I’m always curious as to which kitchen tools are people’s favorites. I love hearing about fancy dehydrators and bread machines that people swear by and I contemplate adding them to my collection one day.
Though I have a few fancy gadgets myself, my favorite items are my wonderful basics. The items I believe everyone should have because I use them almost daily.
Here are my top 7 kitchen faves:
7. My Coffee Frother
Truth be told, I don’t know what this little guy is actually called. I got him forever ago at Ikea for probably $3, but he transformed my cup of morning (decaf) joe.
I didn’t add quite enough milk to show the full effect, but when I whip my cream and/or milk in the cup before adding the coffee, I end up with a cafe-worthy, frothy cup of coffee! And who doesn’t want to feel a little fancy in the morning?
6. My Non-stick Frittata Pan
My collection of pots and pans are stainless steel (and I LOVE them), but this one non-stick guy gets used a lot. It’s perfectly sized for my individual morning egg/eggs white combos and works wonders when I’m cooking up dinner for 1 (when Hubbs works late).
It has a second pan that locks in as a “top”, so you can flip it over for wonderful omelets, or shake up cut veggies without them flying out of the pan. The best part- it’s incredibly quick and easy to clean-up!
5. My Pizza Stone
It’s no secret (if you’ve ever read my blog) that Hubbs and I love pizza. We make it at home quite often. I love making the dough and letting it rise, topping it with delicious fresh veggies, but the secret to a great pizza? A crust that is soft on the inside and crunchy on the bottom. You just can’t get this effect without a pizza stone!
It doesn’t stop with pizza- pizza stones are also incredibly useful in baking bread, cookies, making bread crumbs, trying herbs, roasting garlic and more!
PS- please don’t judge my very, very dirty oven. I’ll clean it today. …maybe.
4. My Kitchen Aid Mixer
How unoriginal, right? I’ll admit, I got this for a wedding gift, fully intending to make cookies every once in a while, but I find myself pulling it out more and more everyday. The uses for it are endless and I’m beginning to realize why people swear by it.
It is an expensive staple, but if you enjoy cooking and baking at all, I think it’s a necessity.
3. One Good Knife
I was fortunate to receive a set of wonderful knives when Hubbs and I got married. They all get used, occasionally, but this one knife gets used multiple times each day.
I never believed the hype that a good knife makes all the difference, but I’ve changed my tune! It makes prep worth so much easier and more enjoyable. It’s definitely worth investing in one good knife.
2. My (growing) Collection of Jars
I used to store my leftovers in plastic Tupperware, but finally had heard enough of the dangers of plastic and decided to make a switch. Not only is storing food in jars safer, I think it looks pretty, too! Eventually I’ll buy the glass container “tupperware” I’ve seen, but until then, I’ll keep collecting my leftover pickle jars!
PS- I’m sorry, poor neglected wine glasses… just hang in there until September!
1. My (multiple) Sets of Bowls
These bowls are perfect for mixing, prepping, tossing and a million other kitchen activities. They may seem like an obvious need, but you’d be surprised how long I went without any good bowls (like… a couple years!). Now I have 3 sets of bowls like this, and they all get used often.
If you are looking to invest in some quality bowls, look for a rubber rim around the bottom. This set (from Williams-Sonoma) has the rubber and it’s incredibly handy for keeping the bowls from sliding around and spilling.
What are some of your favorite kitchen basics?
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I also want to thank The Charlotte Moms for welcoming me aboard with open arms. I am thrilled to be part of the team!
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Brooklyn @ Veggie Table says
Love a pizza stone and just made a mental note to invest in a coffee frother! Just checked out The Charlotte Moms website – CONGRATS!!! 🙂
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & SKinny Jeans says
Pizza stones are the best!
My other favorites are my blender (its not fancy but it does the job) and my good(ish) knives.
Brittney says
Haha, I have a frother too! They are cool! I also have the same Wustof Knife as you and LOVE that knife 🙂 I’d say another thing I use a lot is my toaster oven. It’s great for reheating certain leftovers when you don’t want to fire up the huge oven and want to crisp something instead of using the microwave.
Carly says
I would love a Kitchen Aid mixer! But…I need to save up for that one. I guess I can fix my whim and get the frother. 🙂 Fun post!
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
I really want a frother!
I would say my pizza stone is definitely by far one of my faves!
Kelli says
I agree with you about a good knife and the kitchen aid mixer. I also love…
microplane
good cutting board
garbage bowl
silpat
spoonulas
All great tools!
Jennifer B says
Being a busy mom I’m a HUGE crockpot fan, and I have a crockpot my mom gave to me forever ago that she had for a while so it’s this funny 70s looking thing but it works better than any of my newer ones.
Miss A and I made some candy yesterday (for a review) and my double boiler came in so handy, no putting in and out of the microwave so convenient!
The Charlotte Moms are lucky to have you 😉
Suzanne says
I was looking around my kitchen the other day and realized I am going to have to do some serious reshuffling when baby gets here because all of our shelves are full! Looks like it’s time to reorganize. Oh, and I am totally jealous of your kitchen!
Jane Preston says
My blender has to be my most used appliance….I use it everyday for my Smoothies. You are so correct about having a good set of knives!! Love your red bowls and mixer!!
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston says
Food processor, wooden spoon, pearing knife, pizza stone…. those are off the top of my head!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I am with you on the jars! But the one thing I cannot live without? No surprise….my food processor.
Sarah for Real says
I want a coffee frother! Mostly because it’s fun to say. Frother.
I have the same exact mixer in red too! I love it, but wish I had an appliance garage to keep it in. It sits on a shelf and I have to get my husband to pull it out so I don’t drop it on my head.
I also want to switch from plastic tupperwares to glass! Going to do it soon I think but I never considered the ball jars I have sitting unused in the basement. Great idea on the interim!
Rachel says
Haha, apparently you and I share a love for red kitchenaides and mixing bowls 🙂 I also have a red toaster and if I ever live in an apartment that doesn’t come with a microwave, I will buy the red microwave as well!
Karlee @olivewineandfood says
ahhh i want a frittata pan! and a nice blender. i don’t really have any nice kitchen tools come to think of it. one day!
Corey @ the Runner's Cookie says
I dream of having a kitchenaid someday!! (When I’m not a starving student 😉 ). I would also love to have a frother to be able to make lattes.
We make pizza about once a week or every other week, and the pizza stone is totally worth it – makes the crust SO much crispier!
Autumn @ Good Eats Girl says
I couldn’t live without my mixer! I love, love, love it!
Baking Serendipity says
A coffee frother?! Why have I never heard of this goodness? This would make my morning routine so much happier. Ikea this weekend is a definite plan.
Marie-Sophie says
I also collect glass jars!! My boyfriend thinks I am CRAZY for collecting them (“what do you need them for? You’ve already got some”) but I also love the safe storage!!