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The Kitchen Items I Can't Live Without
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items Since I was a little kid I’ve always loved to cook. It’s where I unwind, experiment, and feed the people I love. These are the tools and gadgets that have earned permanent spot in my kitchen. They make prepping faster, cleanup easier, and the process...
Sections
5
Must Have Small Appliances
Cooking and Baking Central
Handy Utensils and Gadgets
Kitchen Clutter Control
My Drying Corner
Must Have Small Appliances
The appliances I've found to work well, and are a hundred percent worth buying. Oh, and they keep cooking fun.
So yeah, this Vitamix is a big upfront investment, but I have to say it completely lives up to all the hype. I use this blender for everything from smoothies to soup, and it saves me so much time. Not to mention, it's super easy to clean. *This is an...
Vitamix E320 Explorian Blender Black
I've been a coffee lover for years now. Ive had a variety of different types of machines, and this Nespresso has taken first place among them all. It prepare my coffee fast, which is a big deal first thing in the morning, and cleaning is uncomplicate...
Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee Maker
If you enjoy baking, this mixer is an indispensable item for your kitchen. I don't bake all the time, but when I want to, my dependable Kitchen Aid mixer never lets me down. It's so simple to operate, the attachments are easy to work with, and the re...
KitchenAid® Artisan Stand Mixer, 5 qt. in Contour Silver
Cooking and Baking Central
My list of the cookware items I consider essential for any kitchen. These pots and pans are well made, work well, and completely worth investing in.
These are by far the best non-stick skillets I've ever used. They're suitable for all cooking surfaces, including induction. I've had mine for years, so they're used frequently, and have held up extremely well. *This is an affiliate link*
Anolon Accolade Nonstick Frying Pans Set
This set of cookware is another one of the smartest purchases I've made. It's safe to use these with very high heat, and they're suitable for all types of cooktops. I've even put mine in the oven, and being dishwasher safe cleaning them is pretty muc...
Calphalon Classic 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
I use these mixing bowls for so many different tasks. From mixing batter for biscuits, pancakes, and cookies, to hold chopped veggies, just to name a few. *This is an affiliate link*
5pc Glass Mixing Bowls Set, Various Sizes
I don't use this roasting pan that often, but I consider it a must have. It's ideal for those times when I want to bake a whole chicken or turkey. It's deep enough for vegetables to cook underneath the meat, which is tremendously convenient. Due to t...
Calphalon Premier with MineralShield Nonstick 16" Roaster: Hard Anodized Aluminum, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, 2-Piece Set
This is the most used skillet in my kitchen. I'm not joking, I use it nearly every day. The larger size allows me to cook larger quantities of food at time, and I even prepare pancakes and French toast in this pan. Like all Cuisinart's products, it's...
Cuisinart Greengourmet 12" Hard Anodized Skillet
Every kitchen should have at least one of these square baking pans. I use mine for baking meatloaf or brownies, but it can be used for cakes too. I've even used it to make rice krispy treats. The non-stick surface makes for super simple and easy clea...
Cuisinart 9-Inch Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware Square Cake Pan, Silver
Handy Utensils and Gadgets
I’m a big fan of kitchen gadgets, and these are the ones I’ve found to be super handy, actually work, and make cooking a lot easier.
These are by far the best the best set of knives I've ever used, and definitely worth the larger up front investment. They're sturdy, lightweight, and easy to wash. The handles are ergonomic, which makes them so much better for my hands when I'm chop...
Global Hashira 5-Piece Knife Block Set
You have to keep those knives sharp and ready for action at all times, and this two sided sharpening stone makes that incredibly easy to do. Can't recommend it enough. *This is an affiliate link*
Messermeister 1000/3000 Sharpening Stone
Ever try turning fish with a traditional spatula? I have. It doesn't go well. Why? Because most of the time, the fish breaks apart. However, the design of this spatula keeps that from happening. *This is an affiliate link*
Sur La Table Stainless Steel Fish Turner
A baster is one of those gadgets that I only use several times of year, but when I need it, I need it. Specifically when I roast chickens or turkeys. This one from Sur La Table is definitely worth the price. Why? Because it works, and it's able to be... Affiliate Link
OXO Angled Turkey Baster
I never thought I'd use this silicone spatula as much as I do, but it's become one of the tools I grab almost daily. It makes folding and mixing thick batter of any kind much easier. Best of all, the ergonomic design of this spatula puts much less st...
