To avoid making this the longest post ever (I already have that covered) I'm going to try and use brevity. A few things: These items are the exact items I have. There are so many different models out there, but I can only vouch for these. There might be better kinds—I have no idea. I love these tools. Love them to death. They are an unexpected love. I wouldn't have thought they would become so important when we first met. The typical life improving gadets like a Kitchen Aid mixer, Cuisinart, coffee grinder—all that, I have not included in this round up.
First up, the apple peeler
slicer. Peels, cuts, and slices apples for pie and crisp in the wink of an eye. Just make sure the apples are fresh and firm. Outstanding. The pineapple cutter. Yeah. I LOVE this goofy thing. I use it so much one might be worried about my pineapple consumption. I have almost sliced my hand off cutting pineapple. Never again. And last here, the butter pot, so I can keep fresh butter on the counter all the time. I have already mentioned these items in other posts, so you know how much they mean to me.
Whip cream whipper. Again, this has already been blogged about. Dangerous love. I probably should not admit how much this gets used. The hand blender is the only way I blend soups and sauces. We haven't had a normal blender in 5 years. And the salad spinner. Some people don't have salad spinners. I didn't a long time ago—just a lot of wet towels. I don't know what I was thinking.
Tongs. Wow. How did I ever live without these? I use them for everything. The superb zester is for lemon/lime/orange zest and grating nutmeg and ginger. Parchment paper—the only way I don't swear when I bake.
Cast iron grill/griddle and grill press. The grill press is for making panini. The griddle stays on the stove top at all times, which I have mentioned before. I have to say no to teflon (we lost a lovebird to teflon smoke poisoning years ago, have I mentioned this before?) and since I can't find a panini press in the world that doesn't have a non-stick/teflon coating, this combo is wicked phat. And last in this row, the mandoline, which has increased my our veggie consumption 10-fold. It's the crazy thin slices that do it.
Cookie dough scoop.I get a lot of compliments on my baking, which is rad, but it's not me, it's my tools. I mean it. I feel like a cookie making robot when I use this scoop, which is thrilling. A mesh drain!! Seriously, my favorite on this page. Am I insane? Well, yes, after years of fighting with my drain because it always plugged when I wanted it to let water pass though. My life has been greatly improved by a little mesh drain thingy for under 5 bucks. And, lastly, my beloved, kick-bootie turner. I can get any cookie/pancake off with this, no matter how thin, stubborn, or delicate. I can't live without it.
Okay, surely there will be a second round, (including our little pepper grinder!) but this is it so far. Please share your favorite kitchen gadgets! I get a ridiculous amount of joy from of tools that make life easier and/or more pleasing.
