What are the cooking tools used in Romania?

Romanian cuisine is diverse and influenced by various cultures, leading to a wide range of cooking tools and utensils used in its preparation. Here are some common cooking tools found in Romanian kitchens:

1. Cauldron (Cazan): A large pot or cauldron is essential for cooking traditional stews, soups, and dishes like "ciorbă" and "tochitură."

2. Wooden Spoons (Lignuri): Wooden spoons are widely used for stirring, mixing, and serving food in Romanian kitchens.

3. Mortar and Pestle (Piuliță și Pistil): Used to grind spices, nuts, and seeds to create flavorful pastes and seasonings.

4. Cast Iron Skillet (Tigaie din Fontă): Ideal for searing, frying, and cooking hearty meat dishes like "mici."

5. Rolling Pin (Sucitor): Used for rolling out dough for pastries and traditional Romanian breads.

6. Colander (Strecurătoare): A perforated container for draining liquids from food while cooking or washing.

7. Ceramic Pots (Oale de Lut): Traditional ceramic pots are used to cook stews, soups, and "sarmale" (cabbage rolls).

8. Cutting Board (Tocător): A sturdy cutting board for chopping, slicing, and preparing ingredients.

9. Bread Oven (Cuptor de Pâine): A traditional Romanian oven used for baking bread, pastries, and other baked goods.

10. Sifter (Strecurătoare de Făină): Used to aerate and sift flour for pastries, cakes, and bread.

11. Potato Masher (Zdrobitor de Cartofi): Essential for preparing mashed potatoes, a popular side dish in Romania.

12. Whisk (Tel): Used for beating, whipping, and mixing ingredients.

13. Garlic Press (Presă de Usturoi): Commonly used to incorporate minced garlic into dishes.

14. Meat Grinder (Mașină de Toarnă): Used for grinding meat, making sausages, and preparing certain meat dishes.

15. Grater (Răzătoare): For grating cheese, vegetables, and other ingredients.

16. Spatula (Spatulă): Used for flipping and removing food from pans, especially for delicate dishes like pancakes.

17. Measuring Cups (Căni de Măsurat): Used for accurately measuring ingredients during cooking and baking.

18. Kitchen Scales (Cumpănă): Some Romanian recipes require precise measurements, so kitchen scales are commonly used.

These cooking tools are essential in Romanian kitchens, enabling home cooks to create a wide variety of traditional and modern Romanian dishes.