ic Kathe With an E: My Favorite Kitchen Tools

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

My Favorite Kitchen Tools

I believe that, if you love to cook like I do, 
then your tools are just as important to you 
as a mechanic or carpenters tools are to their trades.
Tools that you are comfortable with, 
and make the job easier,
make creating a meal or special treat for family and friends fun instead of a chore.

Today I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite tools.
 
First up is my wooden spatula. 
As you can tell, it is used and abused. And loved.   
I use it every. single. day.  
If it were to ever break or get misplaced, why I don't know what I'd do!  
It would be like loosing a dear friend.
Next would be my chef knife.
It is a part of one of those sets you get that sit in a block
on your counter. 
We got the set when we moved into the house about 8 years ago.
 The set has many knives but this is truly my favorite.
It dices right through onions, apples, potatoes, frozen meat etc.
I have really put it to the test and it has never failed me.
I still have all 10 fingers.
A good knife does not have to be expensive.
Just find the one that feels right in your hand.
The weight and grip on this one fits me perfectly.

Note: Never, ever, ever put your good knifes
in the dishwasher!  The detergent is caustic and will
dull the blade! 
Dull blades are dangerous which is why I have this:
 My trusty knife sharpener.
 Every couple of weeks I will run my knife through this about 20 times.
It's awesome at sharpening!
I got mine at a restaurant supply house but,
we found one for Mr. B's mom at Ace Hardware too.
I do all of my veggie cutting and chopping on
this wood cutting board Mr. B got for me for Christmas one year.
I use a cheapy plastic cutting board for meat.

Never put meat on a wooden board!
The wood just soaks up those nasty juices and holds on to them.
Not good!

Every month or so I will give the board a good cleaning with
baking soda, coarse salt and water.
Mix into a paste and rub it over the board good.
Rinse, let dry and then season with food grade mineral oil
(I found mine at Bed Bath & Beyond).
Never use vegetable type oils.
They will go rancid. 
Again, not good!
 Under the wooden cutting board sits a nice thick
square piece of marble left by the previous homeowners.
I use this for rolling out pie and cookie dough.
Marble stays at a cool constant temperature,
perfect for pastry!
I love my Sunbeam mixers!
Did you know that they are actually more powerful than the 
Kitchen- Aid mixers?
The only downside is, you don't have the option of attachments.
That's fine with me. I've never had cause to need any of them.
And, they are too expensive anyway for my thrifty ways.
The hand mixer even has a cute little drawer
to keep all of the different beaters in.
The stand mixer is the only kitchen appliance, save our Keruig,
that stays on the counter 24/7/365
 
This baby mixes up Grandma's Gingersnap Cookies all day long like a champ!
It never over heats and justs keeps beating and beating and beating!

Now, let's get to cooking shall we!
I admit it, I am a BIG fan
of Calphalon!
I love how sturdy the products are, whether they be 
stainless or non stick.
I have had this Calphalon skillet FOREVER!
And,
it still looks pretty good.
This puppy gets used just about every day too.
 I'm also a fan of my Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch ovens!
I have the 5 quart and a 3 quart size.
I swear when I got my first one, the 5 quart,
it totally made me a better cook!
I cannot imagine making Chicken & Dumplings for Mr. B
in anything else!
Oh and, Made In America and, 
waaaay cheaper than those French ones I can't pronounce,
and seriously, just as heavy duty.
Of course, we all love our crockpots!
I've had my Rival for years and it gets used
a lot!  I'd say at least twice a week.
And of course, it makes a danged fine Pork Chili too!
Last up in my tool box is, 
my Cuisinart Electric Pressure Cooker.
 Now to be honest, I've always been afraid of pressure cookers.
You always hear stories about them exploding etc.
Not now my friends!
This electric pressure cooker has changed my life!
This sucker cooks up, fall off the bone ribs in less than half an hour!
Cold day?  Need some comfort food but the couch and blankie too cozy for you?
How 'bout you whip a hearty, tender beef stew (using the cheapest meat in the store)
before that couch can even get cold?
Or, say the family wants something different for dessert?
In the time it takes to pour them a bowl of cereal,
you can place a bowl of hot and steamy rice pudding in front of them!
Who's the hero? YOU!
 Well, it would be you if you had one of these fancy-dancy 
machines!

So, there you have it.
My very favorite tools in my kitchen.
What about you? 
What is your go to, can't live without it, ain't no dinner cuz I lost it tool?


Click here to see where I may be partying this week.
AND
Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for the link party.


