Fish Flipping Made Easy

There are so many things that can make me happy in the kitchen and a perfect tool is one of them.  I love when I can grab just the right thing for a job, an act that entails:

• Knowing just what the right thing is;
• Having it; and
• Being able to put my hands on it the instant I need it.

Given that I’ve got oodles (shorthand for hundreds) of kitchen tools and gadgets, that they’re divided among three kitchens and that I’m neither the neatest nor the most organized person in the world, when all the tool-elements are aligned, it’s an excellent day.

Fortunately, when I need the right spatula for turning and lifting delicate fish (or omelets, chicken breasts, veal scaloppini or something that’s being sautéed), it’s always a happy day because I’ve got flexible spatulas in each of my kitchens. 

Here’s the one that lives in New York:

The spatula’s slightly wedged shape, thin blade and flexibility (bend it and it will give) make it easy to maneuver in tight spaces – think of it as the sports car of spatulas – while its shape is cradling and its slotted spines allow excess liquids to fall back into the pan.

The first time I saw one of these was when I was working in Daniel Boulud’s kitchen.  (Until Food Network chefs started flipping them around, they were rarely seen in public.)  Of course, I ran out and bought one as soon as I hung up my apron. 

If you’re in a store, buying one is simple:  you just point to the spatula of your choice.  The problems start when you try to stock up online – the tool is variously called a flexible spatula, a slotted spatula, a chef’s spatula, a flexible slotted chef’s spatula, or even a flexible slotted French chef's spatula. Aaarrgh.

Just to get you started, here are a few sources for the many-nomered always-dependable spatula:

• You can get a Wusthof slotted spatula (that’s the one in the picture) for about $40 at Chefs Catalog; it’s pricey, but you’re only going to buy it once in your life – there are no moving parts to wear out;

• You can pick up a Lamson and Goodnow Chef’s Slotted Turner (I’ve got one of these too) for $25 at their online store (or at amazon, where the more expensive ebony-handled turner is a better buy);

• And then there’s the new kid on the block:  Mario Batali’s Soft Grip Slotted Fish Turner, made of nylon and ringing in at an easy-to-take $8 on amazon. 

I’m not sure that nylon has the support of metal, but for 8 bucks I’ll give it a test drive. Unless you know something I should know ...

Comments

[Dorie]

Ah, the baby offset spatula. Thanks for giving it that name Robyn -- I've always called it the offset icing spatula, but your name is much cuter. Actually, I'd put all offset spatulas in the pantheon of great tools. They're good for so many things, including making pb&j sandwiches.

[Robyn]

Thanks for sharing! I also really enjoyed this post; I find it charming when we as chefs have tools we can't live without. I have three (as a pastry chef) and I cannot place one before another: the dough/bench scraper, the bowl scraper, and the baby offset spatula.

[laura @ cucina testa rossa]

I LOVE my fish spatula! though, like Lisa, I use it for much more than just fish! From eggs to chocolate fondant, it's saved me more times than I can count. It's the little things in life.... :)

[T.W. Barritt]

By any name, this spatula is an excellent tool - and it's good to know that I'm not the only one that struggles with organization in the kitchen!

[Lisa]

I bought my first slotted spatula on Amazon a few years ago.. I think I paid $17.00 for it? It's my go-to spatula for just about everything (and probably things that I shouldn't be using it for)- I absolutely love it! =)