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Jan Thie's avatar

I have two. A generic big metal sieve with one long handle and a mesh of tiny holes. The other one is more interesting. It's a plastic thing, once yellow, I guess. My mother didn't use it and she gave it to me when I left home, age seventeen. It has travelled with me from student room to student room, from room to house and from country to country. I still use it a lot. At the bottom it has holes, above a round foot(?), so the leaked water doesn't touch what's inside the colander. What makes it super efficient is that all around there are many narrow vertical slits from top to bottom, which are very useful if you want to dry a lot. The thing has a late Fifties/early Sixties vibe to it.

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Andrea Nguyen's avatar

When I met Rory he was using his mom’s old metal colander which had holes all over. We’re still together! 🤣😆😅

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Melissa's avatar

Is it Tupperware? My family had a yellow Tupperware colander with a handle that matches your description.

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Jan Thie's avatar

Ah, no. Mine has no handle and we had no Tupperware yet in Holland when my parents bought (or got) theirs.

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Jolene Handy's avatar

What a powerful opening paragraph, Andrea — Culinary DEI.

Wishing you all the luck on Cooking Thai!

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Andrea Nguyen's avatar

Been thinking about that one for months, Jolene. Thank you.

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Trang Le's avatar

You got me hooked on Sori Yanagi design. If it's something that you use frequently, I guess it's worth investing in something that works well and a beauty too.

It never occurs to me that garlic vinegar is a Hanoi touch as my dad (non-cook) makes it every week.

Very much looking forward to your Thai cookbook.

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Emily's avatar

Congratulations on the BAMCO honor, and thank you for sharing with us! Just think of all the people you’ve now reached with your delicious, healthful, and well written recipes.

I have two strainers/colanders that I use regularly. One is a smaller mesh one that I use to rinse rice or for other very small things. The other is a larger plastic one from the dollar store. Now that I think about it, I have a large “fancy” stainless one we registered for our wedding, but I use it so infrequently I’m not even sure what cabinet it’s in.

I look forward to reading the gift-linked articles soon. My parents are both in their 80s, and are some of the most active people I know! My dad still “runs”marathons, my mom goes to the gym every day. Besides their diets, I think it’s their whole lifestyle that keeps them so healthy.

I’m certainly looking forward to the new Thai cookbook. I might have more Thai cookbooks than any other cuisine, but I don’t see how I can pass this one up.

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Andrea Nguyen's avatar

I have a colander from my wedding too and don’t know if I still have it!

I recall your mentioning your dad running marathons. Inspiration. I dream of running but I’m a walker and yoga person.

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Emily's avatar

I’ve run very sporadically over the years, but I’m primarily a walker now. Thankfully Oside is perfect for that. With my job so physical (and after doing it for so many years) I’m not trying to wear myself out too much on my days off.

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Andrea Nguyen's avatar

Running would wear down your knees. Standing like you do at work is enough already. Walking is much gentler.

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Heather McRay's avatar

Love the Sori Yanagi colanders! I give them as gifts all the time - consider them one of the essential tools I have in my kitchen!

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Arlene Polangin's avatar

One that cleans easily .

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Andrea Nguyen's avatar

Definitely! It's hard to clean gummy noodles or pasta from the meshy kind of colander.

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