Weekly Extras: If I could buy only 7 Kitchen Gadgets for the rest of my life
Here is what I would pick. . .
Welcome back to Weekly Extras! Each week I share recipes (mine or others), inspiring pieces or brands I have come across, and what I am reading or wearing. I offer my thoughts on each and include links to relevant pieces, places, products, and more. Past columns have featured artists and creators that Dare to be Different and elements in my life that I find are Good for the Soul.
After all these years, I would be remiss not to share my essential kitchen gadgets with you. There is an overwhelming amount of tools available, but rest assured I fall into the camp of believing you do not need to own anything unnecessary (I’m talking to you salad spinners and yolk separators). Our drawers and cabinets can only handle so much.
I have written the following under the assumption that you currently own the basics: a good chef’s knife, solid sheet pans, quality stainless pans, mixing bowls, and liquid measuring cups to name a few. The following are my ride or die, the best tools to assist (like a workhorse food processor that will last a decade), an upgraded version of a staple (like a good wood spatula, since I better not hear you own any of those toxic plastic ones), and something more niche but no less useful (like an automatic soap dispenser), it is a wide variety of pieces I use every time I am in the kitchen.
1. QUALITY WOODEN COOKING TOOLS
You may have seen me write about Jonathan’s Spoons before with the a similar sentiment: they are amazing and everyone should know about and own them. My mom has had hers for over 15 years and myself almost 10, and they are still in tip-top shape and have worn beautifully. We both aren’t even close to needing a replacement.
The wood is ultra-soft, pleasant to the touch and easy to clean, which is something I cannot say for the other wooden utensils in my arsenal which have remained rough with use. The slight curvature of the of cherrywood handle is why these are so comfortable to work with. I own their spatula (both sizes) and pasta fork (both pictured above) and have their wooden spoon heading my way.
2. OVE GLOVES
While there isn’t anything particularly sexy about Ove Gloves, their function and durability are enough to toss out the oven mitts and replace with these. Each time I don them, I receive a surprised reaction from my friends, followed by “what are you wearing?”. Considering I gravitate towards well-designed beautiful products, these do feel out of the box, it’s a fair question. And yes, I do lean towards beauty however, desipite any immediate swooning, the product most also be highly functional and good quality in ordered to added to my kitchen. I wouldn’t recommend anything less. With that being said, Ove Glove could maybe add some jewel tone colors to their offering? Maybe a tone on tone situation? Okay moving on. . .
These gloves allow for full dexterity than a traditional mitt block the heat exceptionally. While a dish towel could be used, like you see chefs use on TV, I have found this method unsuccessful and wound up with a few too many wrist burns to comfortably take it on full-time. Ove Glove wins, always.
3. AUTOMATIC SOAP DISPENSER
This rechargeable automatic soap dispenser by simplehuman falls into the category of “one you’ve experienced it, you can’t go back”. It can be used for hand or dish soap, I use it for the latter only because of the vain reason that I have a pretty hand soap bottle I enjoy displaying on the counter.
I have always found the motion of adding more soap to your sponge amid washing dishes to be a hassle. Your hands are wet and slippery, and when you grab the bottle and it slips and, without fail, creates a lovely puddle on the counter. With this beauty, there is none that. When more soap is needed, simply position your sponge under the sensor and watch the soap drizzle down. It is as close to a robot as I’ll get in my house. While this is certainly a luxury item, it is highly functional and blissful.
4. SALT CELLAR
If you are salting your food as you cook, as you should, then this beauty of a salt cellar should be right by your side. The pivoting lid with a magnetic latch is easy to open and close with one hand and keeps the salt fresh and dry. While I love the idea of having a beautiful open one like this, I am far too stressed that something that shouldn’t will fall into it and spoil the batch.
This also makes a wonderful gift, paired with a box of Maldon or Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, your friends will thank you. It looks beautiful on the counter and is something they will get a lot of use out of. Beauty and function - it doesn’t get much better than that.
5. MICROPLANE
In writing this newsletter, I uncovered a fascinating history about this mighty tool. It was originally developed to be a smoothing tool for woodworkers, but in 1994 the Microplane turned into the indispensable grating tool for cooks today. As the story goes, a Canadian homemaker, using a Microplane rasp for her orange cake recipe, found it effortlessly zested the citrus, the zest falling off like "snowflakes", which led to the idea of applying this tool to use in the kitchen.
Its razor-sharp blades effortlessly zest citrus, grate hard cheeses, and finely process garlic, ginger, and spices. It is a versatile, must-have, there-is-nothing-like-it tool that won’t break the bank.
6. DELI CONTAINERS
I used to be a Tupperware only gal, but in the last few years I transitioned to these deli containers. Not only did it miraculously clean up my container drawer, they are dishwasher safe and I find myself using less ziploc bags with the smallest size in the kit. Thank you for making a little more eco-conscious. I am leaving the best part for last, there is only one lid size. I store them in three nice stacks in a tall drawer with a small bin of lids beside them. The war of finding what lid goes with which bottom is officially declared over.
7. FOOD PROCESSOR
I am hoping, by now, if you are a home cook, I am sure you have one of these guys in your cupboard. If you don’t and are looking for a reason to hit that ‘purchase’ button, then this is it (but wait until they go on sale during a major holiday or check your local Costco, that is where I purchased mine). If you are too excited and don’t want to wait, I would fall into this category, then this is the beauty I have.
This guy was a game changer for how I work in the kitchen. I make a lot of pestos, puree veggies into a dip (such as hummus) or a sauces (butternut squash sauce pasta, anyone). It’s instant gratification and a workhorse that gets the job done in seconds.