Kitchen Crutches: 4 Cooking Tools and Shortcuts You're Using Too Often

The article discusses four common cooking tools and shortcuts that may not be as useful as they seem. It cautions against overreliance on the following: 1. Garlic presses: While convenient, they can bruise the garlic and leave behind an undesirable texture. Mincing garlic by hand is a better option. 2. Nonstick cookware: These pans can scratch easily and release toxic chemicals when heated to high temperatures. Investing in high-quality stainless steel or cast-iron cookware is recommended. 3. Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurement is not always necessary, and using these tools can lead to overthinking recipes. Estimating ingredients can often produce equally good results. 4. Cooking spray: These sprays can leave a residue on surfaces and may not be as effective as using a small amount of oil or butter. Oiling pans manually is a more reliable method. The article suggests that relying too heavily on these "kitchen crutches" can hinder one's cooking skills and prevent them from developing a better understanding of the culinary process.