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

[papaver]

I use this a lot in the kitchen...

[krisl6]

The one thing in the kitchen I can't live without is my partner! 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! 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.

[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.

[papaver]

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

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

[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.

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.

This, and our 3.5 qt. Analon Straining Saucepan, 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 )
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 )
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.

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.

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.