Happy New Year! Nine years ago, I started this blog as a way to hold myself accountable along the journey to accomplish my goal of learning how to cook. I cannot believe how far I’ve come in nearly a decade — I remember when I got my condo and the realtor told me how much I would enjoy using my luxury gas stove, I politely nodded while thinking about how I would never use it. It is now one of my most favorite things about my kitchen!
Cooking at home can be therapeutic and fun while rocking a good playlist in the background. It is also a great way to eat healthier and save money — two of the most common New Year’s resolutions. For those of you new to cooking, welcome!
Four years ago, I wrote this post recommending some kitchen essentials to help get you started. While I still use many of those items like the KitchenAid Mixer and baking sheets, I wanted to expand on the list with the kitchen products and gadgets that I now use most frequently. Kitchen tools and gadgets can be overwhelming and the price can add up quickly, so it is important to start with a good foundation. Here 5 kitchen products I highly recommend:
A Good Set of Nonstick Fry Pans: Zwilling Forte Nonstick Fry Pan Set
These fry pans are AMAZING! They truly are nonstick. You will love cooking with these especially if you like to make eggs for breakfast or cook with sauces and cheese. (No scrubbing or needing to soak before washing!) They are a little pricey, but you can sometimes get a good deal when Williams-Sonoma runs a 20 percent off promotion. Trust me when I say they are worth the expense.
Garlic Press
Once you begin cooking more frequently, you’ll notice that fresh garlic is included in several recipes and adds great flavor to dishes like chicken, beef, and pasta. I use my garlic press A LOT! It is so easy to use and it will save you time chopping tiny garlic cloves. Bonus points: it is easy to clean.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven
My dutch oven has been a go-to over the last few years for so many dishes like my Italian sausage white bean soup and pesto shrimp. It is very versatile since it is made of nonstick cast iron — you can use it both on the stove top and in the oven. I love that you can select vibrant colors like Caribbean that are so happy! Plus, you can add to your Le Creuset over time since they are pricey and still have all your pieces match!
Silicone Spatulas with a Metal or Plastic Handle
I use a silicone spatula at least once a day. I know it is hard to think about using them outside of baking, but they are great for cooking. They won’t scrape your nonstick pans and they have a wide face, which helps you handle a variety of ingredients. I highly recommend getting spatulas with metal or plastic handles because they are comfortable to use and you can put them in the dishwasher. I like these lovely spatulas from Williams-Sonoma that support St. Jude.
Composite Cutting Boards
Cutting boards are often overlooked. The trendy marble cutting boards are esthetically pleasing, but can dull your knives, and traditional woodblock boards are difficult to keep sanitary. I love these nonslip composite cutting boards that make chopping veggies and meats so easy. I actually have two because I use them so much — you can use one for meat and one for veggies, or have a backup in case one is in the dishwasher. Yes, you can put these in the dishwasher for easy and thorough cleaning!
I hope you enjoy my recommendations! What kitchen tools do you find yourself using in your cooking adventures?
