What is the kitchen utensil/gadget you can't live without?

[hoffsquared]

My family always likes me to give them a list of ideas for holiday gift giving. I think cooking and upgrading cooking stuff will be my theme this year.

So what is the kitchen utensil/gadget that you can't live without? Looking for brand specifics.

One of my favorite items is my Zyliss garlic crusher. After many broken ones - this one is the best I've found.

Thanks in advance!

[Tuckervill]

I waited 20 years for a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, and now that I have one, I want a bigger one! So that's what I wouldn't do without.

Karen

[shootingstar]

A high quality:

*peeling knife for veggies (wide blade, not narrow)
*1-2 high grade paring knives.
*sharp medium sized chef grade knife strong enough for slicing meat and veggies, -- haven't bought Japanese sushi knife grade which I understand even better than German Henkel's quality. I have used Henkel for last few decades.
*Collapsible collander for draining pasta, veggies, etc. ...and for easy storage if not used.
*a medium sized saucepan with 3" high sides and lid ..for sauteeing, stir-frying dishes with sauces. Ok, you don't need a wok for stir frying or frying pan for pan frying if one is desperate to do cooking.

Have you ever cooked with long handled plain wood chopsticks? They are incredibly useful for quick whipping of eggs, sauces, stirring, or plucking out veggie/pieces of meat from a pot, etc. I would argue that untreated (unvarnished) wood chopsticks are safer than sticking in plastic utensils in hot liquids/mixtures.

[GLC1968]

Hmmm, I have a couple of bamboo spatula type things that I bought over 20 years ago that still look brand new even after years of cooking with them...I love them! (No idea on brand anymore...)

I also love my food mill, but most people probably don't have need for one of those. Mine is a hand crank one that really does an amazing job. Cuts canning and making preserves into half the time.

And I love my little mortar and pestle (sp?). It's marble, cleans up with the wipe of a cloth and makes dried spices sing.

Lastly, I have a silly little plastic food chopper thing that works like a charm. I got it from an infomercial because I cannot be within a yard of onions without tearing up, but I find I use it all the time. I'm not going to recommend it though because I think they've changed the manufacturer since I got mine and the new ones are apparently pieces of junk. Mine is still chopping strong after 6+ years of almost daily use though.

It's this thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Genius-USA-ND05RT-Nicer-Dicer/dp/B000HEBCEM

[ASammy1]

I would die without my crock pot, plain and simple...

[OakLeaf]

One good 6" or 8" chef's knife.

Anything else I could live without if I had to.

Oh, and a cutting board that won't dull the blade.

A honing steel, and a sharpening jig is gravy.

[oxysback]

I love cooking in my cast-iron skillet. Cornbread, desserts, burgers...it's a great all purpose item to have. :)

[tulip]

this:

[Shara]

I like those apple slicers ^
And really I can't do without a can opener.

But my gift-worthy appliance that I really like is my rice cooker and I got it for free with a points card :D

[Delta7]

I bought a kitchen timer at a Pampered Chef party a while back ... use it every morning to time my french press coffee.

http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/ThePamperedChef/1900?$product$

[Owlie]

My boyfriend doesn't count, does he? (He slices, he dices, he even does the washing up!)

Really good sharp knives and a nicely sized cutting board.

[papaver]

I don't know where to start, really. :o I just like my...kitchen... It was designed by me and it really is the center of our house. I love my induction stove (easy to keep clean and just as fun to cook as a gas stove). I love my oven, especially the speedheat button :o My oven is pre heated in 1 minute. :D

It really is a foodies dream. :p

[tulip]

Papaver, I feel the same way about my kitchen. Everything is where I like and need it to be, because I put it there! Really the best thing about my kitchen are my bamboo cabinets. They are beautiful and amazingly well-built.

But if I had to move, I'd definitely take my apple slicer!

[ridenread]

+1 on the kitchen aid standing mixer. It is not something that gets everyday or even everyweek use but it makes so many jobs so much easier.

Also a good set of knifes is essential!

[OakLeaf]

Since we're talking about gifts, and so many of us have suggested knives, corers and peelers...

my mom has a superstition - that both my sisters have adopted, but somehow not myself - that sharp objects cannot be given as gifts, or they will "cut the relationship." The remedy is for the recipient to pay the giver a token amount, like a penny, after receiving the gift, so it's actually a "sale."

