Sadly, I will not be starting out with my rendition of the late 90’s hit song.  I don’t think many would appreciate my lack of lyrical skill.  But I do feel tongs are tools that don’t get enough recognition in the home kitchen. 

While waiting on line for lunch the other day, a few of us got into a conversation about the wonders of kitchen tongs.  The main complaint: how any one could have a kitchen without tongs!

It made me start thinking about my days in restaurant kitchens.  We would have tongs everywhere- hanging on the oven doors, on the magnetic strips on the wall, tucked into our apron strings and some even tucked into our back pockets.  My tongs were an extension of me.  I would rarely go to reach for something bare handed (for obvious reasons, skin and hot metal objects in a kitchen don’t mix!).  From flipping fish to plating delicate salads, I used my tongs for it all. 

Now that I only cook at home, I still use them for almost everything.  I have 3 pairs of tongs; my favorite pair is from culinary school.  They are no frills; no locking mechanism, no silicone grips for comfort, heavy duty and very sturdy, just a nice simple pair of springy tongs.

Are tongs a must have item in your kitchen?  Tell us about your tong tongtong-tong-tongs!