What Are Fine Mesh Strainers Used For?

Fine mesh strainers are an essential tool in the kitchen. You may have thought of the more common uses listed below, but keep reading for a hint where you might not be using your strainer.

• Sifting flour or powdered sugar
• Rinsing food such as quinoa or rice
• Rinsing fresh herbs
• Straining sauces
• Catching seeds from citrus when juicing by hand
• Separating fat from gravy

Anytime you need to evenly spread a single ground spice or a combination of spices, powdered sugar, or cocoa on your food, use your fine mesh strainer. Simply put, whatever you wish to spread in your strainer, hold it about a foot above the food and gently tap the side of the strainer as you move the strainer over the food. This provides a more even distribution instead of having more in some spots and less in others.

For example, use the strainer to evenly distribute paprika over your chicken. If you have a combination of spices you want to distribute, combine them, and then use the strainer to distribute them. Another benefit is if you have a lot of pieces of chicken or other food you want to cover, the strainer can help you do it more quickly.

You can also use the strainer to sprinkle cocoa or powdered sugar over a dessert. Now that you know the hint, you can come up with your own creative ways of quickly and evenly getting those spices over your food.

If you have bay leaves, whole spices, mulling spices, or peppercorns that you want to remove at the end of the cooking period, use a mesh tea strainer. Simply put the ingredients inside the strainer and clip the ball to the side of your pan. If you aren’t able to attach it to the side of the pot, just drop it into the pot and take it out when it is no longer needed. No more fishing for all the small flavorings to get them out of the dish. You could also put garlic cloves or onions in the strainer. You’ll get the flavor without biting into a piece of garlic or onion in your dish.