My 11 Kitchen Essentials: The Tools and Gadgets I Use Weekly in the Kitchen
HELLO FRIENDS! Hope you’re having a great week so far! I have been loving this warmer spring weather, and absolutely can’t wait for summer in just a few more weeks!
With this list, I wanted to conjure up my most frequently used items in the kitchen. There are other items that we have in our kitchen that are great, and not on this list, but that’s probably because I don’t use them at least once a week. Anything that is on this list are items we use AT LEAST, if not several times, a week.
I also felt like this list would be a great place for brides-to-be to start for their wedding registries. I was so intimidated by the registry process, especially when it came to finding great kitchen items. I referred to my friends registries, cookbooks, and my moms own tools while we were registering. I think this list is a great place to start for basic pieces, that are of HIGH QUALITY and will last, something that is essential for kitchen tools you’re going to use for years to come.
I hope you save this list, refer to it, and send it to friends! I wished I had something like this when we got married, or when we moved into our first house! Comment below any other items you use on a weekly basis that you might think would be helpful for others to learn as well! Of course, the items on this list are by no means the ONLY products that make up a great kitchen. They are just the products I know and love.
Vitamix: I had to start this list with my prized jewel, my Vitamix. I actually have two Vitamix’s, and gave one to my mom for Christmas, that is how obsessed I am with them. There are certainly other high-speed blenders on the market, but I think Vitamix comes in at the top. They do come with a hefty price tag, but I promise it’ll change your life. There are so many Vitamix models out there. If I can recommend one thing: buy one with variable as well as high and low speed. You want to be able to control the speed of the device easily. I’ve linked a few below.
Le Creuset Skillet: Yale and I registered for this gorgeous white skillet, and I am sooo happy we received it. I use this for shakshuka, pancakes, chicken, turkey burgers, at least once a week. Plus, it is SO GORGEOUS and looks fabulous on our cooktop. Again, slightly pricier, but this will last you a lifetime if you care for it properly.
Wusthof Knives: The knives you invest in certainly don’t need to be by Wusthof, these just happened to be the ones I registered for after extensive knife research while we were registering. If you’re shopping for knives, I recommend going to the store and holding the knives in your hand. It is a personal decision because every knife feels different in the hand and you want something sturdy and comfortable. Nothing worse than a knife that feels like its digging into your palm while you’re cutting up a raw sweet potato.
Garlic Press: This may seem like a totally random item, but it has changed my life. I HATE CHOPPING GARLIC, it is messy, makes your hands smell and just takes too long. I live for efficiency, and the garlic press is where it’s at. The one we personally have is cheap, but I’ll be buying the one I linked here next.
Cuisinart Food Processor: I received this food processor from my grandmother for Christmas several years ago (a sign of becoming an adult: asking for a food processor for Christmas….yikes.). I use this thing ALL. THE. TIME. And even more now that I started using it to chop kale for my salads. It’s great for making homemade nut butters, grating cheese, blitzing walnuts for a raw dessert, and so much more. I love the Cuisinart, but you could certainly find another brand that suits your needs. I’d go for a 12-14 cup processor, to ensure you have enough blending room!
Staub Petite French Oven: This may seem like a really random item to some of you, but it has changed my life. It is great for us since it is small, takes up hardly any room, and feels like the perfect size for a home with two people. I use it to cook beans, reheat soup, heat sauces, and much more. Plus, it looks adorable next to my matching Staub Tea Kettle. We have the gray color in both.
Coffee Grinder: A coffee grinder probably sounds like a totally random thing to call essential, but I love our basic and simple grinder. They can obviously be used for coffee beans, but also blitz spices in a second, adding delicious fresh flavor to your dishes.
Wooden Cutting Board: A few years ago I purchased a thick beautiful custom cutting board in Vermont. It lives on our kitchen counter, and is perfect to have out all the time for cutting veggies, fruit, etc. We have about 5 cutting boards, but I like to keep a big thick wooden one on out all the time.
Microplane: A microplane is one of those things that you don’t think you need, until you have one. I use ours to zest lemons and grate garlic. It is a great tool to have in the kitchen, and is one I use frequently.
