Experiment! Must haves for busy home cooks to help with meal prep efficiently, like a pro with reviews and cooking tips.
1. KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer
When designing this tool, they thought of everything! Definitely a must-have. It easily fits extra large lemons, collects the seeds, and has its strainer and spout to pour out! You can squeeze multiple lemons quickly while preserving the lemon juice in its reservoir. Prepping for my Frozen Watermelon Lemonade recipe was a breeze. Very convenient with fewer materials to clean afterward.
2. BergKoch Splatter Screen for Frying Pan
Oh yes! One of my biggest helpers in the kitchen is the splatter screen. You’ve probably seen in one of my videos where I have two round red spots on my hand. That was thanks to good old kitchen oil that popped from a hot pan. It was the day I didn’t use my splatter guard. Silly me. And that’s why it has become one of my must-haves. I got the 13-inch one to fit most of my pots and pans. Watch me use it in action while making my Butternut Squash Chicken Chili recipe.
3. KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper
Another item that earned its space among the must-haves. At a reasonable price, this food processor has made kitchen life so much easier. Made by the trusted KitchenAid company, you know this will last a long time in addition to having essential features. It is so easy to clean, and I like the fact that you press down on the lid at the hand to chop quickly. And I’ve noticed others loving it for its power, being lightweight and compact, doesn’t take up too much room in your kitchen. Especially if you like to cook like me with so many gadgets, that is super helpful. Watch me use it in action for my Spicy Tomato Farro Risotto with Shrimp, Mushrooms and Peas and Chili Herb Crusted Rainbow Trout with Cannellini Beans, Spinach, Mushrooms, and Tomatoes recipe.
4. KitchenAid Classic Bamboo Spatula
With thick handles, it is easy to grip. KitchenAid products are durable, so I have trusted them for years. This silicone isn't stiff so side bowls can be scrapped easily. And the versatility of them is great, and I can use them to mix cold items in a bowl or sauté hot items in the sauté pan. It was the right size for my food processor when making my Spicy Zhug Feta Cheese Hummus.
Moreover, I was pleased to find it came with two in a set, a must-have that allowed for greater flexibility, from sauteeing to scrapping the KitchenAid mixer bowl—definitely a bang for your hard-working bucks. You can also choose from a variety of colors. And this pistachio color is lovely.
5. Lodge Pre-Seasoned 6-½-Inch Skillet
I recently used this must-have cast iron pan to make my Harissa Egg Toast with Feta Cheese and Olive Oil breakfast dish. It’s a straight-to-the-point well, made cast iron skillet. Honestly, how can you go wrong with Lodge?! Add cast iron pans to your kitchen collection. They are the best in heat retention, beautifully searing meat, fish, and browning vegetables!
6. Microplane Classic Zester Grater
Over the past decade, this Microplane has been and still is my favorite! My replacement was once when someone came to borrow it in the kitchen and left it next to an open flame! And it scorched the metal. Honestly, it worked great, but I was young and concerned about aesthetics. Go figure! This was a professional kitchen staple. You can use it to enhance the citrus flavor and presentation of foods, from pureed soups to beautiful French custards, just like my Spicy Green Kale Lentil Soup which has a delicious lemon broth. It’s the original, and it’s my must-have go-to item.
7. PAUDIN 7", High Carbon Stainless Santoku Knife
This knife is well-made. Super solid and multi-functional. It is made with high-carbon steel, so it will not rust. Slicing meat like fish is easier with the grooves. It doesn’t stick to the knife. The handle has an excellent grip, and it's not heavy.
8. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill
I use this must-have air fryer practically every day! Most of my recipes call for it. It is quick and easy to use. Also, it’s multifunctional with not only the air fryer option but also a roast, grill, back, and even a dehydrating function. Setting the time and temperature is easy with soft apparent button features. The parts are easy to remove for cleaning and dishwasher safe. Plus, it comes with an easy-to-read guide and mini cookbook for ideas. See the results with my Air Fryer Branzino with Lemon Potatoes and Vegetables recipe.