Just so you're aware. I put ceramic peelers in my family's stockings one Christmas (love love love mine, and I thought they were a nice gift item since they're more money than most people want to spend on a peeler, but really worth it) - having forgotten about the superstition - and I was surprised how much the gift upset my family. :o

So if you give something sharp - particularly if you won't be present when the gift is opened, for them to "pay" you for it - make sure your recipients don't subscribe to this superstition!

[papaver]

I use this a lot in the kitchen...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/893032.jpg

[krisl6]

The one thing in the kitchen I can't live without is my partner! :D Because I can't cook to save my life! That being said she's been dreaming of a KitchenAid mixer for years. Everyone (who is into cooking that is) seems to be nuts about those things.

[papaver]

The one thing in the kitchen I can't live without is my partner! :D Because I can't cook to save my life! That being said she's been dreaming of a KitchenAid mixer for years. Everyone (who is into cooking that is) seems to be nuts about those things.

So am I! I could live without my Kenwood, but I don't really want to. :D

[indysteel]

My instant-read meat thermometer. I would have woefully underdone or overdone meat without it.

[tulip]

Papaver and Krisl6...feel free to speak Dutch here. I'm learning (kinda, thanks to Papaver) and could use the practice. :D

[papaver]

Papaver and Krisl6...feel free to speak Dutch here. I'm learning (kinda, thanks to Papaver) and could use the practice. :D

Krisl isn't Dutch... but her dutch writing is more than okay. :D

[tctrek]

If I didn't have DH in the kitchen I would either starve to death or go broke from eating out! He's done all the cooking and grocery shopping for the past 20+ years. I can make toast and I do good with stuff that you can put in the microwave. I think he would say that he wants a great food processor of some sort.

[redrhodie]

Since we're talking about gifts, and so many of us have suggested knives, corers and peelers...

my mom has a superstition - that both my sisters have adopted, but somehow not myself - that sharp objects cannot be given as gifts, or they will "cut the relationship." The remedy is for the recipient to pay the giver a token amount, like a penny, after receiving the gift, so it's actually a "sale."

Just so you're aware. I put ceramic peelers in my family's stockings one Christmas (love love love mine, and I thought they were a nice gift item since they're more money than most people want to spend on a peeler, but really worth it) - having forgotten about the superstition - and I was surprised how much the gift upset my family. :o

So if you give something sharp - particularly if you won't be present when the gift is opened, for them to "pay" you for it - make sure your recipients don't subscribe to this superstition!

That is so interesting. I gave someone a knife as a wedding present, and have hardly seen them since the wedding, and not at all for a few years. We used to see each other all the time. Funny.

[HoosierGiant]

My Green Apple non-stick glass bakeware -- eliminates the need to grease the pan, and nothing sticks -- not cakes, not cheesy potatoes, not gooey pies. Anything that reduces clean-up time is a plus in my book, but then I still don't own a dish washer... :(

[7rider]

So what is the kitchen utensil/gadget that you can't live without? Looking for brand specifics.


Oxo salad spinner. (http://www.amazon.com/Oxo-Good-Grips-Salad-Spinner/dp/B00004OCKR)

This, and our 3.5 qt. Analon Straining Saucepan, (http://www.amazon.com/Anolon-Advanced-2-Quart-Straining-Saucepan/dp/B0000CFHCH/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1257881692&sr=1-2) gets used daily.

[Pax]

Sharp knife and a cutting board.

[papaver]

brands in my kitchen:

Le creuset (you guys call it a Dutch oven >>> dunno why :D )
De Meyere cookware http://www.demeyere.be/default.asp?SLID=1
Peugeot peppermills http://www.psp-peugeot-usa.com/products/mills.htm
Solingen knives: http://www.knives-from-solingen.com/
Laguiole knives: http://www.laguiole-french-knife.com/
Wüsthof chef knives: http://www.wusthof.com/desktopdefault.aspx

[indysteel]

brands in my kitchen:

Le creuset (you guys call it a Dutch oven >>> dunno why :D )
De Meyere cookware http://www.demeyere.be/default.asp?SLID=1
Peugeot peppermills http://www.psp-peugeot-usa.com/products/mills.htm
Solingen knives: http://www.knives-from-solingen.com/
Laguiole knives: http://www.laguiole-french-knife.com/
Wüsthof chef knives: http://www.wusthof.com/desktopdefault.aspx

I don't have a Le Creuset (too rich for my blood), but I do have a Dutch Oven that I love! It's very versatile.

