For years (which seemed like an eternity) I “got by” with hand-me-down kitchen appliances and utensils when I first ventured out on my own. Considering the amount of time I spend in the kitchen, you can about imagine how often I complained about my pot with the broken handle, the splintered wooden spoon or the rusty can opener. I’m appreciative, but let’s just say there is no nostalgia when I peel a potato with the same peeler I can remember my mom using when I was a little kid. No love for the 25+ year old potato peeler, sorry.
Between a bridal shower and wedding, I got absolutely spoiled. Our loved ones turned me into a pampered chef in a matter of a few months. I was in heaven with all my shiny new pans, gadgets, and oh! the appliances that didn’t smoke when you used them for more than 30 seconds. Le swoon.
I never thought there would be such a day that an OXO red brownie spatula would make me the happiest girl on earth. And yet, here I am.
So without further adieu, I give you the 10 {affordable} things in my kitchen that make cooking stress-free. I’ve included links so you can purchase them for yourself or as a gift, sparing your arm and leg (you’ll need those for the gas station, anyway).
1. Cast iron skillet. If for no other reason than to have a heartier breakfast, buy a cast iron skillet.
2. Dutch oven. I use this thing for almost every meal: from browning hamburger to slow cooking a roast…these things have been cooking vessels for hundreds of years and have proved themselves in terms of efficiency and awesomeness time and again.
3. Food scale. You know those recipes that call for 11 oz of shredded chicken? Yeah, this is why this exists. You will use it more than you think.
4. OXO Triple Timer. No more burnt food!! This thing was AWESOME when I was cooking Christmas dinner…
5. Leave-in meat thermometer. Your grill-master-meat-‘n-potato-loving husband will love you.
6. Silpats. Reusable parchment paper. ‘Nuff said. Just be careful. Knives cut right through these puppies.
7. Brownie spatula. Make sure you get it in red. It’s just so cute, I can’t even handle it.
8. 10-piece glass nesting bowls. Life simplified. You will LOVE these.
9. Rubbermaid food storage containers. This might be the Viper Pilot’s favorite gift from our wedding. They stack nicely and you can even snap the lids together so they don’t spew everywhere. He loves them so much that we had to go out and buy another set. Let’s just reminisce on the old days of mismatched food storage containers, shall we? Opening this cupboard was his worst nightmare.
10. TWO sets each of ACCURATE measuring spoons and measuring cups (dry and liquid). I know there are bunch of adorable measuring cups and spoons out there, but perplexing as it may be, they are often inaccurate and this can make more of a difference than you might think. Measuring your measuring spoons for accuracy is not something you typically think to do, you always just assume they are properly calibrated. This set has been tested and recommended by Cook’s Illustrated 3 different times.
11. (bonus “thing” because today is actually the 11th) A good knife set. Break open that piggy bank and splurge on a set of nice knives. You won’t regret it.
PROST!
DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored or endorsed in any way. Thank you Amazon.com, Crate & Barrel, OXO, et al. for your incredible service and products!
Past “10 things” posts:
February 10 things : non-lovey dovey Valentine’s Day gifts
January 10+2 things : Memories from 2012
December 10 things : I love about being a pilot’s wife.
November 10 things : I’ll always remember about our wedding
October 10 things : I love about our house
Tamera says
New knives and a silpat are on my list. I'm not a gadgety cook, but I like to have the right tools!