I aspire to be a minimalist, but so far that hasn’t played out in my kitchen yet. I have a lot of utensils and gadgets that I don’t use, but I keep them because of the idea that I might need them some day. Can’t you all relate? Well, if I shove those unused gadgets to the back of the drawer, that leaves room at the front for the stuff I do use all the time. I thought I’d share my favorites with you because I think these are actually worth the money. Working so extensively in the kitchen for many years, these are the products that I have found stand the test of time and are the most useful to me. Note: the products below are affiliate links, which means that if you click on any of the links and purchase the product, I receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. However, please note that I only recommend products that I myself own or enjoy, am excited about, and that I feel provide value to my readers.
EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale: I resisted getting a scale for a long time even though I knew it was essential for the gluten-free baker. I finally relented, however, when I went to write my cookbook. I knew it would be essential to getting precise measurements to make my recipes fool-proof. Although I give flour measurements in cups in my recipes, I also like to give weights in case a recipe doesn’t work out for someone. This gives them another option to troubleshoot. This particular scale I’ve had for years now. It just keeps on going, is easy to clean, and is simple to use. I highly recommend!
Oxo Good Grips Small Citrus Juicer: I love this little gadget! It has a built-in measuring cup and strains the pulp right out of the juice. It’s perfect for cocktails or measuring out fresh squeezed lemon or lime for a recipe.
Peugeot Pepper Mill: I have tried so many different pepper mills over the years and they all have either broken, come apart, or died (in the case of an electric one). Do I even want to mention the “pepper mill incident of 2009” in which peppercorns ended up even in the deep dark crevices of the kitchen? I finally decided to invest in a good pepper mill. The reviews of the Peugeout pepper mill were so good, I decided to try it. I’ve never looked back! They are a little spendy, but so worth it. I like really fine ground pepper and this mill does the perfect job. I have the chocolate-colored one (a very, very dark brown – almost black), which goes perfect in my kitchen with stainless steel appliances and black accents.
Grill Armor Oven Gloves: I have to tell you something: I am a klutz. Especially around the oven. I don’t know why, but the more careful I am, the klutzier I tend to be. Taking things in and out of the oven requires a lot of carefulness, so of course, I burn myself all the time. Knuckles and arms being the usual burn locations for me. That is until I got these gloves. I swear up and down, not a single burn since I started wearing these gloves. Now I can enjoy that cookie without having to hold ice on my knuckles. I have the white with red stripes, but the new dark gray ones would look good hanging next to my stainless steel appliances.
Oxo Good Grips Tongs: These are like an extension of my hand when I’m cooking. They are perfect for flipping chicken breasts, plating food, and tossing salads. I love how the heads are coated in nylon so they don’t scratch my pans. Locking and unlocking the tongs is a breeze too.
Silicon Pastry Brush: I’ve always had the standard wood and bristle brush and it did the job just fine, but they are really difficult to clean and can stain. The answer is a silicon brush. Works like a charm and cleans up so easily. This brand from Amazon looks a lot like the one I have.
Kuhn Rikon Whisks: Perfect for whisking eggs or salad dressings, these whisks are a must. I love the different sizes this brand comes in and the design. The handle is waterproof, so food and water can’t get in, turn all gross, and fall into the next recipe to be whisked. This is a problem I’ve had with other whisks. I also love how heavy and durable the whisk is. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe!
Hamilton Beach Food Processor: The bottom of this processor has suction cups. That’s how powerful, yet lightweight it is. And it works just as well as the much more expensive processor I had that kept breaking. I use it for shredding cheese or carrots, blending pesto sauce and chopping nuts, among many other uses.
Thank You!