I only recently started cooking in earnest and had no idea where to start in terms of buying the things I might need in the kitchen. I finallyl subscribed to America's Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated online content. Their online equipment reviews have proven very helpful, especially since you can often find recommendations at various price points. I use their ingredient reviews a lot, too. My BF gave me a subscription to Cook's Illustrated magazine for my birthday. I learn a lot about food prep and technique from just reading their recipes, even if I don't ultimately follow them to the letter.

[papaver]

I know that quality kitchen stuff is really expensive... I save money for the stuff I want, sometimes I ask something for my birthday like a Peugeot Peppermill, or I look out for special sales (like stores that have to close down...). And i participate in contests... that's how I won my creuset. :D

I just take my time. :)

[shootingstar]

Since we're talking about gifts, and so many of us have suggested knives, corers and peelers...

my mom has a superstition - that both my sisters have adopted, but somehow not myself - that sharp objects cannot be given as gifts, or they will "cut the relationship." The remedy is for the recipient to pay the giver a token amount, like a penny, after receiving the gift, so it's actually a "sale."

Just so you're aware. I put ceramic peelers in my family's stockings one Christmas (love love love mine, and I thought they were a nice gift item since they're more money than most people want to spend on a peeler, but really worth it) - having forgotten about the superstition - and I was surprised how much the gift upset my family. :o

So if you give something sharp - particularly if you won't be present when the gift is opened, for them to "pay" you for it - make sure your recipients don't subscribe to this superstition!

This superstition sounds vaguely familiar though for our family, I have parents who are extra safety conscious. This would be topmost in their mind.

[indysteel]

I know that quality kitchen stuff is really expensive... I save money for the stuff I want, sometimes I ask something for my birthday like a Peugeot Peppermill, or I look out for special sales (like stores that have to close down...). And i participate in contests... that's how I won my creuset. :D

I just take my time. :)

It does pay to be patient. My BF and I recently combined a sale with a rebate to finally get a KitchenAid stand mixer for over $100 less than what it typically sells for. Same with my roasting pan. I've signed up for a couple of sites like Cooking.com that have good sales here and there. I got a good deal there on my stainless 12-inch skillet. I do think quality pays off with certain items.

[MommyBird]

Mine is an "out of the kitchen" utensil.

We discovered Dutch Oven cooking this Spring.
Not the same type of DO that has been listed by others on this thread.

Here is a link to some DO's in service on the Cabelas site:
http://www.cabelas.com/p-0013227514234a.shtml

This DO is for cooking outdoors with coal or over an open fire. We do the coal version.
The DO is cast iron and has three legs and a recessed lid to hold the upper coals. You put a specified number of coals under the DO and on the lid as per the recipe.
My husband is the main DO handler in our house. He loves it because he gets to wear a big pair of bright red suede gloves and use a special lid lifting tool. (He has a pic on his computer, I'll try to post it later)
Our favorite recipes are the fruit cobblers and crisps.
We have made pot roasts as well. We love making cobbler so much that we have been a bit lax on our recipe experimentation.
Plus, we need to expand our collection so that we can make chili, cornbread and dessert at the same time!

Next Fall we plan to attend "Dutchstream" in TN.
This is a combined Airstream and Dutch Oven rally.
Yes, the bikes will come too. Hubby cannot miss a chance to ride in the mountains and I should be ready for them by next Fall.

[papaver]

This is an ultimate dream...

http://www.traditionaloven.com/

[SadieKate]

Oxo salad spinner. (http://www.amazon.com/Oxo-Good-Grips-Salad-Spinner/dp/B00004OCKR)Amazingly, that's the gadget maillotpois can't do without in my kitchen.:p

[withm]

Several years ago I bought a set of Le Creuset on Ebay - 2 small saucepans w/ lids, am 8" skillet, and 6qt Dutch oven. It was around $275 or so but honestly I don't remember. I've since added a 2 and a 5 qt dutch oven and I use the small one a couple times each week for sure. It's the perfect size for one person. I love this stuff and it will last forever. Definitely an investment.

