-1

https://youtu.be/yeg67jnZozU

I usually use a soup ladle when making soup. I see Marco using a spatula when making his soup in the linked video. Why is that?

I get that plastic utensils are preferred when using non stick cookware so not to scratch the coating, but a spatula seems odd when dealing with nearly half a gallon of soup.

Neil Meyer
  • 4,573
  • 8
  • 35
  • 58

1 Answers1

16

I'd use a wooden spatula rather than one of those over-flexible plastic ones, but…
a soup ladle is for serving soup. It's completely the wrong implement for making it.

You can't stir properly, making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom or round the edges whilst frying/sautéing or even later whilst simmering. You can't scrape round the pan sides, or pick up a knob of butter… It's just too clumsy at that point in the process.

Tetsujin
  • 28,646
  • 4
  • 72
  • 111
  • 4
    With thicker soups, being able to clear the bottom while simmering is vital, especially in big batches. That's enough reason alone, but a reasonably stiff spatula will stir the bulk at least as well as a ladle. I was going to say the same as you but forgot to finish my post, so have my vote instead. – Chris H Apr 20 '23 at 08:56
  • 4
    In that recipe in particular, you really want to be able to turn over the veg as it's softening, to ensure even heating. A flat thing does that better than anything else. That's a reason to prefer a spatula over a wooden spoon, let alone a ladle. – Chris H Apr 20 '23 at 08:58
  • Agree on the wooden spoon. Can't think of anything they might ever be actually useful for. My girlfriend swears by them. I swear *at* them. Pointless lumps of wood. Spatulas FTW, every time ;) – Tetsujin Apr 20 '23 at 16:46
  • Now if only I could get spatulas (I've got some nice wooden ones) as long as some of my spoons, to reach the bottom of a stock pot full of soup. – Chris H Apr 20 '23 at 20:48
  • @ChrisH I’ve seen ones that approaching the size of small boat paddles at both restaurant supply stores and at Hispanic grocery stores. (You want one that has a good section of huge pots, like you’re cooking for 20+ people, not just a small section with tortilla presses and citrus squeezers). You can also get them on Amazon (look for Cajun or gumbo mentioned, like https://www.amazon.com//dp/B0BNL27F7P/ – Joe Apr 21 '23 at 00:10
  • @Joe that suggests somewhere I've been planning to go for a while (the retail shop for a wholesaler, that's mainly an Indian supermarket but with some catering supplies). Not that it's really a big deal, I don't cook that much bulk often, but coincidentally did 5 litres last week. – Chris H Apr 21 '23 at 05:38