Sur La Table Flex-Core Silicone Spatula with Stainless Steel Handle
This scraper has proven to be an invaluable tool. I chop vegetables often, and this tool really helps moving them to another container. I also use it to tidy up my cutting board or prep area. It's made of silicone so it can be put in the dishwasher w...
Sur la table Silicone Dough Scraper
This is one of the most unique kitchen gadgets I own. I mean this thing scoops, drains right from a hot pot, all while it balances on the side of pot. It really comes in handy when I want to scoop individual servings of pasta or veggies. *This is an ...
Joseph Joseph Scoop Colander Strainer Spoon
If you do any baking or roasting at all, you know you want your food cooked to the accurate temperature. I used to worry so much about whether my chickens and burgers were done, but now I can easily get a reliable temp. Honestly, wish I'd bought this...
Digital Meat Thermometer
We eat lots of salads in my house, and we don't want soggy lettuce. So, my salad spinner is one of the most used tools in my kitchen. If you're still prepping your greens any other way, you've got to get one and make prepping salads a breeze. *This i...
OXO Salad Spinner
Who hasn't had the experience of trying, without success, to open a jar of something? This nifty jar opening tool solves this problem. It works very well, and it isn't just for seniors either. I bought mine while in my 30s. *This is an affiliate link...
Jar Opener for Seniors, Easy Grip & Arthritis
These are the absolute best. No more searching my kitchen drawers for measuring spoons since I got this set of magnetic ones. *This is an affiliate link*
Cuisinart 6 Piece Magnetic Metal Measuring Spoons
If you cook fish on a regular basis, you know removing the bones and scales is not easy. Seriously, I dreaded cooking fish until I found this set of bone tweezers. Now, instead of spending 15-20 minutes trying find and withdraw tiny fish bones, I can...
4-Piece Fish Bone Tweezers & Tongs Set
These bamboo spoons are amazing! I've had my set for years, and they've held so well. I use them whenever I cook soups, oatmeal, chili, marinara, and so much more. Best of all, unlike other wood spoons, these can soak in water without being ruined. Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without mine. *This is an affiliate link*
Pampered Chef Bamboo Spoon Set,
Kitchen Clutter Control
My go-to favorites for that help keep my pantry and cabinets in order.
These pantry organizers are ideal for all those small items, that usually end up lost in the back of the cabinet. They're also perfect for keeping smaller containers upright, if you have wire shelving in your pantry. *This is an affiliate link*
iDesign Linus Packet Organizer
Is there any area that gets junky faster than under the kitchen sink? These under counter organizers are easy to put together, and have kept all my supplies in order. A big selling point for me was the bottom shelf that slides out. I like them so muc...
Under Sink Organize With Sliding Drawers, 2 pack
I’m all about keeping my drawers tidy, and this cutlery organizer makes it so easy to keep everything in its place and simple to find whatever I need. *This is an affiliate link*
Deep Bamboo Silverware Tray
My Drying Corner
These are the items I use to give my dishes a cute little spot to air dry while helping keep the kitchen neat, and makes cleanup quick and easy.
I don't wash loads of dishes by hand, but when I do, I want them to dry fast. So, I was super excited when I found this absorbent dish drying mat. Water literally, soaks right into this thing. No more damp dishcloths on the counter and things air dry...
Ecotrim Dish Drying Mat 18x32 Black
I want the majority of my counter space free for meal prep, and this compact drying rack exactly what I was looking for. It's also sturdy and allows everything to drain and dry in so much less time. *This is an affiliate link*
OXO Good Grips Dish Rack
I received one of these cloth drying mats as a gift, and didn't think I would really use it that often. Boy was I wrong! I wash all of my fruit and veggies, and this mat is perfect for allowing them to air dry. Best of all, I can toss it in the washi...
All-Clad Reversible Drying Mat