Ask any home cook, and they all probably have a handful of kitchen products they use all the time. And, then, there are other products in their kitchen which are collecting dust in the cabinets. Well, I’m here to talk about the products that I use on an almost daily basis. The products that I used once and fell in love with and can no longer imagine my life without. Take note that my roasting pan with its roasting rack is not included in the bunch. It’s currently in the collecting dust category but I will use it one day, I promise!
OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Pastry Scraper/Chopper. While I absolutely use this device for cutting pastry and chopping, I more often use it to transfer bits of chopped veggies into a pan or pot. I used to do this with my hands or with my knife which inevitably would lead to me dropping cut veggies all over the counter and stove. No longer! My hubby actually bought it for me after seeing on TV that it was a must have kitchen tool. Props to the hubby.
Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater. I bought a zester after listening to Michael Symon exclaim its virtues on The Chew, and, now, I zest everything. I use it for lemons and limes. I use it for garlic and ginger. I use it to grate cheese. I mean, I barely even look at my cheese grater anymore. Sorry grater, you didn’t make the list. If I wasn’t so enamored with my newly pastry scraper, this would be my number one.
John Boos 5 Ounce Block Board Cream with Beeswax (1). After the wedding, with our wedding gift cards, I convinced Alasdair that we needed to splurge on one of those big, durable cutting boards. You know, the ones that are a bi-otch to pick up because they are so heavy but are amazingly stable. Of course, now that I have this nice cutting board, I have to take care of it. The salesperson at the store recommended this board cream because (a) it’s great for the board and (b) it’s moisturizing for your hands. It’s a 2 in 1! And, as much as I’m washing my hands in the kitchen, I need some moisture like you wouldn’t believe.
Cuisinart CSB-75BC Smart Stick 2-Speed Immersion Hand Blender, Brushed Chrome. This is not my exact immersion blender – that was a present from my mom and I don’t know where she got it. But this looks like an even better version of what I have, which means I would love it double. I heart my food processor/blender but it’s a pain to lug out from under the counter and wash and then put away. So, whenever I can, I choose my immersion hand blender. Soup? Nine times out of time, I use the handheld. Sauces? Same thing. It’s so cute and little and easy, I can’t help but love it.
EasyLunchboxes “Mini-Dippers” Small Dip and Sauce Containers, Leak-Resistant, Set of 8. I love tupperware. LOVE IT. This goes above and beyond. I remember the days I would have to lug a whole jar of hummus to work when all I needed was two tablespoons. Now, I can bring the little containers. Did I mention I walk 1.5 miles to work? Smaller = better.
Rachael Ray Oven Lovin’ Non-Stick 24-Cup Mini Muffin Pan, Orange. Here’s the thing about a mini muffin pan. You can make so much more than just mini muffins. Seriously, I use this muffin pan for everything from hash brown cups to mini quiches to mini tarts to mini cupcakes to actual mini muffins. It’s pretty stellar.
Wilton 2105-459 Excelle Elite 3-Tier Cooling Rack. I never thought I would be the kind of person who would use a cooling rack. I thought cooling racks were for 1950s housewives who made pies – I rarely make pies. But I actually use my rack all the time. Basically, anything that comes out of the oven can be cooled on the rack. Especially cookies. Cookies need cooling rack time.
Dreamfarm Scizza 12-Inch Pizza Scissors, Red. PIZZA SCISSORS. Need I say more? Ok, I’ll say a little more. I registered for these scissors for our wedding because our pizza cutter disappeared, and I’ve never looked back. These do such a better job than the pizza cutter ever did. And, you can use them for more than just pizza. Oh, and they’re just fun because they are scissors that cut pizza!
Lodge Pro-Logic P14P3 Cast Iron Pizza Pan, Black, 14-inch. Speaking of pizza, this is a great pizza stone. It gets the crust all nice and crispy, and it’s cast iron so cleanup is a breeze – just a little wipe and rinse. One word of warning, it is heavy. But I just consider the weight to be my workout which negates the pizza I eat. That’s sound logic, right?
Rubbermaid RM-HSP2 Folding 2-Step Lightweight Steel Frame Stool with Hand Grip and Plastic Steps. Ok, I get that a step ladder is not really a kitchen tool. Except, in my kitchen, it totally is. I’m short and we have tall cabinets, therefore, I cannot function without a step ladder. Step ladder = crucial.