[papaver]

This was a present too...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/958831684_698e2c4cde-1.jpg

An Alessi whisk... quite handy....

[shootingstar]

I know that quality kitchen stuff is really expensive... I save money for the stuff I want, sometimes I ask something for my birthday like a Peugeot Peppermill, or I look out for special sales (like stores that have to close down...). And i participate in contests... that's how I won my creuset. :D

I just take my time. :)

When my partner's mother died last year, we inherited alot of her top-notch cooking ware. She was an excellent cook, baker and did use quality kitchen tools --ie. her special cooking pot for steaming and cooking dumpfenudel.

Yes, serious German cooks have a particular type of pot so dumpfnudels don't stick much and steam doesn't escape when cooking. Yup, it's been used since dearie and his brother have made dumpfnudel several times since her death. Dumpfnudel is like a Chinese bao, steamed white bun --but no filling for dumpfnudel. But each bun type uses a totally different way of making the dough and slightly different steaming technique and apparatus.

That's how we also ended up having some wonderful kitchen shears, etc.

[shootingstar]

This thread is interesting..really show such varied cooking style preferences. For instance, I can't get overly excited about certain Cruset pots nor Dutch ovens. I've never used a Dutch oven...yet.

[Tuckervill]

I cook outside with cast iron Dutch Ovens, too! Love its ease, and I especially like making a big breakfast in mine, but I don't see me going to any shows or cook-offs. :)

Karen

[papaver]

This thread is interesting..really show such varied cooking style preferences. For instance, I can't get overly excited about certain Cruset pots nor Dutch ovens. I've never used a Dutch oven...yet.

I didn't get it either... till I got one for free... seriously... you never burn things, it's perfect for slow cooking...

[ny biker]

This thread is interesting..really show such varied cooking style preferences. For instance, I can't get overly excited about certain Cruset pots nor Dutch ovens. I've never used a Dutch oven...yet.

And then there are people like me who would have to answer "the microwave" because we can't cook...

All the recommendations for good sharp knives makes me think of my mother, who has been using the same old paring knife for more than 50 years. I don't think she has ever sharpened it. But you should see her peel and slice a big pile of apples when she makes apple pie -- that knife works fine and there's no way she'd want to replace it.

[papaver]

my paring knife is about 20 years old, my mom's was her mom's and she got it wen she was 21. My grandmother was born in 1901. You do the math. :D

[ny biker]

my paring knife is about 20 years old, my mom's was her mom's and she got it wen she was 21. My grandmother was born in 1901. You do the math. :D

And I bet food tastes better when that knife is used to prepare it...

[papaver]

And I bet food tastes better when that knife is used to prepare it...

Hmmmm... nothing beats my mother's handcut frites... :D

[OakLeaf]

My parents got their Le Creuset pans around 35 years ago IIRC. They may as well be new, by the looks of them.

And they have a lifetime warranty if something should go wrong. The enamel on my 5-1/2 qt soup pot got crazed and all I had to do was send it back for a replacement.


Papaver, I was looking at the different types of whisk at Sur La Table the other day. What an assortment! I wondered what type of food each one is best for?

[papaver]

Most of them say what they are meant for...

http://www.surlatable.com/p2p/endecaSearch.do?keyword=whisk&sortby=ourPicks&&page=1&asc=true

But what I advise is, make sure the handle is not too heavy. I have two of which the handle is too heavy, they easily fall over when you not holding them.

[Trek420]

:D nice knives

:D good cutting board .... and I'm a happy happy prep chef :D

[hoffsquared]

Thank you all so much! I've got some ideas to follow-up on!

I used Dutch Ovens all the time when taking my Girl Scouts camping. There is nothing like camp-made Monkey Bread after a long day hiking.

Haven't really used them here at home.

