or wearing off). 

Go ahead an mix things up and make Mandarin Orange, Canton Oyster, Beijing Hoison or Sichuan Spicy Black Bean Sauce. The 13-ounce bottle comes with an airtight cap, so you can store what you don’t use, in the fridge. Bottom line, authentic, Asian meals couldn’t be easier.

Helen’s Asian Kitchen Rice Washing Bowl

A rice-washing bowl is an imperative whether you are simmering the grain on the stove or preparing it with a rice cooker. Unfortunately, I was well into my adult life before I learned of the need to rinse my rice. Admittedly, with Minute Rice gracing the table when I was young, there was no need to rinse the rice. So, when I set out on my own, and began cooking non-Minute Rice rice, it never dawned on me that I needed to rinse it. 

For all those cooking purists out there, you’ll be relieved to know that I am rinsing my rice. And, while it isn’t an arduous task, I do find that the Helen’s Asian Kitchen Rice Washing Bowl makes it quite easy to do. The design, with its flat solid base stabilizes the bowl for soaking, and with a quick tilt, the perforated side strainer allows water and debris to drain out. Made from stainless steel, it is easy to wash by hand, but if needed, it’s also dishwasher safe. 

Helen’s Asian Kitchen Bamboo Steamer 10″

Helen’s Asian Kitchen Bamboo Steamer 12″

https://amzn.to/3KoQvHrHelen’s Asian Kitchen Stainless Steel Steamer Ring 10″

Steamer Ring 11″

Dumplings are delicious and so easy to prepare when using this 10″ steamer. But, what makes this bamboo steamer even more great is its versatility in the kitchen. Go beyond dumplings and use the steamer for so much more including veggies, fish, eggs, meat, bao and beyond.  The 2-tier design offers ample room for preparing single or multiple servings. Made from 100-percent all-natural bamboo, its design, especially when used with the stainless steel steaming ring turns almost any pan or stockpot into a steamer. 

Helen’s Asian Kitchen Spider Strainer

Affectionately nicknamed for its web-like design, the Spider Strainer is ideal for making noodles, homemade dumplings, and other types of pasta, blanching vegetables, deep frying, and more. This Spider Strainer features a shallow mesh basket that drains fried food quickly so they stay crispy and flavorful without an oily residue. Its bamboo handle stays cool to the touch during use. 

Helen’s Asian Kitchen Carbon Steel Wok

This carbon steel wok is the perfect addition to your cookware collection as it is ideal for stir frying, stewing, sauteing, steaming, braising, frying, and deep frying. Made of high-quality carbon steel that conducts heat evenly, and once properly seasoned, will work like a charm. It’s flat-bottom design sits securely on any stovetop and works equally well with gas, electric, and induction.

Whether you’re a skilled home cook, or just starting out, this collection of Asian kitchen tools are essential for every day use. Enjoy!

Send me a note about your favorite Asian cooking tools at Laura@amilyEats.net

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Water, coffee, tea and more . . .We take our beverages on the go, but the cost to the environment is staggering.

• Americans discard 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour.
• A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and the number will jump another 20% by 2021.
• Americans used about 50 billion plastic water bottles last year. However, the U.S.’s recycling rate for plastic is only 23 percent, which means 38 billion water bottles – more than $1 billion worth of plastic – are wasted each year.
• In the U.S. Airline industry, 9 billion plastic cups are used annually.
• 58 billion paper cups are thrown away in the U.S. annually. Most paper cups can’t be recycled because they are coated with plastic.
• Disposable paper cups contain 5% polyurethane plastic, making composting and recycling of disposable cups extremely rare.
• Half a trillion disposable cups are manufactured annually around the world; that’s over 70 disposable cups for every person on the planet.
• If you buy just one cup of coffee or tea in a disposable cup every day, you’ll end up creating about 23 lbs. of waste in one year.

This Earth Day, take the pledge to bring your own bottle wherever you roam.

Simple and Stylish Rehydration

Drinking water couldn’t be simpler than doing so in retap. Designed without edges to trap bacteria, this beautiful glass water bottle features a no-spill lid so you can carry it in your briefcase, purse or gym back. Available in 10 and 17oz sizes to fit in car cup holders, or 27-ounce for your desk. Choose your size, and then accessorize with your choice of top, and then a cotton knit sleeve.

Fill, Drink, Collapse and Store

Whether you’re trudging though the airport or backpacking in the beautiful outdoors, the colorful water bottle from Hydaway is collapsible to 1-1/4” thick, so put it in your pocket, pack or purse. The carrying handle fits a carabiner so you can clip on a bag. Dishwasher safe watertight, made of food-grade silicone. To protect your bottle in or out of your bag, Hydaway now comes with the handy carrying case.

