While cooking this week, I couldn’t find my favorite vegetable peeler. I have another in the back of the drawer, but I wanted my favorite. Sure enough it was just mislaid in a different place in the kitchen. The moment of disappointment made me realize there are certain things I just can’t cook without. So as a special treat, here is a glimpse inside my kitchen with a list of utensils and doo-hickeys I love.
Ours was our very first wedding gift and it truly is an everyday pan because that’s how often we use it. From browning meat or making sauce to making grilled cheese, this pan doesn’t get much rest in our kitchen:
Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Special-Value 10-Inch Everyday Pan with Glass Lid
I bought a set of these in pistachio green before moving to Ireland. Easy to pack and so practical for saving drawer space:
Chef’n SleekStore Collapsible Cup Set, Multicolored
Forgetfulness and clumsiness tend to happen when I’m most frazzled so I prettymuch wear these non-stop when I am running around with hot pots and pans. I don’t have this exact pair, mine is down to just a solo elbow-length mitt and a hot pad with a pocket for my hand, but it has kept me burn free for while now:
Flame Retardant Quilted Oven Mitts Commercial Grade (2-Pack)
I adore my enamelware colander (mine’s pink):
Danesco 9-Inch Enamel Colander with Base, Cherry
We have three of these so we can make multiple pizzas, chicken bites, or garlic bread:
Farberware Bakeware 13-Inch Pizza Crisper
Mine is a round version of this by Pyrex that I bought just after moving to Ireland for €4 at Dunnes because they were discontinuing their tinted Pyrex line (it is tinted pale pale blue). The flat-bottomed dish doubles as a pan for roasting chicken parts or vegetables while the bowl part doubles as a mixing bowl, popcorn server, and tagine-like lid for low-roast dishes:
Simax 8 Quart Super Dome Roaster with Dome Lid
– Also available from Amazon.co.uk
Classic, useful, dishwasher safe:
Oxo Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk
These came home with me because they looked fun, but they stuck around because they are practical:
KitchenArt Cook’s Pro Measuring Spoon Set, Champagne Satin
These get used for everything from turning meat in the pan to picking up hot items to plate:
Oxo Good Grips 9-Inch Locking Tongs with Nylon Heads
Chopping mats are very useful at our place because we try to not only protect our countertops, but also our knives. We have four large flexible mats, two small flexible ones, and one small hard one that work to help us keep things diced to perfection:
Norpro Cut-N-Slice Flexible Cutting Boards, Set of 3
Bradshaw International 33111 Mini Chopping Mat (Pack of 4)
I just upgraded from my wood rolling pin to this one and it’s a dream! Smooth rolling motion with good balance and minimal friction resistance. Easier to clean too:
Fiesta Products Traditional Rubber Handles Sil-pin Silicone Rolling Pin, Red
Fabulous for brewing tea with loose leaves and completely dishwasher safe:
Bodum Assam 4-Cup Tea Press Teapot
Wonderful for baking cookies:
Silpat Baking Sheet – 11.63×16.5″
I barely remember the days I used to mix everything by hand – I was probably in better shape then:
Hamilton Beach 62695V Power Deluxe Hand Mixer
Oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, frost-safe, and great for making desserts, serving salsa/dip, or just separating ingredients:
Pyrex Bakeware 10-Ounce Custard Cups, Set of 4
Well, those are a few of my kitchen essentials. There are, of course, a few more, but this list is enough for now. Maybe you have your favorites, I’d love to hear about them!
Evin
