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Chef Penny's Kitchen

Purple Star emoji 19 items
I'm the first to admit that I know nothing about cooking and cuisine, but I am lucky enough to be married to a chef. All the items in this list are Chef Penny approved.
Sections
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Kitchen Appliances

Appliances big and small to make your cooking experience easier

 
John & Penny Watson profile picture
When I first started dating my wife, she was in culinary school and had this appliance on her wish list. It took me some time to find one that I could afford, but 10 years later she is still using that mixer on a regular basis.
KitchenAid Deluxe Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Stainless Bowl, Contour Silver, KSM97CU - Walmart.com
 
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We tend to buy meat in bulk, as my chef wife has access to Restaurant Depot. This vacuum sealer has been an absolute lifesaver. Zero freezer burn issues, even when that random bag of chicken ends up at the bottom of the chest freezer for a year. Grea...
Food Vacuum Sealer Machine with 2 Rolls Food Vacuum Sealer Bags, Food Storage Saver Dry & Moist Food Modes, Led Indicator Lights, Easy to Clean, Compact Design
 
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We have limited counter space in our condo, so we love to find appliances that can do more than one thing without taking up a ton of room. This multi-purpose air fryer checks all the boxes.
Chefman 6-in-1 Multifunctional Air Fryer Oven w/ 12 Qt Capacity, Digital Touchscreen - Black

Kitchen Tools

Cooking made easy with essential kitchen tools

 
John & Penny Watson profile picture
Chef Penny has a rather alarming knife collection, which is why I am always on my best behavior. She rarely brings out the good knives, which is why we have a standard block set for the kitchen. We both love black, so this set called out to both of u...
Astercook Kitchen Knife Set, 14 Pcs Knives Block Set with Built-in Sharpener, Healthy Anti-Rust Coating & German Stainless Steel Knife Set, Dishwasher Safe Black - Walmart.com
 
John & Penny Watson profile picture
I was always of the belief that cast iron pans were a thing of the past, but my wife swears by them, and she is right. We started out with a small set like this one, and are now slowly building out our collection. Make sure you get oven mitts or a co...
Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet – Small Vintage Frying Pan for Eggs, Steak & More | Natural Non-Stick, No Chemical Coating | Oven & Stovetop Safe
 
John & Penny Watson profile picture
While Chef Penny is all about cast iron cookware. she also knows that it takes work to maintain it. With that in mind, she believes Magnaware Cast Aluminum to be a great alternative. Looks great and should last a lifetime.
Magnaware Cast Aluminum 2 Quart Sauce Pan with Lid - Quality Cast Aluminum Pot with Even Heat Distribution and Retention
 
John & Penny Watson profile picture
The beauty of these bowls is that they are easy to clean and come in different sizes for all your mixing needs. The lids add a a splash of color, but also make the bowls great for storing leftovers.
Mixing Bowls with Lids Set of 5, Vesteel Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Metal Nesting Salad Bowls, Size 4.5, 3, 1.5, 1, 0.7 QT Great for Cooking, Baking, Serving - Multi-Color - Walmart.com
 
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Carbon steel is both durable and easy to clean, while the dual handles makes working with this wok easy. Chef Penny likes both the design and the size of this one.
Tasty Carbon Steel Non-Stick Stir Fry Pan/Wok, 14 inch, Red
 
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The only set you will need for all your baking needs. A truly durable, non-stick set that will have you throwing together baked goods as well as Chef Penny does.
LIMICAR 6-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set, Carbon Steel Stackable Baking Set for Kitchen, Easy Clean Baking Pan Set for Lasagna Brownie Cookie - Walmart.com

Kitchen Essentials

Simple kitchen accessories to make life easier

 
John & Penny Watson profile picture
Since I am something of a man child, Chef Penny likes to prep meals for me when she hits the road in her role as a regional chef. We use these containers a lot for prep, as well as for leftovers. Easy to store and even easier to clean.
Meal Prep Containers, 50 Packs Plastic Food Storage Containers with Lids, 32oz Bento Box Reusable, To Go Containers Disposable, BPA Free
 
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We love our vacuum sealer and use it a ton, which means we go through a lot of bags. The good news is that one roll goes a long way, as long as I am not the one operating the appliance. These bags are high quality and great value.
Vacuum Sealer Bags, 11" x 20',8" x 20' Combo Vacuum Sealer Rolls Bag for Storage, Food Saver Bags, 6 Rolls
 
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Turning a bland dish into something special is often as simple as adding the perfect touch of flavor. Chef Penny loves the form and function of this set, which includes all the spices you will need to get started with creating tasty meals.
16 Jar Ellington Revolving Countertop Spice Rack with Lift & Pour Caps and Spices Included, FREE Spice Refills for 5 Years: Black and Chrome
 
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Chef Penny has a pricier option in our home but she also believes that this set is perfect for those who don't want to spend a fortune on spices yet still produce delicious food.
Olde Thompson Spice Rack Set, 17 piece
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Cookbooks

Chef Penny is always looking for inspiration, and these are the books she recommends. She has tried to embrace all tastes and dietary needs.

 
John & Penny Watson profile picture
100 tasty meals, all high in protein and easy to prepare. Perfect for putting together a healthy, flavorful meal without a ton of fuss.
Skinnytaste High Protein: 100 Healthy, Simple Recipes to Fuel Your Day: A Cookbook|Hardcover
 
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Every great meal ends with the perfect dessert. There are recipes in here that are made for everyone from baking novices to master chefs.
Sally's Baking 101: Foolproof Recipes from Easy to Advanced|Hardcover
 
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We all love comfort food, and the Pioneer Woman is great at delivering some tasty meals that the whole family will love.
The Pioneer Woman Cooks-The Essential Recipes: 120 Greatest Hits, New Twists, and Perfected Classics|Hardcover
 
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We love this idea. Family members sharing recipes passed down from loved ones. Maybe a little dark, but certainly cool.
To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes|Hardcover
 
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Bread goes great with every meal, but not everyone can eat it. The recipes in this book are perfect for those with gluten intolerance.
The Art of Gluten-Free Bread: Groundbreaking Recipes for Artisanal Breads and Pastries|Hardcover
 
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Delicious recipes that are easy to follow, while also being easy on your budget. We all need that nowadays.
Of Course It's Good!: Aggressively Delicious Meals ANYONE Can Make and EVERYONE Will Love|Hardcover