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Guest Picks: Versatile Kitchen Tools Worth Buying
Forget the one-hit wonders. These 28 handy cooking tools are worth investing in
With her down-to-earth approach to food, and a dash or two of snark, Liza enjoys eating, reading, cooking, dining and writing on a daily basis. By day, she's an insurance professional, by night she gracefully (or not sometimes) barrels through life keeping up with her blog (a)Musing Foodie, other freelance writing jobs, non-profit work, Twitter and Facebook, her kids, her husband, and whatever else happens to fill her plate. Read her blog here: http://www.aMusingFoodie.com
With her down-to-earth approach to food, and a dash or two of snark, Liza... More »
Alton Brown is one of my all-time favorite Food Network personalities, and his pronounced hatred of "one-trick" kitchen gadgets has stuck with me for 10 years. I agree that (with the exception of a few things) having an endless assortment of kitchen tools that are only good for one specific task is, well, no good. Here are my favorite must-have kitchen tools worth buying.
— Liza from (a)Musing Foodie
— Liza from (a)Musing Foodie
by KitchenAid
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KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Artisan Series Stand Mixer, Empire Red - $299.99 »
If you don't own a KitchenAid mixer, find a way to get one. Even the most basic model helps with a boatload of tasks in the kitchen. It's worth every penny.
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Chicago Metallic Large Spoonula - $5.50 »
If you've never used a large spoonula for making scrambled eggs, you're totally missing out. Best. Invention. Ever. They have tons of other great uses too; they're very versatile.
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Chicago Metallic Measuring Cups - $9.50 »
There's nothing more important than good measuring cups, and these will last forever!
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Chicago Metallic Measuring Spoons - $4.50 »
A good set of metal measuring spoons makes life easy. I keep mine hanging on my magnetic knife rack, so they're always within easy reach.
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Calphalon Wooden Utensils - $4.99 »
Wooden spoons are a cook's best friend. My absolute favorite must-have for any stove top cooking is the flat-edged spoon, but all the others are super useful too.
by Crate&Barrel
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End Grain Chopping Board - $36.95 »
There's something so oddly satisfying about chopping, mincing and slicing veggies on a wooden cutting board. Save your plastic board for meats.
by Crate&Barrel
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Wüsthof® Ikon 5" Hollow Ground Santoku Knife - $99.95 »
Love her or not, Rachel Ray made these Santoku knives a staple for many home chefs (myself included) a few years back. If you don't have one, it's time to buy one. I have both the 5" and a 7" knives, and I love them.
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Classic Series Pro Custom 11 Food Processor, White - $199.95 »
A food processor may not be used often enough to keep out on the counter, but it's useful enough to keep on hand — even if it's home is under the counter. I have one salsa recipe that is nearly impossible without one; it makes such a difference.
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Artisan Bar Blender, Onyx Black - $99.95 »
Use it for making sauces, blending drinks, crushing ice — it's a very versatile must-have!
by Williams-Sonoma
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Piazza Ice Cream Scoop - $26.00 »
Trigger ice cream scoops in a variety of sizes can be your best friends for everything from scooping ice cream to making meatballs to filling cupcake tins.
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Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater - $12.95 »
I use my Microplane all the time — mostly for zesting citrus, but also for things like Parmesan cheese. Just make sure to tap it gently when done so that all the zesty goodness comes out from behind.
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Pyrex 8-cup Measuring Cup with Lid »
An 8-cup measuring cup, a batter bowl — call it what you want. Having a clear bowl with cup measurements is a dream. I use mine every weekend for pancake batter, and the top is an added bonus.
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OXO Good Grips Box Grater - $17.99 »
The only thing better than a box grater is a box grater with a built-in storage container.
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Demarle Silpat Nonstick Baking Mat - $9.95 »
"Is a silicone baking mat really worth it?" someone on Twitter asked me recently. The answer? Yes. It makes tons of baking tasks a breeze.
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Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Shears, Black - $29.99 »
I use kitchen shears for lots and lots of things, but my favorite use is for meat — especially raw chicken. Leave the knives at home; a pair of good, sharp kitchen shears can make that task a breeze. Tip: Make sure you get a pair that can withstand the dishwasher.
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2 3/4" Paring Knive »
A small paring knife can be your best friend for smaller, more detailed cuts. It pays to get a good one — don't go cheap.
by Bloomingdale's
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OXO Instant Read Thermometer - $11.99 »
A meat thermometer doesn't have to be anything fancy. My favorite is an instant-read model. With one quick plunge, it tells me within 10 seconds whether or not the meat is ready to come out of the oven. It's a breeze to clean too!
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OXO Good Grips 10-1/2-by-15-Inch Utility Cutting Board, Black Edge - $14.99 »
As much as I love my wooden cutting boards, I also have a plastic one on hand for use with raw meat. The best part is that it goes in the dishwasher for sterilization and easy cleaning.
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Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Strainer - $27.49 »
Use a fine mesh strainer for squeezing fresh lemons (without also getting the seeds), straining sauces, dusting powdered sugar and a bunch of other things. I love how it sits over the bowl, making it hands free.
by Williams-Sonoma
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Ten-Piece Glass Bowl Set - $39.95 »
Glass nesting bowls are great for prep work and mixing batters. They're also wonderful for serving pasta and salad. You'd be amazed how often you use the tiny condiment bowls.
by Williams-Sonoma
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Rösle Locking Tongs - $23.00 »
One pair of locking tongs can do many, many jobs: flip pan-seared chicken breasts, pull al dente spaghetti from its pot, serve salad — and all with only one hand! It's a definite must-have.
by Williams-Sonoma
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Stainless-Steel Colanders - $18.00 »
From straining pasta to rinsing fruit, colanders that sit up off the sink with feet are great. Bonus if they're also dishwasher-friendly.
by Crate&Barrel
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Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set with Double Bonus - $449.95 »
A quality set of pots and pans can change your entire cooking frame of mind. I love a good cast iron skillet (that's been well seasoned), and I also love stainless steel cookware. But the most versatile, by far, is the non-stick variety. If you can only afford one set, go that route. Complement your set with a piece or two of the other material.
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Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel And Silicone Solid Turner - $9.99 »
A silicone turner (or spatula, as us laymen call it) works with pancakes, fish, roast potatoes — you name it. It's used almost every day in my house!
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Nordicware Natural Commercial 18" Bakers Half Sheet - $10.67 »
Whether roasting a chicken, baking cookies or using it as a catch-all for a bubbly casserole dish, a baking sheet with a 1-inch lip is perfect.
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Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup - $4.98 »
I use my 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup every day. Every. Day. Enough said.
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Wolfgang Puck Hand Mixer - $59.99 »
Though I love my KitchenAid stand mixer, there are times when a simple hand mixer is perfect; making mashed potatoes is one.
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Kalorik Stick Hand Mixer - $39.99 »
For times when you don't need a full blender or you simply want a creamy, smooth soup, a stick mixer is your tool. You may not use it every day (unless smoothies are part of your morning ritual), but you'll use it enough to warrant the purchase.
Next: Ultimate Storage Solution for Measuring Cups
Next: Ultimate Storage Solution for Measuring Cups
