Written by adam on Jun 26, 2006
Pastry Scraper: A Multi-Purpose Tool
You see these used all the time on cooking shows, but not in the way in which they are marketed. These flat pieces of metal are really for cutting and scraping pastry. On Martha Stewart's web site, it's billed as a device used to scrape pastry junk off of a work surface. I sometimes use mine to cut dough when I'm making scones. But on TV (and often in my kitchen) you see them being used as scoopers. Sounds fun, doesn't it?
There are quite a few brands out there on the market. The one I use at home came from Williams-Sonoma. TheWife had a gift certificate for W-S and used part of it to buy me this wonderful present. The W-S version is all steel, with a rounded "handle" the actual blade part is slightly serrated for when you want to use it for actual pastry cutting or scraping.
If ever I'm making a big batch of soup, stew, chili, Jambalaya, gumbo, or anything that requires large amounts of chopped ingredients, I always bring out my J.A. Henckel's chef knife and my scooper/scraper.
Now, I don't recommend everyone going out to Williams-Sonoma. That place is extremely overprices, and besides, it doesn't really fit into the philosophy of Men in Aprons too well. Everyone should be able to cook, not just the super-rich. If you want to find a good pastry scraper/helper check out you local Bed, Bath, and Beyond or similar place. Or check this one from OXO (aff) on Amazon.
Responses to "Pastry Scraper: A Multi-Purpose Tool" ...
I use mine for scones as well! :) That's about all I've tried it with tho. ;)
Christine
Grahm Kerr calls his a Bash & Chop.
Oh yeah ... martha calls it a "kitchen helper." Funny, that's what I call my wife. OH! She'll kill me for that remark.
Donna
Your grandmother used it for cutting her dough when she made potato rolls. I now have it and find it a very useful tool in the kitchen.
I've seen these at stores and think I need one. I'm always dropping chopped veggies as I go from the counter space on one side of the kitchen to the stove on the other side of the kitchen...ugh!
Ryan
Almost every little kitchen gadget imaginable can be acquired at a local restaurant supply store for cheap. I live in New York and for $4, picked up a wood-handled dough scraper in the Bowery. Also got a smallish metal turner, oven thermometer and aluminum half-sheet pan for $4-6 each.
The stainless one pictured looks nice, but I feel like stuff would get stuck in that loop handle.
Since winter of 2004, I have been exploring the world of cooking and helping out my fellow men in their quests to better themselves in the kitchen. My name is Adam Byrd, you can learn more about me and my mission on my