Coffee Press and Hydration Bottle

Often called the Swiss Army Knife of bottles, the popular Espro Press is now available in a lightweight version. Providing for portability, durability and delicious brewing, The ESPRO Ultralight is the lightest 16-oz. combination press and hydration bottle of its kind. Made with vacuum insulated stainless steel, it keeps contents hot or cold for hours and allows outdoor enthusiasts and avid travelers alike to caffeinate and hydrate anywhere, at any time.

Everyday Hydration

The Diana Water bottle from Aladdin features a 2-in-one dome lid that is removable to add ice or clean. The bottle is vacuum-insulated stainless steel with a Tritan plastic top. The Diana bottle is scheduled to be available this spring at retailers and at the company website. There you can also find a range of styles for any drinking occasion.

Sip in Style

Sip wine in style in the backyard, beach or music festival with the Wine Cooler Set from Reduce by Base Brands. Double walled vacuum-insulated containers keep wine at the perfect temperature (fits most 750 ml bottles). The 12 oz. wine tumblers come with a Tritan lid to keep things from spilling. The set includes a wine cooler and 2 wine tumblers.

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We like good wine, but are sometimes caught in the trap – do we open that good bottle of wine if we only want to enjoy one glass? How are we going to keep it from going bad until the weekend?

We all know that wine is negatively affected by oxygen, and an unfinished bottle of wine, improperly stored, poses this problem . . . and often drives us to choose a wine that we wouldn’t feel a pang of pain if it went bad.

While at the recent International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, I happened upon the solution. Wine drinkers and enthusiasts,  ZOS Halo is the only wine preserver that eliminates 100% of the oxygen that spoils your wine.

No more pouring wine down the drain. With the ZOS system, you can open a great bottle of wine on Tuesday and finish it on the weekend. It preserves for a few days, weeks and, yes, even months! The ZOS Wine Preserver lets you enjoy every bottle by the glass.

As any wine lover knows, there are many products available which attempt to make an open bottle of wine last longer. But, some are less than reliable, and some are just too cumbersome to use. That’s what makes the ZOS a great alternative. 

 
Simply insert a ZOS wine stopper into a bottle. The ZOS cartridge, which consists of a proprietary blend of ingredients, absorbs 100% of the oxygen in minutes, stopping the aging of the wine. The unique stopper triple seals the bottle to prevent oxygen from leaking into the bottle once preserved. And, so you know it is doing the job, it lights up.

 The testing stand measures the oxygen absorbing capacity remaining in the cartridge, letting you know if it needs to be replaced. Each cartridge lasts approximately 10 bottles.

The ZOS will definitely be a great addition to our home – not only for our daily glass of wine, but also for when we have guests. We always open several different bottles, and oftentimes have some left over. With ZOS you can open what you want, drink how much you want — and when you want it!

Don’t waste a good bottle because you didn’t finish it, head on over to ZOS and start enjoying your wine!

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I am a firm believer that every day is an occasion to enjoy an assortment of different cheeses accompanied by bread, crackers, olives, nuts and more. And now with the holiday season here, I find myself planning which cheese will grace our table for small gatherings and holiday meals.

When I find myself with a fine mix of Roquefort, Wensleydale, Taleggio and Camembert for my guests, I also want to ensure they can be easily served. Through the years, I have amassed a nice collection of cheese knives which have graced my cheese board presentations. Lately, I have my new Rösle cheese knives to make things look pretty — and cut the cheese with precision.

Rösle cheese slicers, knives, and cleavers are perfect for entertaining and as handy kitchen utensils. Fashioned from stainless steel, the company’s cheese slicers and knives are attractive accompaniments for cheese and cracker platters, durable for long term usage, and are dishwasher safe for easy clean up.

Rösle’s Heirloom Quality

Admittedly, before these arrived on my doorstep, I was already a fan of Rösle products. My garlic press has been a staple in my kitchen for over a decade — it truly is one of the most used gadgets in my kitchen.  When so many other gadgets have come and gone, outliving their usefulness, or not being able to withstand the rigors of my kitchen, the Rösle garlic press is still around. It’s timeless design, functionality and durability truly transcends the years. In my kitchen, my Rösle garlic press has gained the status of ‘heirloom,’ as I know that it will be around years from now.

