I always get emails and Facebook comments asking what brands I use, so this week's Teaching Tuesday is all about the products in my kitchen!
(If you're wondering about food products, see my post on brands I use as well as this list of oil-free/plant-based products.)
Food Processors
I have both a Cuisinart mini food processor and a Cuisinart 9-cup food processor. While I managed to live without both for a year when I was living in the Caribbean (I relied on my blender or chopping skills), having them both back in my kitchen has made all the difference — they save me so much time! If you can only get one, go for the big guy!
Pressure Cooker
About two years ago, a friend of mine talked me into buying an electric pressure cooker. BEST INVESTMENT EVER. I use my Cuisinart Electric Pressure Cooker every. single. day. It's great in the summer — no hot stove required! And it really makes my life easier when I'm doing batch cooking since it uses an outlet (thereby creating more cooking space on the stove! Woo!).
I use my PC mainly to cook beans and potatoes, both of which we eat a lot of. I was buying canned beans before for ease, so switching to dry beans made the PC pay for itself in a matter of weeks. (I'm forgetful and don't have the patience to soak and cook beans for hours and hours, but the pressure makes beans a 15-minute reality!). If you've been following my travel updates on Facebook, this is what I've been using to make my oatmeal and tofu scramble in my hotel room!
Rice Cooker
I bought my Panasonic Rice Cooker several years ago, and it's still going strong. Unfortunately, the one I have is discontinued, but there are plenty of other rice cookers out there that are just as good. I recommend spending a little extra and getting one with a special brown rice setting (like this one, also from Panasonic) as I find the run of the mill rice cookers can't really handle brown rice without a special setting.
Knives
I'm a big believer in investing in a good knife. Not only will it change your entire kitchen experience, but your fingers will also thank you! (See Scott's post on How Cheap Knives Endanger Your Digits). Nothing beats a Wusthof Classic, but the more affordable Victorinox Chef's Knife is also fantastic.
Cutting Boards
Scott actually made my cutting boards, but if you're on the market for some new ones, I would recommend bamboo cutting boards. They're eco-friendly!
Bowls, Measuring Cups & Spoons
I just bought these two sets from Joseph Joseph and I'm in love with them! Not only are they colorful and pretty to look at, they're also minimalist (see how nicely the sit in each other for storage?).
The Joseph Joseph Nest Compact Food Preparation Set includes 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup measuring cups, a 1/2-liter bowl, sieve, 3-liter colander and a 4-1/2-liter mixing bowl.
The 7-piece Joseph Joseph Elevate Carousel Set includes a spaghetti server, slotted spoon, ladle, slotted turner, solid spoon, flexible turner and rotating storage stand.
