It’s certainly not the bathroom. The bedroom is great, but it’s more intimate and personal—not the center of activity and entertaining. The living room is a top contender. But there’s one room that shines out above them all: the kitchen. That’s where food is prepared, meals are prepped, and good smells abound. It’s the place to create, curate, and cook. How can you best honor your kitchen? By having the best kitchen essentials possible. The better your set-up, the more likely you’ll be to craft an amazing meal or invite guests over for a dinner party. In this guide, we highlight some can’t-do-withouts. Keep reading to make sure you have them all!
1. Make Dips, Salsa, and More With a Food Processor
A food processor makes everything easier. If you’ve ever wanted restaurant-style sauces or dips in the comfort of your home, this is how you do it—not by laboriously cutting every ingredient to the nth degree. Some of the many things you can make with a food processor include:
Dressings Remoulades Tzaziki Hummus Salsas Tahini
And much, much more. Give it a whirl—literally.
2. Cut Everything From Veggies to Meat With a Chef’s Knife
A sharp, high-quality kitchen knife means the difference between a dull, difficult cutting session and an easy, like-butter one. You might not even realize how much better you could have it—but the second your hands cut a piece of steak with a chef’s knife, you’ll realize there’s no turning back. From chopping veggies to cutting your favorite sandwich in half, there’s no better way to do it than with a chef’s knife. If you choose to invest in one of these (albeit) expensive products, make sure to buy the sharpening device, too, so you can give it that edge it needs any time it dulls down.
3. Cook With Cast Iron or Ceramic Pots and Pans
Both cast iron and ceramic pots and pans are game-changers when it comes to cooking at home. They’re non-stick, non-reactive, and healthier than common alternatives like Teflon or aluminum. With those types of products, you could be scraping the pot’s material right into tonight’s dinner. Ceramic and cast iron also hold their heat for long periods of time and can be used on the stove, in the oven, over the fire, and more!
4. Package It up With Pyrex Containers
Love your Tupperware? Well, we’re here to tell you there’s a better choice: glassware. If you invest in a set of Pyrex dishes, you’ll never have to reuse the takeout containers from your local Chinese place over and over. Instead, you’ll have the gift that keeps on giving. Pyrex is dishwasher-friendly, stovetop-friendly, oven-friendly, and more. Keep your leftovers right where you put them; simply place the Pyrex dish over the stove and watch your food reheat to life. You can thank us later!
5. For That Finishing Touch: A Pepper Grinder
Fresh-cracked pepper is another game-changer on this list. Sure, finely-ground pepper that’s already packaged is convenient and easy. But when you start using a pepper grinder to get those coarser grounds on your food as a finishing touch, you’ll know what we mean. Whether it’s a salad, a slice of avocado toast, a sandwich, or a steak, you can’t go wrong by sprinkling a little fresh-cracked pepper on there. Every once in a while, you’ll get a bigger chunk of pepper in your bite, and voila! Enjoy that spicy goodness!
6. A (Full) Spice Rack
And speaking of spices . . . Take your food from “blah” to “banging” with a fully-stocked spice rack. What should you stock yours with? Well, that depends on your tastes. In general, some good starter spices include salt and pepper, garlic powder, something spicy (like cayenne, chili powder, or both!), smokey paprika, cumin . . . and the rest is up to you. If you’re into Meditteranean food, consider adding some za’atar and oregano. If you like Middle Eastern cuisine, you’ll need nutmeg and cardamom, among many others. Whatever your preferences, keep that spice rack within its best-by date and enjoy all the flavors you’ll create.
7. Simple but Necessary: A Can Opener
Have you ever shopped for your entire grocery list with a fantastic meal in mind, only to come home and realize you had no way of, well, opening your ingredients? Don’t let this situation happen to you. Trust us—it’s mildly frustrating. Instead, make sure you have a properly-working can opener on-hand at all times. It might sound silly, but invest in a high-quality one, as the cheaper alternatives can go rogue after a few uses.
8. Use Measuring Cups
A pinch here, a dash there, a cup, or two, or three, there? Yeah—some people are whizzes at measuring with their eyes. But in certain cases, such as baking, the exact measurements are a make-or-break difference, in which case you’ll need measuring cups. Get a full set that has everything from 1/8 of a teaspoon up to a cup.
Do You Have These Kitchen Essentials? Make Your Momma Proud and Get Them Today!
You can’t cook a fantastic meal without the right tools. Similarly, you can’t meal prep if you have little more than the ingredients themselves. Simply put: you can’t have a kitchen and not have these kitchen essentials; they’re called essentials for a reason! It’s also worth noting that this list certainly isn’t exhaustive, so feel free to add to it depending on how often you’re whipping up meals. You might also need items like a fancy cutting board, a juicer, a blender—the list goes on. So, place your order today and begin making your kitchen the best one yet. And while you’re excitedly waiting for your packages to arrive, keep scrolling our page. We’ve got all the advice you need to make your house a home.
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