Kitchen Gadgets and other useful Items

[112toGuru]

I got to thinking about when I really changed my eating habits to include more fresh foods, fruits, vegetables, etc. and thought about what it took to make that change. I was always a little challenged that way, in the kitchen, but what really made the difference were a few items I always use now:

A great pair of serrated knives, one large for everything from apples to zucchini, and a small one I use as a paring knife.

Potato peeler, ditto, does everything but the really thick skinned squashes.

A Titan peeler (as seen on TV) peels the butternut squash like nothing else.

several mesh strainers of different sizes

pyrex mixing bowls (anything pyrex-for measuring-baking)

Hamilton Stick Blender, the whisk attachment is about useless but I can puree soups with the blender in a jif.

A good set of prep knives for chopping/mincing

Bamboo cutting boards, I think you can make anything out of bamboo, practically.

Cuisinart food processor.

My moms old copper bottom Revere Ware pots & pans, I still use the heck out of these and there a good half century old, probably more!

What kitchen tools or gadgets do you need-want-use for making healthy whole foods meals?

Linda

 

[seww]

I guess I'm old school. All I need is a sharp knife and a cutting board. I do a lot of mixing/blending with elbow grease, I'm too lazy to get out the special tools.
Sue

 

[toughYrun]

Gotta give another shout out for the Vitamix. The soups and smoothies I can make with it in a matter of minutes have really made eating the way I should much easier.

 

[banslug]

Here are some of MY fave gadgets that I use on a DAILY basis (oh, and I LOVE kitchen gadgets, lol):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007M2BN0/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
This makes PERFECT hard-boiled eggs in about 10 minutes and they are SUPER easy to peel. Seriously, I eat a LOT of egg whites, hard-cooked, and THIS gadget has saved me TONS of time and work.

http://www.amazon.com/Nuwave-20322-Digital-Controlled-Infrared-Tabletop/dp/B000KGTXFW/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1295486925&sr=1-2
This awesome for MANY reasons: I don't have to heat up my entire oven, it cooks chicken breast FROM FROZEN perfectly, easy clean up (dishwasher safe) and is a great alternative to the outdoor grill. I NEVER would have bought this for myself, but I got this as a gift a few years ago...I'm on my second one because the first one went belly up after daily use for 2 years!

http://www.amazon.com/Oster-5711-Mechanical-Food-Steamer/dp/B00073HLMU/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1295487053&sr=1-1
I've had this steamer (with a few minor differences only because of its age) for about 15 years and it's another thing I use WEEKLY, several times.

 

[kathryn]

My top kitchen gadgets:

Vitamix

Cuisinart food processor

Mason jars (for sprouting various things, storing grains/beans/seeds/nuts, and for drinking my quart-size breakfast smoothies)

Screen mason jar lids from www.sproutpeople.com (for sprouting)

Easy Sprout sprouter (works best for garbanzos, lentils, mung beans and peas)

Pump 'n Seal hand pump (http://pump-n-seal.com/ ) A simple device that makes storing grains, beans, seeds, nuts, etc.im Mason jars a snap.

Bamboo cutting boards

Large plastic cutting board (to put over my stove to use as extra counter space when I'm doing a lot of raw food prep and not cooking)

Chop 'n chop shears (kind of like scissors, but used to chop things like herbs, celery, onions, make guacamole and salsa, etc.)

Spriralizer (for making zucchini 'pasta')

Good knives (ceramic and stainless steel)

OXO salad spinner and mini salad spinner (for drying greens, sprouts and herbs)

Water distiller and Pur water pitcher (Both turn rather murky and questionable tap water into clear water)

Craft-fair purchased ceramic bowls (soup-bowl size and large salad bowl size): they add to the aesthetics of prepping and eating.

 

[112toGuru]

Thanks for the replies, always looking out for new things to try.

Sue, true, sometimes cleaning up all the tools takes as much time as preparing the food! I think I couldn't make hummus or some soups without the food processor or immersion blender, I'm sure they've paid for themselves.

Elaine, have been reading about the Vitamix, because of the above two items have trouble parting with the $, sounds though from all the reviews here that it's a winner.

Gayle, I have an old Nesco crock pot that roasts from frozen - I totally get how convenient that is, actually was looking for a replacement at X-time, thanks so much for the links. I will definitely look at the steamer too.

Kathyrn, would sprout seeds (and dry mushrooms) if I could do it without the mold I seem to grow so well! Seriously should have been a scientist, cultures I can do....pump & seal? that sounds great! The OXO salad spinner is also a must have.

Thank you all.
Linda

 

[kathryn]

Kathryn, would sprout seeds (and dry mushrooms) if I could do it without the mold I seem to grow so well!

Adding some food-grade hydrogen peroxide to the soaking and rinsing water helps keep mold at bay (large seeds, like garbanzos, are notorious for growing mold because they heat up so much, so I just grow them in winter, using H2O2 in all but the last rinse).

 

[Katerchen]

My life is easier because of

A breadmaker to knead the bread dough only http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XVUAOU/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

a Kitchenaid manual chopper

a deep fryer (fries just aren't the same baked)

a brick oven for bread, pizza, cast iron cooking (http://www.wildwoodovens.com)

a convection toaster oven

the complete collection of WMF kitchen knives

electric water kettle