My Kitchen "Must Haves"
Cooking Gadgets
1. Cast Iron Pan: I indisputably use this more than I use any of my nice pans we received when we got married. They are super affordable and make the best sear on a steak or any other meat. I also bake crumbles and other dessert in them as well. My favorite part of my cast iron pan is how evenly it cooks everything.
2. Plastic Cutting Boards: These babies are my EVERYTHING!!! Don't waste your money on high dollar wooden cutting boards. Spend anywhere from $9.00-$20.00 on a package of plastic, pliable boards.
3. Ceramic Knife: I went to purchase a new knife this summer and couldn't bring myself to pay well over $100.00 for a "good" knife. I mean WHAT!!!! These little babies are normally $25.00 or less and are super sharp. Hands down a great purchase and decision if you ask me.
4. Le Creuset Stoneware: Ok, I already have lost a couple people with this one. You are thinking I'm bat-you know what-crazy to pay this amount for one baking dish. Ladies and gentleman this will literally change the way you make soups, stews, etc. My mom just got her first Le Creuset dutch oven last week, and was amazed how evenly it cooked. This is a game changer, expensive, but a game changer.
5. Kitchen Aid Mixer: While I'm making y'all hyperventilate I might as well throw this baby in too. I am a HUGE baker so I use mine a lot. If you aren't a large baker then I'm not certain how often you would actually use it to be honest. There are attachments for making pasta, grounding your own meat, etc. I have those attachments and don't use them nearly enough to purchase this for just those reasons. This is an investment and you have to go into it knowing you would use it, otherwise you don't need something this expensive collecting dust on your counter top.
6. Infrared Fryers: This isn't something I use all the time, but during the holidays it defiantly gets put to work. A lot of people like fried turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and lets be honest it isn't the safest way to cook a bird. This allows you to fry a bird without submerging it in oil. You simply rub oil on the outside of the turkey, chicken, etc and place it in the infrared fryer. It takes about 10 minutes per pound while frying and you don't have to worry about the frying hazards; not to mention it is healthier too!
7. Appetizer/Snack Bowls: Whether it's the holidays or just everyday I use these frequently. During the holidays set them out to keep people from over doing it before dinner; quantity and quality control with snacks. When Tanner is gone for games I also find myself putting mixed nuts, or popcorn in them to snack on. Again a good way to portion out snacks and not overdue it.
8. Non Breakable Plates/Glassware: No I don't have kids but I'm around plenty of family and friends that do. To make them feel special I bought some fun, nice looking plastic plates and cups. It makes the kids feel like adults but keeps your mind at ease knowing they can't break anything . Non breakable wine glass aren't a bad idea either, for the adults that is.
9. Baking Pans: Nice baking pans are irreplaceable. I have 9x9, 9x13, loaf pans, muffin pan, etc. I finally broke down and bought the heavy duty ones from William Sonoma and it was the best purchase I made last Christmas. They are still just as good one year later after purchasing them. Personally this is a suck it up and by the nice item once kind of thing vs buying the same item over and over because it costs less but wears out.
10. Last but not least....Wilton Armetale: I did this instead of fine china when we got married. You can dress these platters up or dress them down. I use them for backyard BBQs, nice parties, and holiday hosting. The only down side is they are NOT dishwasher safe. You have to wash them by hand. But on the plus side you can put them on the grill, and in the oven without any worries.
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