Cooking has become a popular pastime as well as a way to ensure a healthy lifestyle. There is a lot of pleasure to be gained from eating a meal that was home cooked. And if the ingredients have come from your own garden, the flavors are even fresher. Do you love cooking? Chances are the kitchen is your favorite room at home. Why not invest in a few of these awesome cooking accessories to make your kitchen the source of the most incredible dishes you’ll eat?
Grill
Not every kitchen comes with a grill. Fortunately, you can grill food in lots of different ways. Grilling is widely believed to be the healthiest way to cook meats and fish. It allows the excess fats to drain away, leaving you with the leanest and most flavorful meat dishes you can get. Best of all, you can even grill your favorite vegetables with some of these too.
Electric health grills often resemble waffle makers. You close the lid down on the food so both sides of your food can be cooked simultaneously. Barbecues are also grills. You can skewer meat cuts and vegetables over it, or lay your foods straight across the grill itself. Food will need turning regularly for an even finish. There are also grill pans. The best griddle pans or grill pans out there can be used on ceramic, gas or convection hobs. The bottom of the pan is grooved so fats can drain away from the food. Best of all you get that incredible grill line across your steaks!
Blender
Most of us have a blender of some sort in the house, but so few of us are making the most of them. You can crush ice for cocktails, blitz fruit for smoothies, and blend veggies to make soups. Many blenders are also food processors. This means they have attachments for cutting, slicing and grating your favorite vegetables. Make chips, coleslaw, purees, or chopped veggies simply and easily.
Blenders can save you so much time and effort with food prep. However, with the trend for minimalist, contemporary style kitchens, few of us like to have a big blender on the kitchen worktop. You could keep a cupboard free to pop it away when you’re done. Or you might be able to store it up on a shelf somewhere. No matter what style of kitchen you have, it’s worth making some space for a blender.
Knives
Some people keep them in a block. Others use a magnet panel across the wall. Having your knives to hand can certainly speed things up. There are three types of knife handle to choose from. Rubber or plastic tend to be the cheapest option but could be the least durable. Wooden handled knives rarely survive too many cycles in the dishwasher. Metal handles are often preferred by leading chefs, but they may lack the grip and light weight you’re looking for.
Slow Cooker
These have become very popular in family homes due to the convenience they offer. Most ovens have a slow or low cook option, so this may not be an essential buy for you. However, it’s likely to be cheaper to run than cooking on gas. There are hundreds of great slow cooker recipes. Even if you’re not short on time, these can be preferred for dishes like a casserole. This is because slow cooking the cubed beef makes it so much more tender and juicy. The flavors have time to broaden, and the consistency can be thicker and warmer.
Chopping Boards
Chopping boards never last that long, so chances are you’ll be thinking about buying a new set soon. As a cook, it’s important to avoid contaminating different foods. The chopping board is the biggest culprit for this. Ideally, you should have one for fish, one for meats, one for vegetables, and another for your grains like bread. There are many sets that are color coded to help you easily identify which is which. You may choose a silicon or plastic based board as they can go through the dishwasher. However, cuts from the knife will soon add up, leaving them vulnerable to collecting bacteria.
Wood will also suffer from cuts, which is why you should use a different board for each food type. Some famous chefs like to present foods on their old chopping boards. They can be an attractive addition to the meal. Wooden boards can crack and split in the dishwasher, so wash them by hand. Glass boards can also be an option. These can be ideal for meats, but juices may run more easily across the surface.
Other Kitchen Gadgets
Some of the best gadgets in the world were designed for the kitchen. Pasta makers, in particular, have proven very popular for those who love to cook everything fresh. Electric grinders for salt and pepper are handy by the stove as well as on the dining table. Meat mincers and coffee bean grinders also make light work of your preparation. Electronic food scales and hand whisks go together beautifully when you’ve got the kids baking cakes. And when you’re cooking for many, the food thermometer is a must.
Poachers, boilers, steamers, mini grills, bread makers and microwaves are among some of our favorite kitchen gadgets. Many food enthusiasts agree that gadgets for convenience encourage more people to cook at home rather than making them lazy chefs. Best of all, they make cooking and food preparation more fun. It’s easy to grab a take-out. Cooking a good meal takes time, effort, and passion.
The oven and the hob may be the most used ways to cook and heat food. But there are so many more options. When it comes to cooking, it’s important to have plenty of choice about how to cook and how to prepare the meal you’ll be eating. Add a spice rack, a windowsill herb garden, or even a patio vegetable planter for your super kitchen. For the healthiest and most wholesome meals you can eat, stay in this weekend and cook at home.
What are your favorite cooking accessories?
