Just a few years in the past, I obtained a care bundle from the mother of one among my shut buddies. Inside, there was a wood stick that regarded like a dowel. I instantly turned to Google and typed in one thing alongside the traces of “tall wood kitchen cooking stick.” My search quickly revealed that this “kitchen stick” was referred to as a spurtle.

What Is a Spurtle?

Spurtles are a conventional Scottish cooking utensil primarily used for stirring porridge. There are two essential sorts of spurtles. The one I obtained was an authentic Scottish spurtle—a slender, tapered wood rod with a flat backside. The highest is carved into the form of a thistle, which is the nationwide flower of Scotland. Then there are flat spurtles. They’re broader and flatter—nearly like a cross between a wood spoon and a spatula. Spurtles are easy however useful. They can be utilized for mixing, lifting, turning, scraping, and smashing. 

They Are Nonetheless Utilized in Scotland 

Spurtles have been part of Scottish breakfast tradition since they have been invented within the fifteenth century, and so they’re nonetheless a staple to today. Yearly in Scotland, the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Competitors takes place. Contestants prepare dinner no less than two pints of porridge and are judged primarily based on elements like coloration, consistency, style, and cleanliness through the cooking course of. Every competitor has half-hour to arrange each a conventional and specialty porridge for the prospect of being topped World Porridge Making Champion and receiving the Golden Spurtle. 

The Fashionable Spurtle Revolution 

From 1968 to 1972, British cooking character Graham Kerr hosted a well-liked tv cooking present referred to as The Galloping Connoisseur. Kerr was a spurtle evangelist. Nevertheless, the spurtle that Kerr popularized on his TV present was totally different from the traditional Scottish spurtle. It regarded like a wood spoon-and-spatula hybrid. Kerr didn’t simply use his spurtle for stirring porridge however put it to work in recipes like Rice Krispies treats. He even partnered with Kellogg, which provided free spurtles to clients as a part of a promotion. 

It wasn’t lengthy earlier than Individuals adopted Graham’s model of the spurtle. Lucinda Scala Quinn, who spent over a decade as the manager meals director for Martha Stewart Dwelling, was an avid spurtle supporter. On Quinn’s  Hallmark Channel TV present Mad Hungry, she repeatedly put the highlight on spurtles for every part from mixing collectively tuna salad to stirring cake batter. Quinn even launched a well-liked assortment of spurtles, that are nonetheless out there to today. 

What Can You Use a Spurtle For?

As Quinn stated in one of many commercials for her spurtle, “consider the spurtle as 10 instruments in 1.” 

Not like wood spoons, spurtles are slender with flat, straight edges, which allow you to succeed in each crevice of a pan. Their slenderness helps to simply break up clumping—therefore why spurtles are perfect for porridge or oatmeal, but additionally crushing complete canned tomatoes for tomato sauce. They’ve much less floor space than a wood spoon, so they’re extra nimble for stirring. You need to use them for folding delicate desserts like mousse or bringing collectively Rice Krispies treats.

Spurtles are additionally similar to turning sticks, a sort of cooking utensil utilized in Nigeria and different African international locations when making swallows, that are boiled starchy root greens which can be pounded till they turn out to be gentle and elastic, like fufu and pounded yam. That is my favourite manner to make use of my spurtle, however I’m positive you’ll discover your personal. 

FAQs 

Is a spurtle higher than a spoon?

Spurtles should not essentially higher than spoons, however many issues a spoon can do it’s probably a spurtle may also do, and typically the spurtle does it higher. For instance, spurtles are higher for stirring thick stews whereas cooking as a result of they will attain the crevices of the pot and be certain that every part is completely stirred collectively, although they’re not greatest for scooping and ladling meals.

Are spurtles dishwasher-safe?

Like different wood utensils, you don’t need to put spurtles within the dishwasher. The extreme warmth and moisture within the dishwasher will trigger the wooden of your spurtle to separate, crack, and probably break. 

Why We’re the Specialists

• Nicole Rufus is a meals author, recipe developer, meals stylist, and residential prepare dinner. 
• She has examined and developed a whole bunch of recipes. 
• Spurtles have been a part of her kitchen repertoire for 3 years now, and he or she has used them in a wide range of methods.