It’s that time of year! The holidays have rolled in, and the end of the year is nearing us. If you’re a last minute shopper like me, then you’re probably not even thinking about Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever you may celebrate gifts. Yes, I’m one of those crazies who are at the mall the weekend before Christmas doing a mad dash getting last minute gifts and getting upset because I can’t find things I want to give to people. This year, I told myself that’s all going to change. It’s unnecessary stress that I can easily avoid. Also, I am taken full advantage of shopping online because if I can avoid the mall during this time of year, I will happily oblige. This week I wanted to share my ultimate kitchen must-have gift guide.
As a food blogger, I love receiving gifts that will help me in the kitchen. One year I asked for a George Foreman grill from my Secret Santa that my family does every year. I still use that bad boy and it’s one of my favorite gifts. These kitchen items are things I think everyone should have whether you’re a food blogger, someone who loves to cook or someone who’s beginning to cook. Having the right tools can really make the cooking experience so much fun and as stress free as possible!
1. Lodge cast iron 12″ skillet – every foodie should have one in their kitchen. It can be used on a stove, in the oven or even on your grill!
2. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Open Skillet – this is a great alternative to a cast iron. Cast iron’s require a lot of care, but most stainless steel skillets can go into a dishwasher for cleanup. You’ll still get a good sear on your meats, and it’s also oven safe.
3. Checkered Chef Baking Rack – once I got a baking rack, my roasting game changed, especially when I make my Paleo Buffalo Chicken Tenders. You don’t think you need one until you get one, and then you’ll be roasting all of the things on it.
4. Lodge Cast Iron 5qt Dutch Oven – I have an affinity for cast iron anything, and this dutch oven is right up there with “you don’t think you need one until you have one.” You can also get an enameled cast iron dutch oven, but I like everything to match in my kitchens I have this one. This is great for large batches of soup or even roasted a whole bird in it.
5. Spiralizer – it took me a really long time to invest in an actual spiralizer (not the hand held one) and my veggie game has changed.
6. Immersion Blender – I recently got one, and have been using it ever since. It’s a definite must-have in the kitchen. I’ve used it to blend soups, make homemade mayo and dressings.
7. Silicon ice cube tray – I use mine to freeze my homemade broth and I also like use it to freeze oil with herbs when my herbs are starting to go bad.
8. Kitchen shears – very necessary and if you don’t have a pair, get one for yourself as well.
9. Mandoline – the perfect tool if you want even thinly sliced veggies and fruits.
10. Meat thermometer – when I first started cooking, I’d use my meat thermometer for everything, especially chicken. My worse fear was getting salmonella. This is also a great for meat and pork.
11. Pyrex glass containers – these are perfect for storing food and meal prepping. I love glass containers because they are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe.
12. Mason jars – I always recommend getting the wide mouth mason jars if you’re going to make things like mayo and dressings. This will ensure your immersion blender fits into the mason jar. These are also great for pickling or soups to-go.
13. Mortar and Pestle – I love my mortar and pestle. I grew up using one, and prefer it over a food processor. I love grinding my spices and herbs in it. It’s also great for guacamole and salsa!
14. Microplane grate – another must-have in the kitchen. I use mine to zest my lemons and grate things like: ginger, garlic, nutmeg and etc.
15. Reversible grill/griddle – this item is another “you don’t think you need one until you have one.” I don’t have a grill and this reversible grill/griddle has been a life saver when I’m craving grilled meats and veggies. The griddle side is also perfect for things like pancakes and bacon!
16. Le Creuset Dish – I don’t care what anyone says, but every kitchen should have at least one Le Creuset item. I love this au gratin dish for things like my bbq ranch chicken dip and casseroles. It’s so pretty you can serve straight from it.
17. Avocado and veggie saver – okay, before you roll your eyes at me, hear me out. I was gifted an avocado saver, and it’s amazing. I use it all.the.damn.time. I loved my avocado saver so much, I got an onion saver too. These would make great stocking stuffers!
18. Cookbook stand – I’m a firm believer that cookbooks will never go out of style. Having a cookbook stand has allowed my cookbooks to be smudge and spillage free.
19. Cookie scoop – I’m not a baker by any means, but I do use this scoop for meatballs. This scoop makes uniformed sized meatballs (or cookies) which means even cooking.
20. Waffle maker – waffle makers are no longer just for waffles. I actually use mine more than I actually realize. I use for potato hashes, eggs, and whatever else can fit into it.
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