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Are you trying to find a gift for a friend who just moved into their first home? Or can’t decide the best gift for someone who is newly interested in cooking? Or maybe you want to expand your own kitchen with some new tools?
Well, I’ve got you covered! Here are my top 10 kitchen essentials! These kitchen tools are great for setting up a new kitchen or giving as gifts for the holidays! You can even keep some of these tools for yourself!
For the kitchen items below, I have kept my suggestions budget friendly but also looked at quality, durability and ease of use. They are all available on Amazon Prime, which means you can get any purchases before Christmas!
The list below contains affiliate links where I may receive a small commission if you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you. If you do decide to purchase something, thank you!
- A good quality Chef’s Knife: I think a great knife is your most useful tool in the kitchen. You need a knife that is heavy duty yet not tiring on your hands if you use it for a long period of time. It has to stay sharp for a long time and be able to be sharpened at home or by a professional. Here is a great starter chef’s knife that was very highly rated from America’s Test Kitchens, but are not crazy expensive!
- Measuring cups and spoons: you need a good quality set of measuring cups and spoons to ensure all the recipes you try are measured properly. I also like them to be made out of a material that can go in the dishwasher, in the microwave and is not breakable. Stainless steel is a great option and it looks stylish and classic in the kitchen. Just don’t put it in the microwave! If you have a smaller kitchen or lack storage space, collapsible measuring cups are also good.
- Wooden and Plastic cutting boards: A wooden cutting board looks totally professional and is also great for cutting fruits and vegetables. However, you do need a plastic cutting board for cutting meat and minimizing the potential for harmful bacteria multiplying in the pores of the wood. Here’s a wooden cutting board with a groove around the perimeter to help reduce any run off if you cut into something juicy. And here’s the plastic versions. I really like the rubber grips on these ones:
- Large Saute Pan: This is the large saute pan that I use frequently. I love that it is non-stick while also being very durable. The large size means that it is perfect for crisping up salmon filets or sauteing a bunch of vegetables. This pan also cooks very evenly, so you don’t have to worry about hot spots in the pan. I highly recommend this one!
- Wooden Spoons: a set of wooden spoons is a must in the kitchen! You need spoons and spatulas that can be used in a non-stick pan (like the one listed in point 4) without scratching it! (Believe me, I’ve learned this the hard way!) Pair one of these sets of wooden spoons with a nice kitchen towel and some gourmet seasonings, and you’ve got a lovely hostess gift too. There are also some wooden utensils that incorporate silicone, which is even better for protecting your pots and pans, and is a little more flexible for scraping and stirring.
- Spatulas: a set of silicone spatulas is useful, not only for baking, but also when cooking hot foods. I like to use a spatula when scrambling eggs or even making a quick pan gravy. For use in both hot and cold situations, silicone is a great option since it is highly resistant to temperature. That means you can also put it in the dishwasher… yay for no hand washing!
- Tongs: silicone tipped tongs are my favorite because it combines the strength of stainless steel while eliminating scratching my pans! This set is rated very highly on Amazon, and a portion of their sales goes to charity.
- Cookie Sheets: cookie sheets are so versatile! In addition to cookies, you can use them for roasting vegetables, chicken, skirt steak or even meatloaf. Taking good care of your cookie sheets will also ensure that they last a long time.
- Non stick mats: I love using non stick mats when baking because I no longer have to grease cookie sheets and clean up is a cinch! This set of 3 non stick silicone mats is a great deal as well as having awesome reviews.
- Muffin pan: a good non stick muffin pan should be in every kitchen. You can make muffins, cupcakes, mini quiches, mini meatloafs or even freezer fudge in them! Durability and temperature resistance is key here because you do not want the muffin pan to warp or bend during cooking.
These kitchen tools are what I use almost every day in my kitchen. Let me know in the comments if there are any other kitchen tools that you would include in your must-have list. Also, if you purchase and start using any of these tools, tag me at @nourish_with_renata as well as using the hashtag #nourishwithrenata.
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