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

[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

[Delta7]

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

[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. 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 My oven is pre heated in 1 minute.

It really is a foodies dream.

[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.

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...