Cooking Tools You Need

There are a few key kitchen tools that can make your experience better, which in turn can increase the time you want to spend cooking. When starting out, it might be hard to determine what's necessary - so below is our list of top key tools you need in your kitchen.

Cast Iron Pan (And how to use it)

I originally pulled the trigger on buying a cast iron pan because there is some data to say it's a good way to get a little more iron into your diet, and I wanted to give blood at the time - as a vegetarian for over ten years, this is a key concern for me, although my iron levels have never been too low, they have occasionally stopped me from giving blood.

Rubber Spatula

Finding the perfect rubber spatula is difficult. You don't want it too big, or else it won't scrape bowls as well and won't fit into jars. 

Once you do find the perfect rubber spatula, you'll have a multipurpose tool you'll likely use almost every day - scraping the last bits of batter from bowls, scraping jars clean, and able to mix, scrape, and give you consistency when mixing that's hard to get with solid tools.

Solid Set of Measuring Cups & Spoons

A set of metal measuring cups and spoons will be with you for a long time. Plastic ones do tend to break after some use, especially after sending through the dishwasher a few thousand times.

Solid cutting knives (Knife sharpening)

A sharp, solid cutting knife will also be a daily use tool - a good knife will feel balanced in your hand, and will remain sharp for a while. Sharp knives are much safer than dull ones, as they won't slip off of you food when cutting.

Wood cutting board (NO glass)

If you do have a glass cutting board, go ahead and give it away or toss it. 

Glass cutting boards will dull your knives quickly, and may even chip your knives

Large Oven Mitts (Covering forearm)

Okay, you only learn this lesson one time - having large, quality oven mitts can mean the difference between getting a nice scar on your arm or pulling your food out of the oven safely.

Set of Kitchen Scissors 

Kitchen Scissors are used to open an assortment of things, and having a pair at the ready can alleviate the hunt for a pair.

Blender

A good blender is a vital kitchen gadget, used for smoothies, purees, pestos, sauces, salsas, and more. 

My partner and many others swear on Vitamix - personally I have a Ninja that's actually held up well over many years.

Vegetable Peeler

Cocktail Shaker

Somewhat surprisingly, a cocktail shaker I also use almost daily. Shaken iced teas, shaken lemonades, and shaken iced coffees are my two go-to no-calorie beverages.