As a home cook, mom, wife and someone who spends A LOT of time in the kitchen, I thought I’d share my secret to kitchen survival. Here is a roundup of my top favorite kitchen gear!
All-Clad Nonstick 13-piece Cookware Set
Finding the right cookware is tricky. What works for one person, may not be the same for another. You have to find the right set that meets your personal needs. For me and my family of 4, this All-Clad non-stick set is a winner. With a variety of different shapes and sizes, I am able to find the perfect pot or pan for any occasion. Pasta, pancakes, omelettes, stir-fry, lobster boil…this set has it all. Just as important, it truly is non-stick. When you invest in cookware this is a major box that needs to be checked, at least for me! Who has time or wants to deal with food stuck in a pot or pan? This All-Clad set is hard anodized, meaning aluminium is fused together with a nonstick coating causing the food to not stick. Hard anodized cookware is also extremely durable and scratch resistant. The only setback I’d say is that the larger pots are quite heavy, and over high heat, the handles do get hot. Make sure you always hand wash your pots and pans, no matter what you choose. I learned this over the years, trust me they will last way longer. And if you have an amazing non-stick set like this All-Clad, the food slides right off!
This beautiful 18-piece knife set was given to me as a wedding gift 11 years ago. I’ve never bought another, or needed to. That alone tells me this is the best out there. The variety of sizes is everything you need, including the sharpest pair of kitchen sheers (scissors). The hardwood block the knifes sit in looks gorgeous on your countertop, just in reach to chop or slice anything. I can’t believe after 11 years the knifes are still sharp as can be. I try my best to hand wash the larger knifes to avoid any blade dulling, but the smaller ones always go in the dishwasher. And are still sharp! Why would I buy anything else?
Kitchen survival at its finest! Coffee. I’m actually not a huge coffee drinker, (too much caffeine and I are not okay), but of course any mom out there needs a pick-me-up when we need one. Enter Nespresso Vertuo Next. A Christmas gift from my husband a couple years ago, I now have my little espresso once a day to give me just the boost I need. No other coffee compares and I just love that it comes out foamy on top. I never need to add milk or milk substitute because it has such a smooth taste. With a variety of different flavors, strengths and types of coffee, you can make just about anything. Not to mention the design is sleek and chic, looking perfect on any countertop or coffee nook. (Pay attention to the descaling and cleaning rules. I’ve had one break on me before because I didn’t do any of that. You must give your machine the TLC it deserves).
Breville Juice Fountain Cold Juicer
A lot of juicing takes place in my kitchen and my best buddy is the Breville juice fountain with cold spin technology. This high performance juicer has an innovative cold extraction system that allows you to avoid damage to vitamins and minerals from heat and processing. So all your nutrients are preserved! The large 3″ feed chute allows whole fruits and vegetables to be juiced without cutting. You can fit a whole apple in there! Making juicing quick and easy. It comes with a large seal & store jug so you can store for later and make more juice, clean less.
Cuisinart® Stainless Steel AirFryer Toaster Oven with Grill
My husband’s favorite kitchen appliance, this air fryer is a game changer. In fact, I’m not sure how I lived without it my whole life. You can cook anything in here. And I mean anything. I did a lot of research before settling on this multi-functioning 8-in-1 cooking device. Unlike other air fryers, this Cuisinart version has 8 cooking functions: Air Fry, Convection Bake, Convection Broil, Bake, Broil, Warm, Toast and Grill. Must I say more? We make everything in here from crispy veggies, burgers, sandwiches, fish, chicken, and even dessert.
KitchenAid Speed Diamond Blender
This super powerful blender is my go-to for every sauce, smoothie, and even to chop veggies and nuts. More than half the cost of a Vitamix, this blender does it all and then some. With 5 speed options it can stir, chop, mix, puree or liquify. I love that you can add more ingredients while it blends by taking off the cap to the lid while in process. It also doubles as a food processor which makes it a great investment.
This one is fun for the whole family! This easy to use ice cream machine gives you your favorite frozen treat in less than 20 minutes. For $69 I think every home should own one. My kids love making their favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet which they can almost do without my help. It’s that easy. The double-insulated freezer bowl eliminates the need for ice. And it’s a lot of fun to watch your creation churn to ice cream!
Another favorite from my wedding 11 years ago is this gorgeous maple wood chopping block by John Boos, and it has been sitting on my counter for just that long. If someone asked me the one thing I use in my kitchen every day, it would be this. For the past decade, I have used this thing to chop and prepare a billion meals, to cool down food and hot plates, for charcuterie boards and appetizers, decorative purposes, backdrop of photography. Everything. If it wasn’t in my kitchen I would feel lost. And there is something about a beautiful wooden cutting block that just completes a kitchen for me. Every home needs one and this John Boos version is a lifelong friend.
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