Guest Picks: Channeling Contessa's Kitchen Essentials
I have a lot of Oxo products in my kitchen, as you'll see in this ideabook. I really like their colander because it's sturdy, and there's nothing worse than dumping out a pot of fresh pasta and having it go all over the sink!
I find a tomato knife 100 percent necessary for chopping tomatoes, but it's also extremely helpful when it comes to cutting small loaves of bread (read: perfect for a cheese plate).
I'm partial to the Wusthof brand because they make great and affordable knives. I also really like the weight and design of their handles.
I bake a lot, so this one is a necessity. The key thing I want to highlight is the fact that it's white, so this one will go with any kitchen style, making it work in whatever home you're in over the course of your life.
I use this thing at least once, if not twice, every day. I've had my Oxo spinner for over seven years, and it still looks brand new.
I told you there was a lot of Oxo going on! I love these tongs because they work well, are affordable and are still pretty sleek.
I have one medium mixing bowl that I use all the time. It's perfect for using as a small salad bowl, for whipping cream and making frosting in, or tossing together dry ingredients for baking. This set is extremely lightweight and durable, which makes the bowls easy to clean and withstand a fair amount of banging around in the kitchen.
I could pretty much say the same thing here as I did for the glass bowls, but I like having something that's a bit larger and even lighter to work with. It's great for batters, big pasta dishes and bread making.
I used to think I needed a full-size Cuisinart, but I've had my mini for eight years, and it has done everything I've ever needed when it comes to puréeing, chopping and even bringing together doughs.
Everyone needs a dutch oven, and I'm a firm believer in investing in a Le Creuset. Their products are not only extremely durable, but also simply gorgeous. They make the perfect oven-to-table transition!
The same goes for the Le Creuset roasting pans. They work beautifully and serve as stunning centerpieces on the table.
I always prefer white over other colors or designs because it works with every season and color palette. I use this platter for everything from a big cheese plate to serving up Christmas cookies.
The color doesn't really matter here, and I personally only think you need one spatula, but they're definitely a must in baking.
This was a bit of an investment, but for the number of times and number of ways I use this thing, it's worth it. You need a quality pot for making sauces, but this one is also perfect for beautifully sautéing an onion or cooking up a bit of pasta.
Until I become a pro at frying beautiful eggs, I'll take a nonstick pan, please. I like Calphalon because their products don't feel overly coated and are high quality, so they'd still be good for sauteing or frying other things.
I'm also a firm believer that you need a frying pan that can go from the stovetop to the oven safely. A cast iron skillet does this beautifully.
Measuring spoons, dry measuring cups and wet measuring cups — yes, yes and yes! I actually have two sets of measuring spoons, one set of dry measuring cups and a set of two-cup measuring cups for measuring liquids. All are necessary in my kitchen.
I like this cookie sheet because it's big and doesn't have edges on two sides. This way it's easier to line with parchment paper, and it fits more cookies!
Don't confuse a mesh strainer with a colander. I use mine throughout the winter for smoothing out soups and in the summer for removing seeds from fruit spreads and sauces.More: Essential Tools to Make Crafty Sweets
This is my go-to wine pump. I like its simple and clean design, and the stoppers are really affordable. I like to have at least two or three in my drawer.
Q