Throughout the past couple of years, I have found that there are certain kitchen tools and cookware that I CANNOT live without. Most recipes are still possible without them; however, they make life a whole lot easier.
#1: Staub Dutch Oven
Nothing comes between me and my dutch ovens, not even my amazing boyfriend. He knows he’s not allowed to wash or use them. I may be taking it too far, but these things are actual cooking superheroes. Dutch ovens can pretty much do anything. Whether you’re looking to make stews, fry food, make bread, you name it; it can do it all. They’re even oven-safe up to 500 degrees.
One thing that drives me a crazy about cast iron cookware is that you have to season it after every wash. With these ovens, that step is no longer necessary….point for Staub 👍
(Price: $300-$600 *however they’re usually on sale at Williams Sonoma)
#2. KitchenAid® Pro Line® Stand Mixer, 7-Qt.
Staub dutch ovens and this stand mixer are tied for my top favorites. You’d think a huge mixer like this would make an excessive amount of noise, but they’re almost silent. There are a variety of sizes and colors to fit your needs and style. They also come with a couple of different attachments if you need to whisk, turn dough, or beat.
What’s awesome about these is how easy they are to clean and they also have so many other attachments you can add on. Some of those include a pasta cutter, food grinder, scraper, sifter, scale, etc. Kind of reminds me of when I was younger and everyone had those hamster cages that you could buy unlimited pieces for and build some crazy utopia for your hamster that could literally care less…I digress…
(Price: $379-$629 *however they’re usually on sale at Williams Sonoma)
#3. All-Clad Gourmet Slow Cooker with All-in-One Browning, 7-Qt.
I didn’t make this blog to lie about who I am…I can be lazy…very lazy. This, right here, is the ultimate lazy, save my ass, and still make a bomb dinner vessel. Plug this baby in when you wake up, throw in your ingredients, set the time and heat setting, forget about it for the rest of the day and boom you have a fantastic meal ready just in time for dinner. Slow cookers are great investments; trust me.
(Price: $360 *On sale for $279.94)
#4. Lodge Cast Iron Gourmet Essentials Cookware Set
In the house we’re currently living in, I’m working with one oven and let me tell ya…it’s not the best situation for cooking. I’ve had to become efficient in planning out meals and trying to use the oven for only one course. However, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Having these cast iron skillets makes it really easy to throw in vegetables and get them nice and crispy in under 10 minutes so the other baked food doesn’t get cold. They’re also awesome for steaks and chicken!
(Price: $110, on sale for $99.95)
#5. Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Lemon Press
Last, but not least, a citrus press. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been strong or patient enough to try and squeeze all of the juice out of a lemon or lime. Even if you put in the effort, you still have to then take out all of the seeds in your freshly squeezed juice. This press eliminates all of that. It makes squeezing citrus easy and exceptionally quick! Also, it catches all of those pesky seeds!
(Price: $14)
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