5 More Kitchen Tools I Love

I did a post a few weeks ago on 5 of my favorite kitchen gadgets, but I knew I couldn't stop there. Here are 5 more tools I use (and love) in my kitchen:

1. These gorgeous knives: I've had this Farberware Resin 3-Piece Set for over a year now, and still adore it. At the time I just needed a decent, affordable set of knives to hold me over until I could splurge on something more substantial, but they are holding up better than expected. It's fun to have knives as colorful as the vegetables they are chopping, and the resin coating is standing the test of time. Bonus: they come with individual sheaths to spare you from accidental cuts when storing them in a drawer.
   
   
2. This enormous measuring cup: I was just looking for a regular 2-cup measuring cup when I stumbled upon this massive 8-cup one, and then I realized how often I'm measuring in quantities larger than 2 cups. So I bought both this one and a smaller one, and I no longer need to refill my little cups when I'm working with big portions. 
   
3. The most versatile funnel: This 4-piece set can be adapted to any of your needs, and it's crazy awesome. I love to use all three funnel pieces when I'm making almond milk, so I can squeeze the nut milk from the bag right into a tiny bottle. The uses are endless. And bonus: it comes with a strainer attachment! Betcha didn't know funnels could be this good.
   
4. This fancy corkscrew: My first corkscrew was cheap and seemed to destroy my wine corks or not fit over the bottle half the time. I decided it was time to find something more sophisticated, and  this one is the best deal around. It has a built-in blade to perfectly remove the foil at the top of the bottle, and then all you do is position the corkscrew over the top of the bottle and rotate the handle. In one motion it grabs the cork and removes it, flawlessly every time. It's a bit hit at parties.

5. This bamboo kitchen tool set: I love to cook with wooden spoons and spatulas. They are sturdy like metal, but soft like plastic, yet they won't melt or scratch the pan. I got this set about a year ago, and it's fantastic. Very easy to use and clean. 

All images from Amazon.com

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5 of my most-used kitchen gadgets

The more I cook, the more unique cooking gadgets seem to accumulate in my kitchen. Some have been impulse purchases for which the novelty has worn off over time, and others have become essential tools in my kitchen arsenal. This post will focus on the latter: my favorite kitchen gadgets that I can't live without.

My five well-worn gadgets of the day.

1. Mandoline slicer: If you do a lot of chopping and don't have a mandoline slicer yet, take a moment to ponder how much precious free time you have wasted on unevenly slicing vegetables. Don't worry, I didn't know what I was missing either. I bought my first mandoline slicer about 4 or 5 years ago when I decided to start making veggie chips and needed a super-thin, even cut. The one I bought has 6 settings, ranging from thick to super-thin slices, 
   as well as two mandoline cuts. I use it for everything. Beware of cuts, however, and consider investing in some cut-resistant gloves if you're clumsy like me (and refuse to use the included finger guard). Here's a link to the latest version of the mandoline slicer I bought (pictured below being dangerously used by me).



My mandoline slicer in action while I made Quinoa Taboulleh

2. Handheld juicer: So many recipes call for lemon or lime juice, and nothing beats fresh squeezed. A handheld juice press is the most efficient, simple option for juicing citrus fruits in small quantities, so it's a must have. I have this one, which is really affordable, but if you can afford to splurge, this fancy one looks like it can squeeze out every last drop.
   
   

   

   My juicer in action

3. Nut milk bag: Did you catch my recent #TBT post on making your own nut milk? If you want to get serious about making homemade milks, a nut milk bag is the only way to go. You can try to drain your milk with cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer, but that will either leave some liquid behind or a grainy texture in the milk (ick!). But with a nut milk bag, you can easily squeeze all of the milk you created, leaving all of the pulp behind. The experience is oddly similar to milking a cow, which I've never actually done, but I imagine this is the vegan equivalent. If that description wasn't too weird for you, check out this affordable nut milk bag and try it for yourself.

   

   My nut milk bag

4. Mini blender: For blending jobs too small to warrant the use of a blender or food processor, there is nothing quite like a mini blender. Cleanup is easy and the uses are endless. Most come with both a blending and grinding blade, and several differently sized cups. I have the Magic Bullet, but hear great things about the Nutri Bullet as well.

   

   My mini blender making the dressing for Quinoa Taboulleh

5. Goggles: I've been using goggles to chop onions way before Phil did it on modern family. My eyes are extremely sensitive and no other trick has worked to keep them tear-free while I cook. I use a pair of regular swim goggles, but you can buy Phil's fancy onion goggles here. 

   

   Proof that I am a nerd.

There you have it. Five things my kitchen would be incomplete without. I could write a book on my favorite cooking gadgets, however, so look for many more posts on this topic!

What are your cooking essentials? Let me know in the comments!

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Super Mario Mushroom Flower

I mean, COME ON. This can't just be my inner nintendo nerd's imagination.

Last week I was hiking around Rodeo Cove in Marin with some friends, and spotted the most incredible flower growing on the cliffside. 

Remind you of anything?

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