Weekend Wonders: Whisks Allsorts

To think that the whisk of the day is based on precursors of twig bundles is not hard, if you consider some, like the Nigerian Ijabe and the Japanese Chasen, both featured below.

Bundles of twigs, typically willow, have long been used as whisks; often the wood used would lend a certain fragrance to the dish. An 18th century Shaker recipe calls to “Cut a handful of peach twigs which are filled with sap at this season of the year. Clip the ends and bruise them and beat the cake batter with them. This will impart a delicate peach flavor to the cake, Wikipedia

So here is a brief introduction to most…not all of my whisk collection.

Loved for what they teach me about countries, cultures and cuisines.Loved for how varied their forms and functions are.

Nigerian ‘Ewedu’ Whisk

This is a whisk popular in the west of Nigeria, amongst the Yorubas. Commonly called ‘Ijabe‘,  it is used to chop up, whisk and blend a variety of jute leaves called ‘Ewedu’ and is referred to as Ewedu Broom.

The older versions of this whisk were made from short bunches of broomsticks, with hard bristles.

It serves three functions in the making of Ewedu soup. It allows the cooked, softened leaves to be chopped, mashed  and whisked, creating a sauce that is almost pureed and has released the mucilaginous properties of the Ewedu leaves, like Okro.

When I found them at a shop, I was ecstatic. And bought 3 of each size! They cost next to nothing but will now go into my collection of cooking utensils and things to ‘gift’!

These newer versions have firm handles, with really strong bristles, and they look pretty too.

Typically in Nigeria, most of the brooms are made from the main veins of palm-tree leaves.

And are available to buy in Nigeria and Abroad (for the ‘classic’ version).

Japanese Matcha Whisk

 Watch Eric Gower, The Breakaway Cook make it in this video.

Danish Dough Whisk

This Danish dough whisk, or bread whisk, is used to whip up bread dough without getting any on your hands, and without having to get dough bits under your nails scraping at the sides.

Because it has only about four percent of the surface area of a regular spoon, it allows you to get air into the dough, making it lighter and fluffier, while evenly mixing all the ingredients and keeping your hands clean. It’s also made of unyielding metal, so it won’t bend when you pull it through a thick dough. Basically, it’s an alternative to everything you have in your drawer that didn’t work perfectly on bread dough.

It seems that this oddly-looped whisk has its roots in Denmark, hence the “Danish” modifier, but is now only manufactured in Poland. You can get your own on specialty cooking websites.

Mexican Molinillo

A gift from a wonderful Mexican friend, I’ve used this whisk to make many a thing, from Mexican hot chocolate, light and frothy to more Mexican hot chocolate, perfect to serve with macarons.

A Molinillo is a traditional Mexican turned wood whisk, also used in Colombia.

Its use is principally for the preparation of hot beverages such as hot chocolate, atole and champurrado.

The molinillo is held between the palms and rotated by rubbing the palms together; this rotation creates the froth in the drink.This process is the subject of a popular children’s nursery rhyme in Mexico.

‘Teardrop’ Balloon Whisk

Gourmet says it well ‘This is the whisk that Julia Child made famous int he sixties, and it’s the one to use for incorporating air into bowls of egg whites or cream— think meringues, soufflés, cake batters, and whipped creams.

Use it, too, when a recipe calls for mixing together dry ingredients, like flour, salt, and baking powder, baking soda: It distributes and helps break up any large bits, often eliminating the need for sifting.

The balloon should have at least eight sturdy, flexible wires.

This is my standard whisk. For everything.

Most commonly used. Sometimes I begin with it, and then finish with my mini one.

They apparently get their name from resembling inflated hot air balloons, albeit turned upside down!

Mini ‘Teardrop’ Balloon Whisk

This is my mini version of the balloon whisk. To begin with, I got it for my children, so they could have utensils perfect for small hands.

I end up using it just as much more than they do! Obviously.