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45 comments:

  1. Oh Kathe! So many of your fav tools are mine too! Actually, I've never used a pressure cooker, but you sure make me want to try! Just in case you're feeling generous...my b-day is Sunday ;).

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  2. Yes, I love my crock pot and my stand mixer and my good knives, too. Where would we be without them. xo

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  3. I love your wooden spoon, very well loved. I love my crockpot also and I have a great set of knives. I did not know about the Lodge cast iron cookware...I would love to get my daughter one. She cooks way more then I do! I have a new Calphalon pan coming thanks to that great gift card I won! Can't wait to show you, it just shipped! Hoping to get it soon~
    hugs, Linda

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  4. I agree that good tools in the kitchen are very important. I love my wooden spoons and spatula, my kitchen aid mixer, my Cutco chopping knife and paring knife, good pots and pans and flexible cutting boards (separate ones labeled for meat, poultry, veggies,and fish). I also like a good coffee maker and a grinder. Like you, I don't have the French version of the enameled cast iron Dutch oven. Mine is La Cocina from H.E.B.. I am very pleased with it. I am also happy to have my vintage reamer. I recently used it for juicing Meyer lemons. I made lemon curd with some and froze the rest of the juice to make more in the future. That reminds me, I also love my micro plane for zesting and grating.
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

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  5. Wow! Great kitchen tools. I especially love the tips about cutting boards. You know, we put our cooked roasts on a bit wooden cutting board all the time. It never occurred to me that it would be a problem. I will find a new big non-wood cutting board immediately! Oh, and thanks for linking up at Pin'Inspirational Thursdays! We love having you there :)

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  6. You have some great tools! I am a bosch girl when it comes to mixers, but I do like the look of your sunbeam :)

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  7. I've always been afraid of pressure cookers, too. I do a lot of canning and think I'd better check out the electric pressure cooker. Thanks for the tip!

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  8. I'm terrified of Pressure cookers - what a weird fear to have!
    The electric one sounds better to me lol
    Great post Kathe!
    XXX

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  9. Kathe, My crockpot gets lots of use, especially in the winter for soups and stews. I had one of the old pressure cookers years ago and it always made me nervous. I may have to try the electric one now. Thanks for sharing at the Open House party.

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  10. Great tools! I love it!!!! Please share at my linky party going on now at http://wallisfarmsdailywalk.blogspot.com/2013/01/linky-party-2.html Thanks!

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  11. Oooh ... I have a pressure cooker that I have never used for fear of doing something wrong and decapitating myself. I think you should do infomercials - I want a pressure cooker like you!

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  12. I can't do without my wooden spatula either. I think I need to get myself a cast iron dutch oven!

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  13. Great post Kathe! I think my favourite would be my chef knife...can't live without it. I'd love a stand mixer, but I don't bake enough to justify spending that kind of money. And I would LOVE a pressure cooker!
    Debbie :)

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  14. I have a wooden spatula that I've had for years which I'm so fond of and can't do without! Fun post!

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  15. I am a big fan of kitchen tools and really love your "big girl" mixer! I want one myself.....

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  16. What a clever idea for a post. I love your wooden spatula. My favorite tool is my pampered chef chopper. Thanks for sharing. I found you via share your cup over at Jann's. Nice to meet you. :) have a good week.

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  17. I love the cutting board and the marble slab!

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  18. Kathe,
    I love all your tools! I love my Crock Pot and Knives too! I do have some of those "French" Dutch ovens, lol But they were gifts so I'm keeping them! I can't imagine my life without enamel coated cast iron! I even LOVE my regular cast iron. I'll have to try out those Sunbeam mixers though. I have Kitchen-Aid and I don't even use the hand mixer anymore because I can do it faster by hand or I use the stand mixer. I used to have a pressure cooker but haven't used one in years. Might have to do some shopping soon :) Thanks for linking up to Creative Thursday with this awesome list.
    Have a great weekend :)
    Michelle

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  19. My fav kitchen items are my Crock Pot and Food Network mixer that I bought in a pinch last Christmas even though it looked kind of bulky, but I love it and it's powerful...

    Thanks for sharing with my NO RULES Weekend Blog Party :)

    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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  20. I use my Cuisinart immersion blender every day! I burned one up and replaced it with an exact one (and learned that mixing buttercream frosting is probably better done with the mixer)

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  21. Dig the spoon! Thank you for sharing this with Show Your Stuff.

