Some people are kitchen dwellers because they love to cook and others prepare out of necessity. As the mom of two teenagers with voracious appetites I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Sometimes I don't love it, but having nice kitchen tools and accessories makes that time much more enjoyable! Mother's Day is just around the corner (followed by many other gift giving opportunities) so I thought I would share a list of some of my favorite kitchen sidekicks...
1) 5.5 Quart Milo Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
At a fraction of the cost of Le Creuset or Staub, this gorgeous dutch oven performs just as well, comes in a range of beautiful colors and is perfect for everything from bread to soup.
2) Future Folk Supply Co. Candles
I typically like my kitchen to smell like the delicious dish I'm preparing, but there are certain foods that make it smell less than desirable. Future Folk's thoughtful scents conjure fond memories and enhance your space. These candles are hand poured in Oregon in small batches using USA grown, non-GMO soy wax, cotton wicks and a blend of high quality essential oils. No phthalates, no parabens, no petroleum...just good smells. I'm obsessed with them all but Salty Sailor is my absolute fav.
Sure, as the owner of the company I'm clearly biased, but this is a great gift for any cook! Sharp knives make life in the kitchen faster and safer. Not to mention shipping, tracking and insurance are included, we repair chips and broken tips for free AND we are the only knife sharpening service that offers loaners while you wait. Did I mention we have gift cards?
4) The reBoard
Don't get me wrong, I love my wood cutting boards. But there is something to be said for a work surface that can go in the dishwasher. Material's reBoard is BPA-free and made from 75% recycled plastic and 25% renewable sugarcane. There are several fun colors to choose from and they also have a mini size.
I've had the pleasure of driving down the gravel road, leading to the property, where Jacobsen Salt is harvested. I've seen their process and can tell you with great certainty that you want these salts in your life. Or really anything they make (when I die, please bury me in a vat of their salted caramels). The Rosemary is what potatoes daydream about and the Habanero really shines on the rim of a margarita glass.
Although we have a rack full of knives, my Santoku is the one I grab the most. It's well balanced and the thin taper is perfect for everything from veggies to meat. Messermeister is a woman-owned company out of California and their knives never disappoint. Plus, look at the beautiful handle!
When I first started cooking, if you would have told me that my favorite way to perfectly prepare a steak was to slowly cook it in a warm bath, I would have pulled an Arnold Jackson. Sous vide (pronounced sue-veed) is an absolute dream to own. The circulating water guarantees an even consistency and it's virtually impossible to overcook something. Not only does it produce perfect meat and eggs it's SO easy. The Anova is great and I also like the Joule.
8) Tea Towels
Kitchen towels service a million purposes in our house. They tackle not only the obvious dish and hand drying but they also cover bread, carry casserole dishes and spin lettuce outside after washing. Although they are purchased to be utilitarian, doesn't it make you happy when they are pretty? I'm obsessed with all the pretty prints from Gingiber.
Some flavored olive oils get it wrong and taste sadly artificial. This is not the case with Brightland. Enhanced with only real ingredients and stored in a UV-coated glass bottle, this set of chili, garlic, lemon and basil will add the perfect touch to any dish. Plus, the beautiful artwork is just begging to be out on the counter.
Until next time,
Knifey Wifey