Kitchen essentials

It helps to have a variety of meats and veggies in your kitchen to choose from, but what can you use to make life in the kitchen a little easier? Here are a few things (in no particular order) that I've found to be help -

- A good set of knives - it makes chopping veggies easier if you don't have to 'saw' through them.

- Sharpening steel - can't afford new knives or aren't in the market for a new set? Invest in a good sharpening steel to keep your knives in tip-top shape.

- Food chopper - Check out the reviews before investing in one. Usually small and good for small jobs - single tomato, pepper, onion, garlic, etc. If you want something a little bigger, look into a..

- Mini-Prep Processor - Motorized, but still good for small jobs like veggies, fruit, etc. If you want to do MORE, check out..

- Food processor - Good for grinding almonds into almond meal or even for making your own almond butter, shredding vegetables, chopping onions, etc. Look for something with multiple blades/slicing disks, high power motor (if you want to do almonds), or smaller cup/bowl inserts to chop up smaller jobs. Very versatile.

- Multiple cutting boards - You're working with meat, poultry, veggies, etc. Don't mix their juices and keep them squeaky clean. Get something color coded so everything has their own mat - meat=red, poultry=yellow, and the rest is for the fruits and veggies.

- Meat thermometer - I prefer my food medium well. The less it moos, bleats, or clucks, the better. A digital thermometer is easy to read. Bonus if it has a 'how to' guide so you know when different meats are 'done' - ie med, med/well, well done, etc.

- Storage Containers - I don't have a preference to one brand or another, but if you like to cook large meals to have leftovers, and if (when!) you're taking your food to work with you, make sure it's sealed. Don't be that coworker that comes in Monday with a Lean Cuisine boxed meal for lunch every day of the week.

- "A Non-aerosol mister" - or just a Misto. Miss using Pam to coat your skillets? This is MUCH better. Fill it with your own EVOO (extra virg olive oil), pump, and spray. Now you're coating your pans with olive oil and no fillers or additives. A definite must have.

- Slow cooker - aka a Crock Pot. Throw in a hunk of meat, some water or broth, tons of veggies and some spices, and let it cook on low overnight or while you're at work. Good for roasts, stews, whole chickens, soups, etc. Set it and forget it!

- Non-stick pans - So much to choose from! 10" for skillets, 12" jumbo with high sides, etc.

- Spices! - Okay, so it's not a piece of equipment, but it will help keep you sane. Basil, oregano, salt, pepper, mustard, curry, turmeric, coriander, marjoram, thyme, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, Rosemary, sage, cumin, cinnamon, dill, hot sauce etc. And if you can, get theme fresh. On anything that might be a mix (lemon pepper), check the label for any added sugar.

There is so much more to add!
- Garlic press
- Garlic peeler
- Dehydrator (jerky!)
- Salad spinner
- Grill - Indoor (George Foreman) or outdoor


I know I'm missing more. What's in your kitchen that's your 'go-to' item or something you use a lot?

Additions from the comments section
- Microwave steamer for veggies
- Mandolin - slicing veggies