[OakLeaf]

Most of them say what they are meant for...

http://www.surlatable.com/p2p/endecaSearch.do?keyword=whisk&sortby=ourPicks&&page=1&asc=true

That told me that the "ordinary" shape is for eggs and the flat-bottomed one is for using in saucepans. Okay. But I don't think the "balloon whisk" is for whisking balloons...

Anyway, the one you pictured isn't even on that page, and neither are a lot of the ones they had in the store. :confused:

Ball whisks, flat whisks, tornado whisks, jet whisks, frog whisks.... I'm learning the names from my friend Google, but haven't found what they're for yet...

[shootingstar]

I didn't get it either... till I got one for free... seriously... you never burn things, it's perfect for slow cooking...

Well Dutch oven cooking or slow cooking like that in the oven, isn't my natural instinctual style of cooking. We use our oven for: baking my homemade of focaccia/pizzas with multiple variant toppings; roasting certain root veggies, occasional quiche-like flans and stuffed phyllo roll. We don't roast meat because we prefer not eat/prepare such a large amount of meat...for only 2 people. Anyway we only eat certain meats.

There are some Asian dishes that use clay pot but I've never tried them yet and haven't figured out if stovetop or oven-based.

For the actual cooking process, I just prefer the speed of the stove top dishes that we do..except of course for soups. We seldom have stewed nor braised entree dishes nor do we ever make casseroles. Neither he nor I grew up on casserole dishes so we haven't moved forward in life. :p

So we have too many casserole ceramic dishes as gifts. :)

[krisl6]

Krisl isn't Dutch... but her dutch writing is more than okay. :D

Thanks for the compliment! :D

or should I say:

Bedankt voor het compliment!

[Crankin]

My JA Henckels set of knives.
Other than that, I have a lot of cool little tools I like, but they are not expensive or special things. I have had a Kitchen Aid stand up mixer for about 15 years; I hardly use it anymore, since I rarely bake. I also have a bread machine that my exchange student gave us for a present that whenever we use it, we say, "Why don't we use that more often?"

[tulip]

To add to my favorites: it's really gotta be my Le Creuset dutch oven, now that Bleeker has hooked me on using it to bake bread. I never buy any sort of bread anymore. I've had my Le Creuset for nearly 20 years, and I always meant to build upon my collection other pots, but I haven't yet. I only have two other cooking pots--an old cheapola saucepan and a small cast iron skillet.

Oh and one more thing that I really like for cooking fish is my Romertopf for fish. I would like one for chicken someday, too.

[jobob]

There are a couple of excellent cooking shows on PBS, America's Test Kitchen and the related series Cooks Country.

One of the segments on (both?) of these shows are equipment tests -- they test everything from can openers to countertop appliances. They do pretty detailed tests, and cost is definitely a deciding factor. Ofter times they'll point out the "perfect" item, that is, the one that does the job perfectly but costs a bundle, and then they'll single out the item that tested very close to perfect but at a fraction of the cost.

Anyhow, a lot of their test reviews can be found here. Maybe you can find stuff for your wishlist. :cool:

http://www.americastestkitchen.com/ratedcookware.asp

Argh, some of the reviews are available only if you register for the website. Still, at least you can see what they like on the main page.

[skhill]

I cook and bake a lot, and I'd hate to be without my kitchenaid stand mixer (inherited from my parents) and my lucky pie plate (from grandma; the pie always turns out great). But the one thing I really, really, couldn't survive without is a decent coffeemaker....

[papaver]

Oh and one more thing that I really like for cooking fish is my Romertopf for fish. I would like one for chicken someday, too.

I have a romertopf that someone gave me... but i don't know what to do with it... :confused:

[papaver]

But the one thing I really, really, couldn't survive without is a decent coffeemaker....

How decent? this decent?

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/syntia-white-class.jpg

This baby will be MINE by the end of this month... http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/nahrung/a040.gif

[tulip]

I have a romertopf that someone gave me... but i don't know what to do with it... :confused:

Is it for chicken or fish? The fish ones are shaped like a fish (imagine that!) and the bottom half is glazed on the inside. The chicken ones are taller and are not glazed on the inside. Don't use fish in a chicken one, unless you want all your future chicken dishes to smell like fish.

