For Perfectly Tempered Eggs, Break Out A Long-Forgotten Thanksgiving Tool

If you've ever tempered eggs, you've likely messed up the process a time or two. When done incorrectly, it can result in undesirable curdling or scrambling that can dramatically alter, if not ruin many dishes. But the key to stress-free, perfectly tempered eggs is likely sitting in your kitchen — even if you may only break it out once a year. 

The humble turkey baster is your secret weapon here. According to Lifehacker, the heat-resistant, single-hand tool is an ideal way to accurately deliver hot liquids into eggs. The process could hardly be more straightforward — fill your turkey baster with hot liquid (typically dairy). Then squeeze it into your bowl of eggs as you quickly whisk them to create a mixture. This will allow the liquid to distribute evenly. This simple process makes it easy to create the luscious, silky liquid needed for custards and puddings, mousses, soufflés, and a huge selection of other tasty dishes.

Using the turkey baster helps eliminate nearly all of the common hazards of traditional tempering. It lessens the risk of adding the liquid too quickly, which creates an undesirable texture. After all, tempering your eggs is supposed to prevent clumping as it allows them to adjust to heat gradually before being added to a larger boiling mixture. Using a turkey baster also reduces the chance of spilling scalding liquid, which can not only ruin your dish but leave you with severe burns. Plus, turkey basters are easy to clean, either through the same sucking mechanism used for tempering and basting or by taking the bulb off for deep scrubbing.

While you likely have one crammed in a kitchen drawer gathering dust between Thanksgiving celebrations, those who don't own a baster won't have to shell out much. Plentiful options are available under $10. They're available at most big-box and home goods stores, as well as many supermarkets. Plus, it gives cooks a good reason to keep their baster around since experts recommend you stop basting your turkey anyway.