That is why I am confident my new collection of Rösle cheese knives will also attain the “heirloom” status — most likely passed on to Addison, who at the age of 10, truly enjoys a wide variety of cheeses.

Cheese Knives, Slicers and Cutters

Cheese varies, which means the equipment needed to serve them should vary as well. Sure, you can opt to use a selection of your table knives, but why take the chance that someone seeking a slice of Mahon will struggle to get a perfect slice? Here is a brief cheese knife guide using the newest cheese knives to enter my kitchen — including, which type of cheese is best suited to be sliced with each.

The Cheese Cleaver

The cheese cleaver is a perfect choice for cutting hard or firm cheeses into chunks or wedges. Use them with Edam, Gouda and Tilsiter, for example. The wide blade helps cut through aged cheese, and the sharp double blade helps facilitate smooth and straight slicing of firm cheese — quickly creating cubes and wedges.

Soft Cheese Knife

Perfect for soft cheese, the skeletal structure if the blade means cheese wont stick. The micro-serrated edge guarantees it will easily slice through the rind and the fork tip is perfect for picking up the cheese. Use with Brie, Camembert, or Humboldt Fog.

Wire Cheese Slicer

A classic cheese wire is used to cut the in between cheeses — think Havarti or Monterey Jack (i.e. those a bit softer than a hard cheese, yet harder than a brie). Two wires are situated at different widths from the center piece to offer slicing in different thicknesses. The prong allows for easy lifting and serving.

Parmesan Knife

Featuring a sharp tip to pierce through Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino, the broadening blade surface makes it easy to pry and break off pieces. The sturdy blade can also be used from spreading soft cheese on crackers. Ideal for semi-hard or semi-soft cheese.

About Rosle:

Since 1888, Rösle has been using German engineering to produce the finest quality professional cooking tools and kitchen utensils for the professional chef and home cook. Designed for optimum performance, comfort and appearance, Rösle cookware offers a complete integrated system of kitchen utensils, cookware tools, colanders, casseroles, frying pans, skillets, barbecue utensils, barware and more. Made from the highest grade 18/10 stainless steel, Rösle will bring pleasure to food preparation that is guaranteed for a lifetime.

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I’ve used a lot of thermal mugs in my time. Some keep them hot, others keep them tepid. Some are hard to clean, get banged up, lost parts and just don’t play the part.

Travel mugs have become a necessity in our day to day lives. Not only do they need to perform well, but they have become a style statement.

The new Kyocera Ceramic-Coated, Stainless Steel Coffee Mug is my latest favorite travel accessory. Whether I’m hopping in the car with my early morning coffee to drive one of the kids to school, sitting at my desk enjoying some tea, or sipping water when I’m off to the pool, this stylish 17-ounce travel mug is a trusted companion as I make my way through the day.

What makes it so functional is that the advanced ceramic-coated interior is non-reactive, will never rust or absorb flavors, stain, or corrode. That means, I can enjoy coffee in the early morning hours, tea when I sit down at my desk, and water on my afternoon hike without worrying about the taste of coffee tainting any other beverage I’m sipping.

The ceramic-coated interior is also a flavor savor, helping maintain temperature which is essential in maintaining flavor of the beverage. In fact, the thermal mug keeps drinks hot or cold for at least 6 hours and up to 12 hours depending on the starting temperature of the liquid.

It is light and compact design allows me to slip it into my bag easily, and the safety locking lid makes it spill proof (essential for my desktop and when I slip this into my bag). It stays cool to the touch when filled with hot beverages and never sweats with cold liquids.

Handy to use, the lid opens with one hand and the wide mouth ensures I can add ice cubes when filling with water, iced coffee or tea.

You can purchase the Kyocera Ceramic-Coated Insulated Travel Mug here, for $29.95

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But these were special occasions, not every day experiences, and honestly, I never really thought about it, but a terrine would be very handy in my kitchen. But, I just might have been wrong all these years.

The French Terrine

The terrine is a classic French piece of cookware, that takes a simple meatloaf, pate, or casserole to a new level. The Emile Henry Terrine is an oblong, ceramic casserole dish that has straight sides with a lid, designed to cook layers of chopped meats, vegetables, even frozen desserts (think delicious semifreddo) custards and gelatin.

The Emile Henry terrine is made of Burgundian clay that cooks food gently and evenly. The ceramic absorbs, distributes and retains heat evenly so everything is cooked to perfection,  and the straight sides help the food maintain its shape during cooking.

The Emile Henry Terrine comes with a press, to help remove air pockets that can form during cooking, and which can ruin the delicate texture of the cooked terrine. The handles make it easy to carry from oven to table.

