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39 Comments
Carol E.
July 2, 2019
Cooking is one thing. But sometimes you can't cook it if you can't get the bloody packing open. (Lookin' at you, Trader Joe's) So though it's sorta boring, the kitchen tool I would have starved to death without is my trusty pair of kitchen shears. Plus they open little screw-tops: wine, vinegar, maple syrup. They snip chives & other herbs. Trim fat off meat. Then come apart to wash. Not very expensive at Targé & worth their weight in truffles.
Anonymous
December 8, 2016
"Gadgets" makes these items sound entirely superfluous. I prefer to call them "tools" and every endeavor requires the right tools! Yes, some get used more than others, and I do own quite a few - but I love them and use them constantly. One of my newest favorites that is always in use is my Avocado Keeper. I rarely use an entire avocado, and the Evriholder Avo Saver Avocado means I don't have to mess with plastic wrap and less browning, too. I love my Oxo Omelet Spatula as I make omelets with every leftover veggie imaginable, a couple times a week. I love and use my William Bounds Nutmeg mill. I love my Roselle Garlic Press, and my Swissmar Stainless Steel Pepper Funnel keeps the peppercorns from bouncing all over the floor when I refill my pepper mill. Hey, most of us love to cook on this site, right? Are these in the same ball park as my Le Crueset Dutch oven, Kitchen Aid Mixer, Wustoff knives, or Cuisinart? Of course not. But these TOOLS make my life easier, the job done better, and adds to my joy! They have made great stocking stuffers along the way, too!
Karen P.
March 26, 2012
Ah, I so agree cdilaura. You nailed it on the head. A day doesn't go by that I don't use my microplane either!!!! It's great for Parmesan cheese too. I have 2 sizes also. The larger whole one is quite evil if your not super-duper careful though. I have taken off a hunk of skin more than once.
Also it is an affordable piece of equipment I might add. Wash it by hand, keep it in its cover when not being used and it will last a very long time. I've had mine for 2 to 3 years and its still SHARP!!
Also it is an affordable piece of equipment I might add. Wash it by hand, keep it in its cover when not being used and it will last a very long time. I've had mine for 2 to 3 years and its still SHARP!!
TheWimpyVegetarian
March 26, 2012
Immersion blender! Mostly because I love soup, so I use it ALL the time.
Karen P.
March 26, 2012
I must agree with you also ChezSuzanne!! I have had one for years, but alas I am ashamed to admit it was in a drawer and forgotten. I rediscovered it recently and it also is one of my favorite tools now.
TheWimpyVegetarian
March 26, 2012
I had a similar experience! and now i use it constantly it seems. soooo much easier than the food processor!
Burnt O.
March 29, 2012
Agree 150%. I use that thing DAILY for smoothies, soups, and with the mini prep bowl - garlic, herbs, salad dressings, marinades, you name it. Most used hand held appliance I own.
thurston
March 26, 2012
krups coffee/spice grinder! makes short work of prepping dry rubs, spice blends, even small amounts of parmesan cheese. and i'd have to agree with the salad spinner nod. given the amount of amazing greens i get from my local csa, the salad spinner gets spun numerous times a week!
Patrisha
March 25, 2012
It has to be my trusty ole' mortar & pestle...keeps me grounded and there is nothing like grinding your own seeds & herbs.
LucyS
March 25, 2012
They call it a Cuisinart 'smart stick' - it attaches to a mini bowl-shaped blender, whisk, and blending stick. I use it all. the. time. And it works really smoothly. Perfect for small kitcheners.
sfmiller
March 27, 2012
I have one of these, too, and love it. I didn't think I'd use the mini-food-processor attachment much, but I ended up using it more than I do my 11-cup FP. It's great for chopping small quantities nuts or other things you don't want to reduce to a paste and for making a cup or so of salsa, pesto, etc. And much easier to clean than a full-sized FP.
midnitechef
March 25, 2012
Cheese, lots of cheese.
Milk for coffee and the kids (I don't drink it much, maybe with a warm cookie)
butter
fruit
peanut butter
honey
seasonal veggies
yogurt
Milk for coffee and the kids (I don't drink it much, maybe with a warm cookie)
butter
fruit
peanut butter
honey
seasonal veggies
yogurt
mward
March 25, 2012
My favorite is my Kyocera adjustible mandoline slicer. I've never been able to get my OXO mandolin to work properly, but this inexpensive tool allows you to slice 4 different thicknesses. It's especially great for salad vegetables like cucumber, fennel, radishes, carrots, etc., but also for vegetable soups and slicing onions.
pierino
March 25, 2012
Another KitchenAid user here, and I own two. I had to make two cheese cakes this week and today I'll be using the grinder attachment for sausage. Runner up would be the KitchenAid mid-sized food processor which I use all the time for smaller jobs.
