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Every so often, we like to talk about not only the ingredients that you should have in your kitchen, but the tools you need to make cooking a success. Whether its a set of mixing bowls, a chef’s knife, or the right spatula for the dish you’re creating, having the right cooking equipment can make cooking easier and less stressful. It can also make your dish come out perfectly, especially if its a tool or kitchen gadget that performs a precise function.
Ladles, however, aren’t so precision heavy. They are, however, extremely functional and can help keep your countertop and stovetop from turning into a sauce or soup drippage nightmare.
What is a Ladle?
At its most basic, a ladle is just a large serving spoon that’s generally used for soups and sauces. It features a long straight handle that ends in a small cup or bowl shape. Ladles make serving liquid dishes and drinks a breeze, and everyone should have at least a few stocked away in their home. Here are three types of ladles that every cook needs in the kitchen.
1. Sauce Ladle
You can quickly tell the difference between a soup ladle and a sauce ladle by its length. A ladle that’s 5 inches or less long, is used for serving sauces or condiments, while a longer one is used for serving entrees like soups or drinks. A sauce ladle is a perfect addition to the kitchen because it helps you keep portion sizes consistent when topping off dishes with a sauce.
When you’re looking for a sauce ladle, you should find one that has “pouring lips” on each side. This helps prevent drips. Sauce ladles come in a pretty wide variety of materials, including stainless steel, plastic, wood, bamboo, aluminum, and silver. We prefer stainless steel, though.
2. Soup Ladle
Soup ladles are similar in shape to a sauce ladle, but like we mentioned earlier, they feature a longer handle. This is usually because you need something a little larger when you’re serving soup as a main dish. These ladles are usually around 15 inches long. Soup ladles are also often used for serving punch (if anyone still does that, these days) and can also work well for serving dishes that are sauce or broth heavy (think creamy pastas). Aside from length, many soup ladles also have a more pronounced curve at the end. And like sauce ladles, they come in a range of materials. It’s not a bad idea to have a couple of soup ladles lying around the kitchen – one nicer one for presentation and a plastic one or two for function.
A slotted ladle is a cross between a sieve and a regular ladle. It obviously serves a niche purpose, since a slotted ladle wouldn’t work well at all for soups or drinks that need to be served. This tool is mainly used to serve foods that are stored in liquids, but need to be served without them. This includes a lot of canned foods, such as canned fruits and vegetables. It could also be used for retrieving things like hard boiled eggs or other types of small foods that need to be cooked in liquid.
Interestingly enough, slotted ladles are most well known for serving absinthe – the well-known and high proof alcohol. In a common ritual for serving, a sugar cube is placed on a special slotted ladle, and cold water is poured over it to flavor the absinthe drink.
What types of ladles do you use most often in your cooking? Do you prefer a specific type or make? Let us know in the comments!
