I suppose I could live without these kitchen gadgets - but I wouldn't want to! Time and again, these are the things I reach for when I'm working in the kitchen:
Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
This was a wedding gift from my grandma. Not only is it gorgeous, it's a workhorse. I use it for all of my baking, including cookies, cakes, yeast breads, and pretzels. I use it for whipping cream, mashing potatoes, and mixing ground meats. I probably wouldn't bother baking without it.
Cuisinart Mini-Prep
Any time I need to puree something, which is often, this is my gadget! Never lets me down. I'm looking forward to upgrading to a bigger model one of these days.
Onion Goggles
I am terribly allergic to cutting onions. My eyes swell shut. When I was in college I worked in a burger joint and I was excused from slicing the onions because I couldn't function for at least an hour afterward. I would not be able to enjoy cooking without my onion goggles. In fact, it wasn't until I purchased these goggles four years ago that I began to enjoy cooking - and I use onions in nearly EVERY dish!
Garlic Press
I use garlic nearly as often as I use onions. The garlic press saves me lots of time. Afterward I rinse it off and set it in the dish drainer - no need to give it a thorough wash.
Multi-Chopper
I scored this when my grandma was randomly passing out gifts last Christmas. I would never have bought it for myself because I would have worried that I'd never use it. I use it almost every day. It's great for chopping or slicing onions and it makes quick work of slicing bell peppers in bulk to prepare them for freezing. It, too, gets a quick rinse rather than a thorough washing, and it is usually sitting in my dish drainer because it rarely makes it back into the cupboard before I'm using it again.
Bamboo Cutting Boards
In my effort to switch out all of the plastic in my kitchen, I replaced my cutting boards with bamboo. They need a little more care and can't be put through the dishwasher even if you wanted to, but I don't mind. Disinfect them every week or so with some vinegar solution and you're good to go! I keep a marble slab that my husband bought in Italy for cutting meat.
Knife Set
A good set of knives goes without saying, but I had to put it on my list because I'm constantly using knives. Sometimes my knife block is nearly empty by the time I'm done cooking a meal because I use each different one for different tasks. My favorite? The tomato/bagel knife.
8 Cup Pyrex Mixing Bowl
I think I bought this in college, and it's the only mixing bowl I use - unless I need a mixing bowl and I'm already using this one! It's nothing fancy, but it's the perfect size and shape for everything. I love that it has a lid, too, so I can stick it in the fridge if I need to.
Pampered Chef Classic Scraper
My very favorite rubber scraper. I only have one of these in a sea of cheap ones, and I reach for it every time! I covet more of these.
Pyrex Glass Storage Bowls
We have quite the assortment of these in our kitchen - every shape and size! I started buying them a year or two ago when I was in the process of switching out all of the plastic in our kitchen. These are fabulous. The lids fit on really tightly and they're great for freezing sauces, liquids, rice, or fruits and veggies. They can be used in the microwave. My husband takes leftovers to work in them. The one cup bowls are perfect for mixing spices or serving kids snacks in. We no longer use plastic storage containers.
