In the world of cooking, sometimes the simplest hacks can lead to the biggest transformations in your kitchen experience. At Mashed, we’ve already shared some butter tricks that are game-changers, like how freezing butter can prolong its shelf life or the wisdom of opting for unsalted varieties when making desserts. But we have something new that’s sure to elevate your cooking endeavors. Thanks to an exclusive conversation with Norma Salazar, a highly respected chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education‘s Los Angeles campus, we’re excited to introduce a simple yet effective technique: using a bench scraper instead of a knife for cutting butter.
Why is this tip so valuable? As Salazar explains, “Bench scrapers are sharp enough to cut dough, butter, and other ingredients, yet they are designed in a way that decreases the risk of cutting yourself.” If you’ve ever had an unpleasant run-in with a knife while preparing ingredients, you’ll appreciate this safer option. Beyond safety, these versatile tools shine when it comes to their utility. The flat, wide surface of a bench scraper makes transferring butter from your counter or cutting board to a bowl a breeze. Salazar notes, “[Bench scrapers] can easily pick up chopped nuts and herbs off the cutting board to place in a bowl.” In terms of efficiency and ease, they’re a cut above the rest—no pun intended!
And here’s the cherry on top: cleaning up becomes far less of a chore. You can simply scrape any leftovers from your work area into the trash or compost with minimal fuss, giving you more time to enjoy your culinary creations rather than scrubbing down your kitchen.
Metal vs. Plastic: Which Bench Scraper Material Is Best?
As any experienced cook can tell you, not all kitchen tools are created equal—some quickly gather dust because they just don’t pull their weight. Take the vegetable spiralizer, for example (we see you!). On the flip side, bench scrapers are truly in a class of their own when it comes to versatility and functionality in the kitchen. Whether you’re cutting butter, shaping and trimming homemade pasta, chopping vegetables, crushing garlic, or applying cake frosting, these scrapers excel at so many tasks. But, as Norma Salazar points out, selecting the right type of scraper for your specific needs is crucial.
“Metal bench scrapers are meant for cutting through tougher items,” she clarifies, “whereas plastic bench scrapers are perfect for scraping the sides and bottoms of bowls and cutting softer dough like those on a wooden bench—this prevents the wood from getting damaged.” So, here’s the takeaway: it might be helpful to keep both types of bench scrapers handy in your kitchen arsenal. Each serves a unique purpose depending on what you’re preparing. Remember, the temperature of butter can significantly impact how you should handle it. For recipes that require cold, firm butter—like our favorite bakery-style chocolate chip cookies—a stainless steel bench scraper is often the best choice. On the other hand, if you’re handling room-temperature butter or softer mixes, a plastic bench scraper provides the flexibility and give that makes slicing and dicing a cinch.
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