But I wouldn't mind owning those snail tongs mentioned in the Times article. I sometimes go to antinque stores in search of old kitchen tools. But last time I walked out with a 60's Underwood typewriter instead.
But I wouldn't mind owning those snail tongs mentioned in the Times article. I sometimes go to antinque stores in search of old kitchen tools. But last time I walked out with a 60's Underwood typewriter instead.
sunday L.
March 25, 2012
I have a cheese slicer that some guy from Sweden gave me on a date about 20 years ago. I haven't seen him since, but the slicer is still going strong. It slices cheese like a dream, but can also be put to use as a chocolate curler, pie server, and spatula, among other things.
slothrop
March 25, 2012
OK, in addition to the KitchenAid that I rhapsodized about, a simple gadget that I just used today, and which my kids just love to watch (for the 3 seconds it takes) is my pineapple corer. So quick and easy!
Another gadget that I bought on a whim, as it was on sale for next to nothing, was a bean frencher. I figured I might use it on occasion, but now I rarely make green beans without using it.
Another gadget that I bought on a whim, as it was on sale for next to nothing, was a bean frencher. I figured I might use it on occasion, but now I rarely make green beans without using it.
Louisa
March 25, 2012
My flat whisk. I didn't even know it existed until someone gave me one last year. I use it constantly--so great for sauces and anytime you need to stir into the corners of your pot.
Second is bench scraper.
Second is bench scraper.
BavarianCook
March 24, 2012
I'm with calendar girl: my egg slicer. I use that thing every day! I eat toast with a perfectly sliced hardboiled egg every day for lunch at work. So good! The egg slicer gives me just the perfect amount of slices and in the right thickness.
Jennifer A.
March 24, 2012
A no frills pressure cooker changed my life. It puts so many long-cooking favorites (beans, legumes, brown rice . . .) within reach any night of the week.
SKK
March 24, 2012
mrslarkin - I checked out the Slap Chop Rap - love it! "Slap your troubles away" My current favorite is my kitchen scale. I way everything. So much more satisfying than weighing myself.
Panfusine
March 24, 2012
My table top stone grinder (its a teensy portable version of a chocolate concher), Absolutely indispensable for making batter for Indian Dosa & Idlis
slothrop
March 24, 2012
So many of the things people have already mention are on my list, but I think I'd have to go with my KitchenAid mixer+attachments. I have an older meat grinder attachment (the blade on the current one is crap), and I use that all of the time. Of course, the pasta rollers make pasta making a breeze. And the fruit and vegetable grinder/strainer thing, though a bit messy, is way easier than using a food mill to separate tomato seeds/skin from the juice, to make a smooth tomato sauce.
calendargirl
March 23, 2012
Love my hard boiled egg slicer -- a heavy stainless steel jobbie. I don't use it more than half a dozen times a year, but it's oh so satisfying to get all those pretty slices with one smooth drop of the guillotine.
cookingProf
March 23, 2012
A 35-year-old Moulinex chopper/grinder that I cannot bear the thought of losing. I was so afraid of not being able to find replacement parts for it that I bought any and all spare parts that I ran into in yard sales over the years. I now have two motor bases and multiple blades for it. I think I am set for life.
Panfusine
March 24, 2012
OMG, Moulinex, thats a familiar name, My mom was totally hooked on them. I wish they were still around!
mrslarkin
March 23, 2012
Forgot to mention, the antique store that hosts my farmers market is Antiques and Tools of Business and Kitchen. It is old kitchen gadget heaven. I could spend hours in there.
mrslarkin
March 23, 2012
Oh my gosh, i have so many of the above mentioned! I'm a sucker for unusual kitchen tools and find them at antique stores, tag sales, Good Will and such. Some favorites are the K-Tel Blitzhacker (a food chopper with a super sharp blade) and the Slicky (Japanese sesame grinder). And I admit to owning the Magic Bullet and the Slap Chop. Don't judge me.
mrslarkin
March 23, 2012
It's a cheapo mini blender-type thingy. The infomercial is soooooo convincing. "Make salsa in 10 seconds flat!"
P.S. Has anyone seen the Slap Chop Rap? It's hysterical. http://youtu.be/UWRyj5cHIQA
P.S. Has anyone seen the Slap Chop Rap? It's hysterical. http://youtu.be/UWRyj5cHIQA
Panfusine
March 24, 2012
I was soo tempted to get one of those magic bullets, until I saw it in action. Sent me right back into the arms (blades) of my Rosle hand operated chopper (the kind where you pull on the cord to operate). I so love that gadget. It spin dries herbs, whips & chops on biceps power!
cdilaura
March 23, 2012
It wouldn't be a complete day in my kitchen without the use of my microplane zester. Lemon, lime, orange, garlic, ginger, my knuckles -- you name it, I grate it.
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