A mini whisk with long handle stirs up your favorite cocktail in the shaker or glass. Bar whisk is a must for nogs, flips and crème de menthe drinks, as well as vinaigrettes or sauces; Crate & Barrel

Round Balloon Whisk

First spotted on food52. Blondies Recipe, Photo numbers 5, 6 and 7!

And I knew I had to have one.

I wasn’t the only one fascinated by the whisk, and imagining that it had special purpose. AJ had the same thing too!

Gravy/Sauce Whisk

This is a great flat-bottomed whisk, which has enough surface area/reach to stir the drippings and bits at the bottom of the pan. It also allows the incorporation of liquids like a roux, when combining fat, flour and liquid.

My go-to whisk for all things sauces, especially around the holidays.

Also called the spiral whisk.

I used to have a metal version, which had one main loop with another wire coiled around it. My spiral came off…..so I don’t have it anymore. Except I can locate the spiral….

Found. Yipee………It knew I was looking for it so here it is. My metal version – it has one main loop with another wire coiled around it – the spiral can come off…..

Apparently, the angle of the whisk head is ideal for jello too!

Vintage Rotary Egg Beater/Whisk

Hand-operated rotary egg beaters were invented just before 1860, but at that time it wasn’t yet clear what the best design for the job would be. Different inventors had different ideas for labour-saving ways of whisking eggs.

The first beaters with rotating parts were probably an American design patented in 1856 and, in England, Griffiths’ Whisk patented 1857 . Home Things Past

I have used mine a few times……for fun. With the kids.

Never seriously but the day is coming!!!!

Egg Whisk

Yet another vintage find.

Also called a spring wire whisk.

This whisk graces the walls of my ‘shrine’ as my younger sister calls my ‘hallowed’ kitchen space.

Its never been used, but is known for its qualities in beating eggs.

It reminds me of a beehive 🙂

As I grabbed the egg whisk, I mused that I can’t even remember how long I’ve had it.  I’ve been married 27 years and I must acquired it even before that.  My mom probably passed it along to me to equip my college apartment.  All of my other whisks have been replaced many times over, but this one, that one that bounces and boings, is still going strong; Come Weary Moms

Egg Whisk

Yet another vintage whisk. Also gracing my kitchen walls.

Also never used.

Also called Wire Coil. Egg Whisk Beater.

Can be brought to good use….in all sorts of ways.

Will be brought to good use. Soon.

So there you have it, my collection of all things whisks and beaters, sans the electric ones.

I still have a few I’d love to acquire, like this egg separator whisk and this flat, almost-fish slice type whisk.

Till then, I’ll enjoy my Whisks Allsorts.

Words of Wisdom on Whisks, from Cookentertain.com:

Perhaps the next most important factor behind shape, when it comes to whisking, is speed – the speed at which you whisk the ingredients. 

Using a whisk at a slow speed produces a dense, smooth finished product.  That’s because you are not incorporating as much air into the ingredients.  Slow is how you want to approach sauces. Slow speed for sauces!

Using a whisk at a fast speed produces a lighter, airier finished product because you are able to get a lot of air into liquids.  Fast is how you want to whip egg whites for a soufflé or cream for whipped cream – getting more air into the liquids gives you a puffy soufflé or a whipped cream that’s as fluffy as clouds. Fast for light & airy bakes!

Some Whisk Resources

• Your guide to selecting & buying whisks, from handles to cleaning: Gadget -A-G0-G0 on feaststl.com
• Excellent 7+ minute Cooking Video on whisks and how to use them by Peter Hertzmann, Reluctant Gourmet
• Changed from flat to balloon in an instant? See Oh Gizmo’s find!
• A sauce whisk, in detail, Rosle

So, are you a Whisk Collector?

If you have any whisks not featured here, regular or weird and wonderful, send me a photo and a note and I’ll do a round-up………..to share the wonderful world of handheld, non-electrical ‘whipping’, ‘whisking’ and ‘beating’ utensils!

Enjoy what’s left of this weekend!

Love X X X