If you already have one of these, you know why they are an essential for every kitchen and can skip this post.

If you don’t have a fish spatula, a.k.a. slotted offset spatula, you need to get one for your kitchen.  I’m 60 years old now and didn’t have one until about 10 years ago, after I happened across it by chance in a specialty store that must have had every single gadget one would ever want for cooking.  Rarely liking to leave such a neat store without purchasing at least one thing — the effort it must have taken the shop owner to compile all of this demanded a show of appreciation — even if it was nothing expensive.  When I happened upon the “fish spatula” I thought yes, I cook fish once in awhile, and having something that can turn it without tearing it up would be nice to have.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that the other spatulas sit and gather dust since this beauty entered my home.

I don’t cook heavy meat that needs to be fried and/or pressed.  This would probably not be the appropriate utensil for such tasks.  Anything else it is absolutely perfect.  Flipping fish (goes without saying, per the name), pancakes, stir fry, eggs (no more broken yolks).  The thinness of the metal with the bend halfway down was designed by a culinary genius.

They don’t cost a fortune either.  I googled and found some out there for $30 or more.  Say what!?!?  The cost of the one pictured above was listed at $2.  Mine was maybe $10 ten years ago and has a metal handle.  Just make sure the flipper part is thin and it has that bend in it and you are all set.