Designed to last a lifetime, the glaze is hand applied, and will not chip, crack or craze over time. Because it is dishwasher, freezer and oven safe, the terrine is ideal for making meals ahead of time and sliding them into the freezer. Just pull out and slide into the oven, serve, and then place it in the dishwasher for easy clean-up.

The Emile Henry Terrine is available in three sizes. The small and medium sized terrines include a weighted press that molds ingredients from all sides to remove air pockets to maintain a custard, Pâté or terrines delicate texture.  The 6-inch and the 8-inch terrine dishes ,with tight ceramic lids, are available in Burgundy and Flour colors and retail for $50 each.

The large, 9.5-inch long terrine is sized just right for vegetable or meat lasagnas, foie gras, ice cream cakes, custards, gelatins, fruit and frozen desserts. Its tight-fitting lid allows the ingredients to steam so that foods emerge tender and moist and for frozen desserts to set up perfectly. The large Terrine is available in Burgundy, Flour and Oak colors and retails for $60.

https://www.emilehenryusa.com/hr-colors/Terrine-Press-Small-Burgundy-plu349706.html

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I’m always grabbing some plastic wrap, or in search of a container post dinner, for lunches, and after we bake our  homemade bread. What bothers me more than the search for something to cover and store my food, is the amount of plastic we use to do it! 

That’s why when I ran across Bee’s Wrap at the International Home & Housewares Show earlier in March, I knew immediately, that this could be the  product that would help eliminate plastic in our kitchen — providing us with a  more sustainable way to store our food, transport sandwiches to school, and wrap our homemade bread to ensure it stays fresh throughout the week.

Founder Sarah Kaeck revived the lost tradition of coating organic cotton muslin with beeswax, and created this washable, reusable, compostable alternative to plastic wrap. Made of organic cotton, sustainably sourced beeswax from the United States, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin, the combination of these ingredients creates a malleable reusable food wrap that is perfect for wrapping a variety of foods.

Use it to cover a bowl, wrap cheese, fruit or bread, the warmth of your hands forms the wrap around the food, bowl or dish, and when the wrap cools, it keeps its shape.

And, the natural antibacterial properties of beeswax and jojoba oil help keep food fresh, without imparting any ‘honey’ flavor to the food. Bee’s Wrap is reusable time and again, and can last for roughly one year. Simply wash with cool water and soap, hang to dry, and use again!

And, because it it compostable, I know that if my kids happen to loose it, it won’t be yet another plastic container in the landfill.

To find a retailer near you, visit here or visit the company website for online orders – www.beeswrap.com

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Modern homesteaders, DIYers, and traditional home cooks have been embracing home canning jars  for so much more than canning fruits and vegetables. While I haven’t fully indulged in the craze, I have been known to use them from time to time for everything from serving drinks to storing beans to holding candles. With DIY crafting creations and creative uses for the kitchen filling Pinterest pages, it is clear that this ‘trend’ is not going away.

Making Storage Easier

When it comes to food, my pantry cupboard is filled with bulk foods — ingredients from flour to beans, nuts and beyond. Most of my bulk foods are stored in OXO POP Containers, with a smattering of others in glass canning jars.

Recently, I got my hands on the German-made Weck jars, a mainstay in European kitchens for more than a century. With their wide-mouthed tapered shape and with the Weck strawberry logo embossed on the side, these canning jars give me a bit more style than the classic Mason jar. All in all, these sturdy and attractive Weck jars are perfect for my needs . . .  except . . . the separate glass lids with metal clamps make the Weck jars impractical to use.

The kids struggle trying to reseal the jars after extracting granola, sea salt, spice rubs, crackers, or whatever is inside (OK, I do as well). So, I wondered how I could make my Weck jars more user friendly.

And that is how I became a big fan of the Blossom eCap, available from Spice Ratchet. These one-piece, multi-use storage caps lock in freshness with an air-tight seal, and will never ever rust. The air-tight seal makes storage and transport yogurt, salad dressings, sauces and soups – even for carrying lunch to work. It is even ideal for storing homemade ice cream in the freezer.

Now, for those who love the shape, but who struggle with the Weck clamp-top, the Blossom eCap ensures ease of use and safety during storage and transport. Fully compliant with FDA & LFGB food-safe silicone requirements, Blossom eCap is my choice for easy, secure and stylish storing and transporting.

Available in two sizes.  The Large Cap snaps over the mouth of any Weck jar with a 3-7/8” opening, the small cap fits Weck jars with a 2-3/8” opening.