9. Asvel Rice Container Bin with Pour Spout
I love these rice storage containers for five reasons: (1) It has a large, easy-to-read measuring cup. (2) They are slim and ideal for storing several of them. Let’s just say I love rice! (3) The handle makes holding easier with a good grip. (4) The rice stays fresh thanks to the rubber seal and clamps. (5) Oh yeah, they hold 4 pounds of rice each.
10. Mantah Chalkboard Label Stickers 96pcs
My kitchen became so easy to organize thanks to these reusable waterproof labels. As a cook, I love transferring my ingredients into air-tight containers so that they are fresh. Labels like these helped identify what's inside. There are two different chalk markers and tons of labels inside. It’s more bang for your buck. Plus, stickers are easy to peel without the annoying outline, so they aren't wasted. There are so many options you won't run out of them for a long time.
11. Italian Glass Vinegar & Olive Oil Dispenser With Stainless Steel
This is definitely a chef’s and home cook’s staple in the kitchen. My top reasons to get these are: (1) Keep your oils organized! Since they are slim, they are easy to store on the counter. (2) There are no funky labels on them, so you can see exactly how much you have left. (3) They are effortless to fill and grip when cooking on the fly. Keep them right next to the stove without problems. (4) You will notice many of my recipes call for either olive oil or avocado oil. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, which is excellent for cooking with high heat, such as grilling. Additionally, both oils are beneficial for your health. Therefore, organizing them this way allows me to use them conveniently and frequently.
12. iDesign Lineo BPA-Free Flexible Silicone Soap and Sponge Tray
Even though it says "...soap and sponge tray," I use one as a utensil rester when cooking. It can hold multiple utensils, and I throw it in the dishwasher when it becomes dirty. This extremely durable material has been washed several times with no changes in color or form, with no chips or cracks. In addition, you get two in the same pack. So, of course, I use the other one for my hand soap and dish sponge.
13. Tuilful Portion Scoop Set of 3
I actually use these to portion out my Lemon Pine Nuts Turkey Meatballs. They are simple and straight to the point. Additionally, they come in three different portion sizes. This tool is useful when making meal prep in bulk when you can measure out items such as rice and salads, like tuna salad. It is also excellent for portioning cookie dough or scooping ice cream. Plus, they are stainless still and won’t rust. They'll last you for a long time.
15. Fotouzy Plastic Colored Cutting Board
Wow! These are really cool! It adheres well to granite surfaces. I use the “yellow chicken,” “green banana,” and “red cow” very often! Chicken means raw poultry, banana means fruit, and cow is raw red meat. The other colors are used respectively. I have a wooden cutting board and don’t want any of the raw juices seeping into the wood. So when dealing with raw meat juices or when I don’t want a garlicky banana, I use these must-have boards to prevent cross-contamination. Just place a sheet of damp paper towel underneath. They are easy to clean and easily stored due to their flexible material. You can watch me use it in my Chicken Prepping post in Cook's Notebook.
16. Ahyuan Roll-up Dish Drying Rack
The multipurpose kitchen must-have allows you to create more counter space. Stainless steel rods held securely with BPA-Free silicone. That means you can put it in the dishwasher. And it stores easily. Roll it up and put it away when you are done. I’ve used it to lay out all of my produce when prepping and even to dry big pots and pans. And I use it to dry my flexible plastic cutting boards by placing them vertically in the slots.
17. Pyrex 2-Cup Glass Measuring Cup
Pyrex is such a must-have household name in America that you can't go wrong. You will enjoy this for years to come. And it’s easy to read with double-sided measurements in metrics and ounces. Plus, it is made of glass, so you can microwave it, especially when recipes call for melted butter. Simple has always been their goal. Even the handle is part of the mold, so it will not break off, and has a spout for easy pouring.
