The stores are boasting discounts on kitchen items this year, from tools to machines to pots. Perhaps you want to give a gift to a cook? Or do you want to stock up on equipment for your kitchen?
Our "good idea" list is to make meal prep faster, tastier, and more manageable. It is based on our test kitchen's daily use over the past year.
Small items
Vegetable peeler
Sharp knives, including paring knife and chef's knife or santoku knife
Serrated utility knife
Nonslip cutting boards that can go in the dishwasher - small enough to store but big enough to chop an onion
Nonstick silicone cooking utensils that are always ready and easy to clean
Japanese mandolin for slicing veggies very thin and even
Mixing bowls for making salads, baked items, batters
Baking mitts
Aprons - adjustable or wearable cross-back style
Colander for draining pasta, potatoes, and veggies
Strainer for making labneh, purees, and sauces
Lettuce spinner to make your salads
Measuring cups and spoons
Graters and Microplane grater zester
Hand-held citrus juicer
Small scoops for portioning ice cream or making cookies and muffins
Baskets to organize the pantry and spice cabinet
Parchment paper - baking, making sauce cones, and easier cleanup on trays for sheet pan dinners
Foil for easier grilling
Tongs for grilling, grabbing, and turning
Whisks to whip sauces and creams
Thermometer for food safety and accurate roasting
Bigger appliances
Air fryer for veggies and fries and crispy items made without frying
Instapot for soups, beans, and easy dinners
Rice cooker for grains
Mixer for baking and making whole-grain pizza dough
Blender for sauces and smoothies
Food processor for sauces
Ice cream maker for fruit sorbet
Outdoor propane grill for healthful dinners without heating the kitchen
Pots and pans
Sheet pans for sheet pan dinners and baking
Dutch oven
Soup pot or stock pot
Nonstick frying pans
Glass baking pans
Teapot
Serving dishes, cups, lunchboxes, bento boxes
Pitcher to make iced tea or water with lemons
Footed glasses for fruit/yogurt desserts
Lunchbox or bento box for taking healthier meals on the go
Smoothie cups with lids
Salad bowls to make a big serve-yourself salad for dinner
Boards for serving fruits, snacks, etc.
Kids in the kitchen
Waffle maker
Panini maker
Popcorn maker
Yogurt maker
Popsicle molds for 100% juice or yogurt
Spice mixes
Mediterranean or Italian seasoning
Cracked black pepper
Fleur de Sel or sea salt flakes
Any of your favorite mixes to make it faster and more fun
We love all of the seasonings at the Spice House, like this Lake Shore Drive
Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.
Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.
Shopping List for the Kitchen - Making Dinner Easier
The stores are boasting discounts on kitchen items this year, from tools to machines to pots. Perhaps you want to give a gift to a cook? Or do you want to stock up on equipment for your kitchen?
Our "good idea" list is to make meal prep faster, tastier, and more manageable. It is based on our test kitchen's daily use over the past year.
Small items
Vegetable peeler
Sharp knives, including paring knife and chef's knife or santoku knife
Serrated utility knife
Nonslip cutting boards that can go in the dishwasher - small enough to store but big enough to chop an onion
Nonstick silicone cooking utensils that are always ready and easy to clean
Japanese mandolin for slicing veggies very thin and even
Mixing bowls for making salads, baked items, batters
Baking mitts
Aprons - adjustable or wearable cross-back style
Colander for draining pasta, potatoes, and veggies
Strainer for making labneh, purees, and sauces
Lettuce spinner to make your salads
Measuring cups and spoons
Graters and Microplane grater zester
Hand-held citrus juicer
Small scoops for portioning ice cream or making cookies and muffins
Baskets to organize the pantry and spice cabinet
Parchment paper - baking, making sauce cones, and easier cleanup on trays for sheet pan dinners
Foil for easier grilling
Tongs for grilling, grabbing, and turning
Whisks to whip sauces and creams
Thermometer for food safety and accurate roasting
Bigger appliances
Air fryer for veggies and fries and crispy items made without frying
Instapot for soups, beans, and easy dinners
Rice cooker for grains
Mixer for baking and making whole-grain pizza dough
Blender for sauces and smoothies
Food processor for sauces
Ice cream maker for fruit sorbet
Outdoor propane grill for healthful dinners without heating the kitchen
Pots and pans
Sheet pans for sheet pan dinners and baking
Dutch oven
Soup pot or stock pot
Nonstick frying pans
Glass baking pans
Teapot
Serving dishes, cups, lunchboxes, bento boxes
Pitcher to make iced tea or water with lemons
Footed glasses for fruit/yogurt desserts
Lunchbox or bento box for taking healthier meals on the go
Smoothie cups with lids
Salad bowls to make a big serve-yourself salad for dinner
Boards for serving fruits, snacks, etc.
Kids in the kitchen
Waffle maker
Panini maker
Popcorn maker
Yogurt maker
Popsicle molds for 100% juice or yogurt
Spice mixes
Mediterranean or Italian seasoning
Cracked black pepper
Fleur de Sel or sea salt flakes
Any of your favorite mixes to make it faster and more fun
We love all of the seasonings at the Spice House, like this Lake Shore Drive
Flavored vinegar and spray oils
Handout: Shopping List for Kitchen
Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.
Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.
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