Cook, eat, drink and be merry…. for tis the Christmas season! And what better time to upgrade, swap out or add to your kitchen supplies? All in the name of simplifying and improving your cooking experience (’cause goodness knows we do more than our fare share of that this season)!
Over the years there have been some kitchen items that have ALWAYS been in my cupboard. As in literally, the exact same item. Not a newer version, because there are certain tools of the trade that just get better with time, like a cast iron skillet, don’t you think? Some items are just familiar to you and you know exactly how they feel in your hand, such as a good knife that you make sure to keep a fresh edge on.
So here are a few of my ‘can’t do withouts’!
Espresso Maker & Frother
First things first, and that’s coffee! I am a bit of a coffee snob at this stage of life thanks to several family members growing the best coffee on the planet (Kona Coffee) and I’ve had the pleasure of learning all the intricacies that go into the art of a perfectly brewed cup of coffee (or espresso if you’re me). And it is indeed an art. But more on that another day. My current best friend first thing in the morning is my Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine. This is my first advanced espresso machine that was the perfect investment for me. I don’t need a top of the line machine that costs thousands of dollars, but I also need a machine that makes darn good espresso. The built in grinder just makes it that much more fresh. It doesn’t have a lot of extra bells and whistles but it sure gets the job done, pretty easily if I do say so myself.
A nice pairing to go with the espresso is a good frother! How else are you supposed to quickly mix in all your additives (syrups) and collagen and not have lumps left in the bottom of your cup? Do yourself a solid and put one of these in your stocking this year, you won’t regret it.
Cast Iron & Pot Holders
Ok, so moving on from the coffee…. Are you even cooking if you don’t use cast iron? I think it’s highly debatable if you don’t use your cast iron at least once a day. I have a favorite 10 1/2 inch skillet that I’ve been using for years! She’s well seasoned at this point and the flavor is always perfect. I love that you don’t have to worry about what spatula you use because she’s not going to get scratched. I haven’t had the pleasure of owning a gas stove yet in my adult life but even on electric, the heat distribution is always perfect, every part of the pan is the same temperature. So go get one! And never be afraid to add to your collection. Someday I plan to have 100% cast iron pans in my cupboard. Some of the best pans can be found in antique stores but if you just want to get one today, this cast iron skillet made by Lodge comes pre-seasoned and even has a nifty scrubber brush.
One single accessory that I recommend for a cast iron skillet is a hot handle holder. This silicon one is nice and you can leave it on the pan while you’re cooking, all the easier to move your pan around as required. Just be sure you remove the handle holder when washing so that your pan’s handle doesn’t rust.
Knife Sharpener & Magnet Holder
Full disclosure up front here, the knife sharpener I’m about to say you need…. Actually, maybe your husband needs it so he can sharpen your knives for you? It’s the equivalent of a man buying a woman a shotgun, right? What’s the point of having knives if they’re not sharp???? No point. You might as well get out the plastic knives. Ok, so let’s avoid that whole scenario and circle back to the first sentence of this paragraph – you need a good knife sharpener. It just makes food prep so enjoyable to have sharp knives. This one is made by Smith, I love that it’s electric and beautifully sharpens all my straight edged knives or scissors.
Lastly, while we’re talking about knives, I store mine on a knife magnet. It’s so easy to grab whichever one you need, they all stay a lot sharper, and I don’t have to worry about little hands reaching them quite as much as I would if they were in a drawer.
Now, please go ENJOY your cooking, RELISH what you’re eating, SIP something wonderful, and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON!