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  22. Great post with great tips Kathe! I love my red mixer! It's just as cute as it is functional. lol! Cuteness counts in my kitchen. I am so old fashioned and still cut most everything by hand. I only have acrylic cutting boards. Have 4 or 5. I replace them every so often. Did not know that about knives. Maybe that's why I don't have a real good one anymore. Really need to break down and get new. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  23. You have some great things Kathe, this is such a coincidence I have a post similar this in my drafts right now. We are two peas in a pod. Thank you for sharing at the hop xo

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  24. No wonder Mr. B. eats so well. You have gourmet kitchen equipment! I still have Revereware copper bottomed stainless steel pots and pans, a crock pot without a timer, dull knives, and I only display any wooden utensils with wear in my vignettes.

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  25. I loved moms pressure cooker, but we don't have one so I have to do without :(
    for me, a good chef knife is a must! I actually think mine is even larger than yours, and yes, people freak out just a bit when they see it!

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  26. Hi Kathe,
    Thanks for linking up at A Humble Creation today. You've introduced me to some products that are going on my wish list...like that nice Dutch oven. Thanks for taking the time to give us a tour of your kitchen!

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  27. Hey Kathe!

    Thank you for linking up at my Party In Polka Dots! I broke one of my favorite kitchen tools today! :( Some things are hard to live without! ;)

    Shelley

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  28. I have 5 or 6 cutting boards, each with its own purpose...the acrylic ones are for meat and can go in the dishwasher. Love my chef knife too!!! Also love my 2 Kitchen-Aid mixers, crock pot, electric grinder, spritz cookie gun,and my steel braising pan with glass lid that can go in the oven.

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  29. Great tools and great advice too! I love my new silicone spoons and spatulas, wooden just didn't work for me. You've got me thinking about trying some of your favorites! :)

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  30. Loved seeing all your favorite tools.
    I don't have a dishwasher...so no worry about the knives. I do have a good sharpener, I got recently at bargainland. I love it and it does scissors too.
    I didn't know they made an electric pressure cooker. I worry about the danger of other pressure cookers.
    thanks for sharing,
    via, SSL Pat

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  31. They all are great tools! I love my pressure cooker, I've had many models and not a single accident!

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  32. I loved this post! Mainly because I am currently living in poor college student mode as my husband finishes his Masters degree and I just graduated last year and we have a baby boy. Long story short we have NO MONEY. But the future is bright! My hubby is graduating in April and got a very good job so I will be able to indulge in some baking/cooking supply shopping at the end of this year probably after we pay off our loans.
    YAY!!! I am definitely going to refer back to this post for some things I might purchase :)

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  33. Hi, Great post. I found you through the blog hop. Now following you.Please stop by and say hi when you get a chance.
    Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that we just started, It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Here's the link in case you want to check it out. Thanks again.http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup-html

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  34. We have a lot of the same favorites! I have been wanting to get and try a pressure cooker. I have never used one before. Thanks for sharing all your favs with us!

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  35. I love my crock pot, but have never used a pressure cooker. I guess I need to try it. My grandmother used one all the time. I enjoyed seeing all of your favorites. Thanks so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent.

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  36. Sometimes I wonder about us women. Of all
    the glitter and shoes and handbags, clothes
    and such we always go back to the kitchen.
    How our kitchens items seems to make us
    happier. My kitchen aid mixer is used
    to the point that one gear is out. I keep
    using it..haha
    Love your post!
    Sandy

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  37. It's funny how we get our favorite little kitchen things. I have one spatula that has to be used whenever I make cookies. haha. I've been wanting a pressure cooker, so I'm glad to hear your positive review. Thanks for all the great info!

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  38. I agree that it's important to have good tools to work with! I recently bought a Dutch oven and have used it a few times. Everything turns out so good in it! Your spoon looks well-loved!

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  39. Thanks for sharing your favorites! I have a favorite spatula and I can't cook pancakes without my non-stick skillet! Thanks so much for sharing at Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop.
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
    Bethany @ Whistle and Ivy

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  40. This is a great post, several of the items you listed are my favorites too. Thanks for sharing this on Fluster's Muster Party.

    Hugs & Smiles
    Robin
    http://www.flusterbuster.com

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  41. Great post! There are a few of these I have to try!

    ~Chelsea

    http://www.marriedfilingjointly.blogspot.com

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  42. You were featured twice on Piggy In Polka Dots! Congratulations!

    http://piggyinpolkadots.blogspot.com/2013/01/party-in-polka-dots-link-party-6.html&spref=fb

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  43. HEY! Your wooden spatula looks like my wooden spoon :)! We should be friends...hehe.

    Jessica
    myworldmadebyhand.blogspot.com

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