I have an interesting relationship with cooking. I used to love it, even dabbled in a cooking blog (RIP Little Petunia in an Onion Patch) for a bit. But after my son was born, I couldn’t stand to be in the kitchen. The thought of touching raw food made me gag. I’ve only recently fallen back in love with cooking, and a big reason is because of using the right tools. I’m all about efficiency and keeping everything clean as I go, it’s the only way I enjoy cooking. My husband makes fun of my love of gadgets, but they truly make the process so much more fun for me.
Here are some fun, useful tools that will inspire you to enjoy being in the kitchen:
So I totally got suckered into an IG ad for this gadget, but it was worth it! This handy mandolin slicer is not only super cute, but works amazingly well.
Try it on this recipe: Spicy Peanut Tofu Bowls with Quick Pickled Veggies
Are you sick of listening to me talk about my love for my Always Pan yet? It’s one of the best things I’ve purchased in a long time and I love how many different functions it has.
Try it on this recipe: Summer Vegetable Skillet Lasagna
Like I mentioned, I always clean as I go. I love to use these clip-on bins to save vegetable scraps for my chickens and other food waste for my compost. It’s especially handy when you’re cooking a recipe that utilizes a lot of produce.
Try it on this recipe: Extra Vegetable Fried Rice
Italian food is a staple in our house, and probably the cuisine I cook most often. This set has everything you need for a night of pizza and pasta.
Try it on this recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Sometimes we need a little motivation in the kitchen, and these mugs put such a pep in my step. Whether I’m using them for a beverage while cooking dinner or serving up a new creation, these glass mugs are the cutest staple for any kitchen.
Try it on this recipe: Hot Chocolate Floats
Amelie Baking Mat + Spatula Set
If you’re not using silicone mats for all your baking and roasting, what are you doing with your life? They cut down on clean up time by 1,000% and make sure none of your delicious creations stay stuck to the baking sheet.
Try it with this recipe: Roasted Beet Tostadas with Avocado Crema + Roasted Pepitas
Mincing herbs is a time suck. I probably use these herb scissors at least twice a day. Whether I’m making pesto, chimichurri or just garnishing, they are a life-saver.
Try it with this recipe: Green Goddess Quinoa Bowls
Peeling garlic is the bane of my existence. I love how quick and easy this tool is to use, and I’m never left with stinky, sticky garlic fingers.
Try it with this recipe: Carrot, Walnut + Red Lentil Hummus
I don’t eat meat anymore, but when I did, I loved using this cast iron press to keep bacon flat and cooked evenly. My husband still uses it for his Saturday morning breakfast.
Try it with this recipe: Farmers’ Market Breakfast Tacos
Tomatoes are one of my favorite foods, but they’re a pain to slice. This tool ensures neat, even slices each time. You can use it on lemons, onions and more!
Try it with this recipe: Tomato, Thyme and Ricotta Tart
Roller Shaker and Bench Scraper Set
This is a genius product for anyone who loves to bake. The shaker is also a rolling pin, so you have easy access to flour for your work surface. We love using it for weekly pizza nights with our pizza oven!
Try it with this recipe: Prosciutto Arugula Burrata Pizza
OK, so this isn’t technically a gadget for making meals, but it’s certainly one that I use most and one that I look forward to using. Making your own cold brew is so much cheaper than buying it pre-made or getting it from Starbucks!
Try it with this recipe: Homemade Cold Brew Coffee
Shop these kitchen tools:
