I recently bought a kitchen gadget that I don't need, but now that I have it I love it! I was wondering what other little things people have in their kitchen drawers that has become an essential 'tool of the trade' that you never thought you would need.
Over spring break, I was cooking at other people's houses and realized things that I have that other people don't. Even small things like a potato masher! I was making banana bread, and I never realized how handy a potato masher came in. (have you ever tried mashing bananas with a spoon? LOL!) Also, my full sized food processor. I got
I have one of those pampered chef drink containers that you just use the "plunger" to mix up your drinks (like Crystal Light and Kool Aid) SUCH an unnecessary item. I really could just stir things. But...we love it! Use it all the time and just give it a fresh "plunge" before pouring a drink.
I also have one of their microplane tools that I love. I could use a plain one, but this one is a bit fancier and you can put little things down in the holder (like nutmeg) to grate it w/out grating your fingers.
I totally know what you mean! Cooking at my IL's is always interesting, as they don't cook much and I am always surprised by what they *don't* have that I consider essentials--like decent knives, a cooling rack, and the like.
I think my favorite thing that I use all the time but that many people probably don't use is my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer. It was by far my favorite wedding gift, and I don't know how I ever lived without it!
Your "mashing bananas with a spoon" made me laugh. I usually use a pastry cutter, or sometimes a fork. :o)
My new little gadget is a 'soft skin peeler'.
Over spring break, I was cooking at other people's houses and realized things that I have that other people don't. Even small things like a potato masher! I was making banana bread, and I never realized how handy a potato masher came in. (have you ever tried mashing bananas with a spoon? LOL!) Also, my full sized food processor. I got
I have one of those pampered chef drink containers that you just use the "plunger" to mix up your drinks (like Crystal Light and Kool Aid) SUCH an unnecessary item. I really could just stir things. But...we love it! Use it all the time and just give it a fresh "plunge" before pouring a drink.
I also have one of their microplane tools that I love. I could use a plain one, but this one is a bit fancier and you can put little things down in the holder (like nutmeg) to grate it w/out grating your fingers.
I have 3 microplanes that all get lots of use, but I think of those as essential items at this point!
My biggest gadget indulgence is the fancy rice cooker with timer.
I totally know what you mean! Cooking at my IL's is always interesting, as they don't cook much and I am always surprised by what they *don't* have that I consider essentials--like decent knives, a cooling rack, and the like.
I think my favorite thing that I use all the time but that many people probably don't use is my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer. It was by far my favorite wedding gift, and I don't know how I ever lived without it!
Your "mashing bananas with a spoon" made me laugh. I usually use a pastry cutter, or sometimes a fork. :o)
Mine would be very similiar to yours.
Meredith