So in order to avoid these situations and keep it simple...
Here is my list of the top 10 tools I use in my kitchen almost every day.
1. Hard cheese shredder (Oxo)
One of the many things my dad taught me was the importance of fresh parmesan. Instead of buying parmesan in a can (I'm not sure how they can still call it parmesan) opt for buying fresh blocks of it. If you are a Costco member you can get a great deal on it. You need a great cheese shredder for hard cheeses. I have had multiple shredders and nothing is better than the Oxo brand!
2. Non-stick tongs (Williams Sonoma)
We received these tongs as a wedding gift and could not be happier with them. I use them when flipping meat over, tossing salad, and serving food. They are extremely functional and helpful; I love that they are non-stick so I don't have to worry about ruining my non-stick pans and the work just as well with regular pans. Kenny always says that we need to go buy 2 or 3 more of them just in case... That's how much we use them.
3. No-slip cutting board (Martha Stewart @ Macy's)
Everyone needs a great cutting board in their kitchen. This cutting board is wonderful because it has a ribbed side that keeps it from slipping while you cut. It is also made out plastic opposed to a wood, like bamboo. That makes it more functional when cutting meats, veggies, or herbs. I am hesitant to cut meat on a wood cutting board. This one is a heavy weight and large enough to cut and place your food on it.
4. Splatter screen (Oxo)
This tool may seem unnecessary but if you ever use a skillet it's not! It's great for keeping your kitchen area clean. Kenny and I had a friend make us dinner (I promise I appreciated it) but left our kitchen with a film of grease all over the counters, walls, and even the photos on my memory board! It was nasty. Sadly this houseguest (who will go unnamed) opted not to use the splatter screen. Its purpose is to keep the grease, oil, and juices in the pan but allows the food to cook like it was not covered with anything.
5. Gallon size plastic baggies
The use of a plastic baggie is not only to store food, they have many wonderful functions. I cannot take credit for this one; it's another trick my dad taught me. When I make sweet potato fries or want to marinate food I use a gallon size baggie. This way you can toss all of the food and coat it evenly. It cleans up easily and is inexpensive. I also use them like piping bags when filling deviled eggs or icing cup cakes. By snipping of one corner it works just like a piping bag. You can even put the piping tips into the baggie if you want a fancier look. This is one of the many great products I get at Costco and I never run out.
6. Assorted sharp knives (Kitchen Aid)
A good set of knives is essential in your kitchen. There is nothing more frustrating to me than attempting to prepare food with dull, (and for lack of a better word) crappy, knives. I purchased my block of knives from Target for around $80 and do not regret any penny! The key is to sharpen them or get them sharpened when you notice they are getting dull. The block of knives I bought came with a sharpening tool that Kenny loves to use. Nice knives make preparing food much easier and (dare I say it?) fun. One tip... In order to take care of them you should hand wash them opposed to putting them in the dish washer. Otherwise don't bother getting them at all. :)
7. Nonstick slotted spoon (Williams Sonoma)
This is the most amazing spoon! If I could only have one... This is it. Look at the tip of the spoon; there is an angle at the top that allows you to get into the creases and corners of the pan. Also, I prefer non-stick because in the heat of the moment while cooking its easy to use the wrong spoon and ruin a pan (Am I right, Mom?) By using non-stick I know I wont ruin any pan. You just need to make sure to keep it away from the burner. :)
8. Nonstick spatula (Martha Stewart @ Macy's)
This is the one time I did not prefer an Oxo brand (gasp!)
We have two Oxo spatulas and they are way too flimsy to get anything flipped off of a pan. That drove me crazy! So I was on a mission to find a sturdy spatula. After lots of searching I found this spatula; it's sturdy, inexpensive, and easy to use.
9. Nonstick sauce brush
I am a big fan of olive oil but when making toasts or prepping meat I always seemed to pour too much on (BTW 1 tablespoon of olive oil is around 130 calories... Yikes!). By pouring the oil or marinade into a small glass bowl (my next kitchen tool) and using the sauce brush I have much more control over how much I use and where it should be applied. Score for controlling caloric intake!
10. Assorted glass bowls (Williams Sonoma)
This was another wonderful registry gift (Thanks, Ryan!) that we use daily. The set comes with 9 bowls ranging from about 1/8 of a cup to one large enough to marinate meat or make a salad. Kenny uses them when making specific spice blends. I like using them when prepping food so the cooking process is much easier and fun! They are dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
Hope you found this beneficial! I will be on the lookout for more new ideas for my blog.
Thanks for reading,
Libby
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