Here's what you do, assuming you have one for chicken: Soak the Romertopf in a sinkful of water for at least 20 minutes, preferably an hour. After that, put in some potatoes (chunks), carrots, celery, garlic, onions, fresh herbs--whatever you like. And a bit of white wine or beer--like a cup. Then put the the chicken (whole) in. You can stuff the chicken with garlic and herbs if you want to.

Put it in the oven, but the oven must be COLD. Turn the oven up to 400F / 180C or so and cook for about an hour. I'm not sure about the time. Everything cooks perfectly--moist and delicious and healthy.

Google Romertopf recipes for more info. They are wonderful!

[papaver]

it's the chicken one... :D

[MommyBird]

We have a new toy that has quickly become a favorite.

My husband and two sons have gotten into the habit of making energy shakes after they ride (Dave) and row (Nick & Drew).
I got tired of having the big blender out and washing the pitcher all the time. It's big, heavy and awkward.

So, I gave my husband a Tribest Personal Blender for our anniversary just this month. The guys love it. I do not use it but I love it too. Multiple containers, lightweight, they put it away, much quieter than the big one, who wouldn't love it.

Here are pics of us using our Dutch Oven for the first time...Notice the bikes on the truck...and the big red gloves...

[Tuckervill]

Why are you wearing the gloves if you're using the lid lifter?

The other most useful thing I like is a lid stand, so when you have to take the lid off to stir or serve, you can put the lid down and it won't get dirty. Also, I suggest always using it in a fire ring, even when using charcoal (if your campground has one of those grills on a stand, you can do it there, too). We don't want anyone accidentally tripping over a hot oven! I have learned how to use one over the fire, with regular coals from the fire, too, which is much earthier! It's so much fun!

Karen

[Zen]

I make coffee by putting the grounds in a coffee filter placed in a hand-held strainer.

I make poached eggs using mason jar rings.

I re-use aluminum pie pans.

I'm obviously not the one to answer this.

[sgtiger]

Zen, the mason jar rings for eggs is brilliant. I've been eyeballing egg rings because I like making my own breakfast sandwiches, but I hate the thought of adding another kitchen doodad to my already cluttered kitchen drawers. Thanks, I'll be using your idea next time.

[Number 9]

Hi all, I am bit of lurker here but I am also a great cook, which pays off when my riding buddies all drop me... they wait 'cause I have the food and the knowledge....

a good 8 or 10 inch chefs knife (heinkels/trident or other top brand)
a sharpening steel to keep it right
Jonathan's spoons hardwood spatulas (never scrape or damage a pan again)

ps always give a gift of a knife with a penny taped to the blade ( a good luck charm to prevent any cuts)

sheila

[MommyBird]

Why are you wearing the gloves if you're using the lid lifter?

Karen

This was our first use. We didn't know what to expect.
The gloves were the main draw for my husband. When we were walking into the Lodge Outlet store he reminded me that we were "just looking."
Then he spied the gloves and asked "do I get to wear these gloves if I Dutch Oven cook?" I said "yes" and he couldn't load his cart fast enough. So fast that we forgot the lid stand!

There wasn't a fire ring at this site so we sat in in the gravel.

Now we use these big metal dog bowls you can get at Walmart. We learned this trick at a rally from a DO oficionado. He also showed me his $6 welders gloves when he saw my $14 Lodge gloves. I had to tell him that his gloves were not bright enough to lure my husband into this new hobby.

[Zen]

Zen, the mason jar rings for eggs is brilliant.

I wish I could take credit for it but honesty is my weakness at times :o
I found that idea while I was searching 'how to make poached eggs'
Incidentally, they work great.

[sandy87]

Don't use fish in a chicken one, unless you want all your future chicken dishes to smell like fish.
Just let me say: You are right... unfortunately, I did it

:confused:

seems that i need a new Roemertopf (http://www.purenature24.com/shop/k266/roemertopf-outlet.html) ...
(and we should reanimate this thread .... to get more good tips!)

:)


Regards

[marni]

I have my favorite knife and my favorite cast iron skillet which can pretty much get me through anything.

[redrhodie]

I have my favorite knife and my favorite cast iron skillet which can pretty much get me through anything.

I pity the fool who tries to mess with you!