As I get back into cooking, I’m struck by what tools make the process easy for me. Here are a few things I’ve been relying on lately.
Slow-cooker
I use this at least once a week. While I can’t count on having time to prepare a multi-course meal, I can usually find time to put ingredients into the slow-cooker and walk away. On Sundays I’ll make a batch of steel-cut oats with almond milk, although the fruits vary from week to week. I take this to work, reheat, and add walnuts for an easy, affordable, healthy breakfast. The one thing I’d change? My slow-cooker doesn’t have a timer function.
Electric kettle
I grew up with stovetop whistling tea kettles, and kept using them for most of my adult life (so far). But a few years ago I got a countertop electric kettle, and I like it so much better. It heats up faster and doesn’t take up a burner on the stove.
Blender
I don’t use this a lot–but Mr. Sandwich doesn’t care for chunky tomatoes, so the blender ensures that sauces are smooth. I also like the immersion blender my brother and sister-in-law gave me a few years ago; while I started using it to make Baguette’s baby food, it’s terrific for blended soups. It doesn’t fill all needs–I could probably use a Cuisinart, but right now I’m not sure where I’d store it in between uses. I’ll get one when I figure that out.
Trader Joe’s Pop-Up Sponges
Cleaning up is part of the cooking process, after all. They last better than mass-market sponges and take longer to get smelly, and they just feel better in my hand. I started buying this type of sponge from Williams-Sonoma, but the ones at Trader Joe’s are much, much cheaper. And apparently they’re compostable, too.
What about you? What are your favorite kitchen appliances and tools?