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These are the items that I use most often in my kitchen. I’m sharing them with you because I’ve bought so many different products over the years and either thrown them away when they’ve broken or I’ve discovered they just don’t work the way they should. So please, learn from my mistakes.
Smaller Items
Small Metal Whisk
These might seem ridiculous but they really are a workhorse. I use them to stir sauces, to whip up a couple eggs, to stir the poppyseeds into the buttermilk for my Gluten Free Poppyseed Pound Cake – they really come in handy. It’s also nice that this comes in a set of two because they’re easy to lose. Especially when they’re the perfect size for little kid hands.
Handheld Juicer
While you certainly can juice fruit with just a fork or spoon, I really like having this on hand as it’s less messy and makes things a bit easier. I own the one sized for limes (linked in the title) and I’ll confess that the main reason I bought that one is I liked the color. Not a very good reason. Looking back I would probably get the one that’s sized for lemons as it’s a little bigger but not too big.
OXO Measuring Cups
These liquid measuring cups make it very easy to see how much liquid you’re pouring in. They have an angled side and show the measurement lines on both the side of the cup and inside on the angled edge. It’s a little difficult to explain, but they make measuring a snap. The only downside is they’re plastic so they can’t go in the microwave. I have a 1 cup and 2 cup size, and also have a different, glass 2 cup size for when I need to stick something in the microwave.
GIR Silicone Spatula, Red
These are hands-down the spatulas I love the most. They work well, are sturdy, and don’t have handles or silicon heads that come off. Which means I don’t have water leaking from them after I get them out of the dishwasher. I own the Three Piece Set (in red), but you can buy them separately, as I’ve linked above, and in different colors. Out of all my spatulas, these of course are the ones my kids want to play with.
Ove Glove
I think the Ove Glove may have started out as a joke, but it really is great. Not only is it good for putting things in and getting things out of the oven, but it’s also great for appliances (like the Instant Pot – see below), or for cooking on the grill. I have two since, you know, I have two hands.
This spatula is a game changer. It has a slightly curved surface, which is perfect for flipping pancakes, eggs, anything really. It is sturdy and heat resistant, but won’t scratch non-stick cookware. It is THE BEST.
This mini food processor is great for those quick jobs where you don’t need to chop a lot but are lazy and don’t want to pull out a knife and cutting board. I’ve had mine for years and it’s still going. I use it for nuts, spices, meat – really just about anything.
Larger Items
Cooling Rack
This guy is essential not for cooking chicken in the oven. That might sound like an oddly specific task, but when it’s cold outside and you can’t fire up the grill, cooking boneless meat in the oven is the next best thing. As the name states, it can also be used as a cooling rack for things like breads and cookies, so bonus on the double use.
Muffins are great because you can make them ahead of time and eat them when you want them, like for breakfast on the go. However I’d find myself not making them because cleaning up the muffin tin was such a pain in the rear. Once I got this bad boy, cleaning up became so much easier – it’s dishwasher safe! Anything I can chuck in the dishwasher makes my life easier, which is why this “tin” is on the list.
Instant Pot 8 Qt Pressure Cooker
Everyone seems to be raving about these but there really is a reason. It’s a game changer. You can make dinner so easily and quickly with an Instant Pot and I have a number of gluten free Instant Pot recipes to choose from. There are even whole cookbooks dedicated to the Instant Pot (I own this one: Paleo Cooking With Your Instant Pot and there’s even one for when you want to be more budget conscious, Affordable Paleo Cooking With Your Instant Pot). I own the 6 quart LUX, which is the cheapest model, but have wished several times I bought the 8 quart so that’s what I’m recommending here. Watch for this to go on sale as there seem to be some stellar deals that pop up.