A French press is one of the most user-friendly tools to have in your kitchen, perfect for making your morning coffee. However, it’s also a versatile tool that can be used to prepare a variety of recipes, replacing items like strainers or mixers. Here, we’ve compiled the 7 most interesting ways to use it and present them to you.
- Frothy Milk
If you want frothy milk easily and quickly at home, you can now make it with your French press. Fill the device up to one-third with warm milk and move the plunger up and down for 30 seconds. - Broth
Fill the press with aromatics like chopped ginger, garlic, chili pepper, onion, and any other herbs you like. Add hot water, stir, and pump the plunger a few more times. Let the mixture sit for 5-7 minutes, remove the lid, stir the whole mixture, then close the lid and press the plunger one final time. Season and use the broth as a base for soups, seafood, risotto, etc. - Infused Oil
Use the same technique as the broth to make infused oil. Add aromatics like garlic, herbs, and pepper, pour hot oil over them, and press the plunger. You can use the infused oil for pasta, meat, or even simple bread. - Tea
If you buy loose-leaf tea and don’t have a teapot with a filter, you can use your French press for it. All you need to do is place the tea leaves in the press, add water, and slowly lower the plunger. Let herbs steep for 5-7 minutes or white tea for 1-2 minutes. Most tea packages (even loose-leaf) indicate how long to steep them. - Strain Small Quantities of Food
The press is a great tool for straining small amounts of food or rinsing grains like quinoa. Place the quinoa in the press, separate the water, and then remove it. Repeat the process until the water runs clear. - Squeeze Excess Water from Vegetables
When making recipes like veggie burgers or pasta with finely chopped zucchini, you need to squeeze out excess moisture from the vegetables. An easy way to do this is by placing the vegetables in the French press, pressing firmly down, and turning the device so that any excess moisture drains through the spout. - Shake Up a Cocktail
If you don’t have a shaker and want to mix a cocktail, use the press. Simply pour in all the measured ingredients and pump the plunger up and down until the liquids are well-mixed. Pour the cocktail into a glass, and it’s ready.
