Five top tools every cook needs for a successful 2021 in the kitchen
It’s a new year and we are all making our resolutions! Mine is to keep my kitchen a little bit more organized and pared down to the essentials. I’ve put together a small list of the top utensils and tools needed to cook at your best in 2021. My list is simple … no bells and whistles, just the basics.
- Lemon juicer. Everyone needs to be able to squeeze every last drop of goodness out of their lemons, whether you are making resolution-lemon water, fancy sauces or cocktails. I have one similar to this, and it’s in daily use.
- Immersion blender. I know I’ve sung the praises of this humble little appliance many times but this one is a must have for creamy dressings, puréed soups, merengues, and more. I have this exact one, and it’s changed my life.
- A good cast iron skillet. Most nonstick skillets are toxic and let’s face it—not that cute. Cast iron is not only super functional — it heats evenly, imparts iron into your food and can go from stovetop to oven (for frittatas! Cornbread with a crispy crust!)—its stately and elegant too. And call me a cooking nerd but there is something very zen about seasoning your pan after every use. This one from Lodge is classic and will literally be in your kitchen forever.
- An amazing knife. Chopping, dicing and cutting are integral to every meal. I have the global chef knife, and I love it. I also have this more budget friendly knife, and it definitely does the job too. If you want to get really fancy, this one is the stuff of legends. Whichever you choose, check out this knife skills and safety video too.
- A pegboard for organization. This reminds me of how Julia Child had her kitchen set up in the movie Julie and Julia. The one you choose really depends on the size of wall you can fill with your tools (or copper pots, if you want to really channel Julia) I ordered two 18” x 22” boards for a very specific space in my kitchen. This one is good if you have a square space, but be sure to measure! I don’t have a good photo of mine yet, but will add it when I do.
About The Author
Sarah
I am a mom of two and wife to a martial arts school owner, full-time social media professional and avid cook and gardener. I love creating recipes and involving my kids in the process. The food we cook is usually dairy-free and gluten-free, and sometimes paleo, but we make exceptions (ahem, sourdough bread). The “hippie” part of this blog comes into play in the ingredients we use—I’m pretty vigilant about the health of my family and you could even call me “crunchy.” The “modern” part is that I am busy! You won’t catch me making my own nut milk or churning butter (not that there’s anything wrong with that). I’m more than happy to take the shortcuts provided by our lovely grocery stores and online shopping —especially in the midst of this global pandemic.