My Top 10 Kitchen Favorites

Many of us love browsing through the isles of kitchen stores like Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table for hours. Kitchen gadgets and tools are just so much fun (they really are!). I guess it’s the same with men and their electronics? I spend quite a lot of time in the kitchen, because we don’t eat out as much as we did in the East Coast. I would say that 6 out of 7 days a week we cook together a farm-to-table meal (thanks to our year-round farmers market!) because we both know our way in the kitchen quite ok.

Here’s my top 10 favorite kitchen tools and gadgets:

Vitamix

Since becoming a green smoothie addict years ago I blended my drinks with $20 blender from Pathmark. It served me for years although I did have to keep it running for a while to get smooth consistency. When hubs got me the Vitamix for my birthday the whole smoothie game changed. I love this blender and totally think it’s worth the price.

Microplane

Freshly grated ginger and garlic on your stir-fry? How about that lemon zest in your salad? Pretty chocolate garnish on your pie or latte? Fiery chile or pepper kick for your pico de gallo (instead of biting on that big piece of hot chili)? This is also great when you want to add just a touch of spice like cinnamon, nutmeg or anise.

Bee’s Wrap

No more cling wrap (nor aluminum foil)! Those two are terrible for the environment and your health. Wrap a sandwich, vegan cheese, produce or cover a bowl. Use the warmth of your hands to form Bee’s Wrap over the top of a bowl, half a lemon, or a piece of cheese. The wrap will hold its shape when it cools, creating a seal. Wash with cool water and gentle soap, dry and reuse.

Food processor

I use the food processor mainly for sauces and dressings, un-tuna salads, hummus,  and occasionally for raw cakes. It’s easier to scrape than the Vitamix. Ours is a hand-me-down from the 80’s but it still works well.

Mortar & Pestle

We use it for fresh and dried herbs mainly (cilantro is our fave!) and pesto sometimes.

Glass Tupperware Containers

When we moved to California I got rid of all our plastic food storage containers and bought a set of glass ones. These can also be used to bake and freeze so they’re just multi-functional masterpieces.

Straws

I never even thought about the environmental impact of these single use tubes, but since I use them most of the time because my teeth are sensitive to cold, I upgraded my plastic straws to stainless steel ones. I’m also considering getting these glass straws, because this is a really good deal!

Ceramic pan

I do not use non-stick, so stainless steel and cast iron have been my go-to pans. But especially stainless steel can get pain in the butt everything sticking to it if it has not been seasoned in a while. I attended a Meetup here in Alameda where we gathered together at the host’s little apartment and cooked a meal together. For dessert we had crepes and when she pulled out her ceramic pan and made the crepes without any oil or butter whatsoever, I was sold. I bought a mini ceramic pan just a few weeks ago and now exclusively use it. I also don’t use microwave so it is super fast and easy to warm up any leftovers in this pan. Love it!

Bamboo Plates and Bowls

I just love them because they’re light and don’t break when I drop them (happens often). We have regular plates as well as bowls.

Spiralizer

This is on my wishlist. Maybe Santa will bring me a Spiralizer this year? I love the idea of replacing wheat pasta with veggie-made pasta. I’m thinking of spiralized potatoes, sweet potatoes, radish, cucumber, jicama, rutabaga, parsnip and carrot salads, zucchini and butternut squash noodles. For dessert I would spiralize apples and pears lightly toasting them on a pan with a little coconut oil and cinnamon, maybe a tiny bit of maple syrup. Top with granola. Voila.

Any favorites of yours on this list? What would you add?