And, perhaps my favorite Blossom storage cap Weck jars, is the Infuser eCap! I use this to make my famous salad dressing – and when the jar is empty and cleaned, I’ve been known to infuse oils – allowing me to store the dressing from the fridge to the table in just seconds. And, if I still had little ones, it could also be for a sippy cup at the dinner table!

For anyone who is into traditional mason jars, Blossom has mason jar toppers in a variety of sizes and colors including in two sizes for regular and wide mouth mason jars. Also available is the Infuser Cap, Flower Frog — another one of my favorites used for creating flower arrangements, as well as the Sipping uCap with a straw hole.

You can shop for all these great silicone caps for both Mason and Weck Jars on the Spice Ratchet website.

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My kitchen is always a circus. Pots clanging, kids speeding through, water boiling, dishes in the sink, me yelling, “Can someone please set the table!” It’s energy-filled, excitement, with a bit of chaos.

That’s exactly why I love the new Alessi Circus collection. Not necessarily the same hectic ‘circus’ I described, rather a refined and fun take on the circus as it relates to the home.

The new Circus Collection, designed by Marcel Wanders, features tableware and housewares accessories which evoke surprise, excitement, and astonishment — making you feel as if you are at a circus.

Shapes, colors, and designs recall the dazzling lights of the stage, the brilliantly colored costumes, and the gaiety of a merry-go-round. Impeccable accents in bright colors and shiny metallics expertly pair ornate beauty with whimsical design. Each piece is characterized by rhomboid, circular, striped and pointed geometrical figures, in a perfect balance of colors, alternating between white, black, yellow, red, gold and silver.

“The circus is something that goes beyond everyday life. The richness and wonder before our eyes, what we hear and capture without senses, stays with us,” explains Wanders. “It is a very unique feeling of magic and we wanted to celebrate it in an imaginative collection.”

The collection is destined to become family heirlooms and includes One-of-a-kind jars are made of silk-screened glass, embellished with a ring of horses that recalls a merry- go-round. Tin lids delight in their emulation of circus tents, creating a homeware perfect for holding cookies, candy, or any pantry item.

Round trays, placemats, small bowls, salad bowls, and containers are ideal for serving parties large or small, stylishly marked by whimsical geometric patterns featuring bright, exciting colors. Plate dessert spreads or appetizers, or serve leafy salads. Each piece is made of delicate bone china.

Furnish a bar with design of the utmost wonder using the ice bucket, bottle stands, and wine cooler. Made of 18/10 stainless steel, these homewares are ideal both for enjoying a glass of wine on a cozy night in, or for entertaining and astonishing a crowd.

The Limited Edition items include:

For more information about the Alessi Circus line, visit www.allessi.com/en

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Pizza night is a family tradition that we just can’t miss. It is so important in our children’s lives that on occasion someone turns down a Saturday night sleepover just so he/she will not miss our Saturday evening family pizza night.

Now, with my latest Favorite Find, we’ just might be adding  Alessi to our family pizza night celebration

Pizza Time with Alessi

With a perfect balance of elegance and satire, Antonio Aricò-LPWK (Laura Polinoro Design Workshop) has designed a range of sophisticated pizza plates for AdiAlessi, bringing Italian cuisine and culture to mealtimes around the world.

The plates are partly inspired by the famous monochromatic ceramics of Gio Ponti, each exploring the infinite shades of a single color: red, green, brown or blue. This refined range of tones brings sophistication to the more traditional image depicted at the plate’s center.

Three figures – Mr. Punch or Pulcinello from the commedia dell’arte tradition – perform an acrobatic dance while preparing the pizza against the background of Mt. Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. Aricò’s clever interpretation of classic icons of Italian tradition is also seen in the “Souvenir d’Italie” collection of figures presented in 2015, celebrating the richness and variety of Italian customs.

Says Laura Polinoro of the tableware, “These new pizza plates tell the story of the themes of Italian food, especially the Neapolitan tradition, in an elegant and sophisticated manner, but at the same time are also playful: a touch of grace and irony in a daily act of Italian culture.”

The #vivanapoli pizza plates are available in two sets, red and green or brown and blue, and are made from decorated dishwasher-safe white ceramic.

The Taio pizza wheel take the art of pizza cutting to a new level. Taio resembles a box, a pouch into which the pizza cutter has been inserted. Taio’s generous size and gentle curves make it safe, easy to handle, and effective at slicing pizza, creating softness in the act of cutting.

The Taio pizza wheel and pizza plates can be found here.

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