2. Hand tools that make cooking at home a breeze
A well-equipped kitchen is not complete without the right tools. These are the unsung heroes of my kitchen that make everyday tasks faster, easier and more enjoyable.
Good quality knives: A sharp, high-quality knife is a non-negotiable in my kitchen. I rely on my chef's knife for almost everything—from cutting vegetables to slicing meat. I also keep a sturdy paring knife handy for smaller tasks like peeling fruit or chopping herbs. Having well-balanced, sharp knives not only makes prep work easier, but also safer.
Fullstar All-in-1 Vegetable Slicer, Mandoline Slicer and Cheese Grater: This all-in-one tool is an absolute lifesaver in my kitchen. It can chop, chop, slice, and even spiralize vegetables in seconds. Whether I'm prepping ingredients for a stir-fry, making homemade chips, or grating cheese, the Fullstar tool makes everything faster and more efficient. I love that it also comes with a hand spiralizer for making veggie noodles. It's versatile, easy to clean, and doesn't take up much space—making it a must-have for any homeowner.
Kitchen scale: My kitchen scale gets a lot of use, especially when baking or canning food. It's great for accurately measuring ingredients by weight, which is much more accurate than using volume measurements. I also rely on it when I portion out large batches of food for freezing or canning. A good kitchen scale is an indispensable tool to ensure consistent results in all types of recipes.
Hand grater/zester: The grater/zester is great for adding a bright citrus kick to recipes and is essential for mincing fresh ginger or garlic.
Food mill: My food mill is a must during harvest season. I use it to easily remove skins and seeds from tomatoes when I'm making sauces or canning. It's also perfect for making smooth applesauce and other purees.
Mortar and nails: For grinding spices, making pesto or pureeing herbs, my mortar and pestle are indispensable. There's something satisfying about the tactile experience of grinding things by hand, and it makes such a difference to the flavor of homemade spice blends or herb pastes.
Whip and wooden spoon: Simple yet effective, these tools are used every day. My ovens come in handy for everything from whipping up pancake batter to making salad dressings. Wooden spoons are preferred for mixing stews, sauteing vegetables or mixing dough. They don't scratch my cookware and will last for years if cared for properly.
