7 Kitchen Tools You Need in 2018

7 Kitchen Tools You Need in 2018

With 2018 upon us, I wanted to share with you my top 7 kitchen tools for easy, gluten-free and paleo cooking. 

I understand the thought of creating every item you eat from scratch can be a bit daunting.  With the right tools on hand, and easy recipes to follow, I promise you, you’ll be well on your way to mastering a gluten-free (and maybe even paleo) lifestyle.

Avoid the ugly-sweater club, and share this post with your family for holiday and birthday gift ideas!

(Click the links below to order straight from Amazon).

7 Kitchen Tools You Need in 2018

1. High-Speed Blender – Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender

I use my Vitamix on average 5 times per week.  Almond flour and smoothies are two foods you can only make using a high-powered, high-quality blender like a Vitamix.  Almond flour is expensive to buy pre-ground (about twice as much!).  In almond flour alone, the ROI on this tool is well worth it.  If you’ve ever made a smoothie with a low-grade blender (my life for years), chewing as opposed to swallowing is likely something you’ve experienced.  Using a tool like a Vitamix to blend smoothie ingredients like ice cubes, nuts, and kale turns a chewable, separated disaster into a smooth, cold, milkshake-like texture encouraging smart recovery from training.

2. Food Processor – Cuisinart Elite Collection 14 Cup Food Processor

As an 80’s baby, I grew up with the name brand Cuisinart.  My mom made EVERYTHING in it.  As a testament to its quality, she’s still using the same Cuisinart from my childhood to this day.  I use my Cuisinart to combine ingredients for recipes like brownies, pizza dough, bread, and to chop nuts.  The shorter bowl and removal blade make for easy scraping and easy cleaning.  Also, the lid, bowl, and blade are all dishwasher safe (always a selling-feature in my house).

3. Slow Cooker – Crock-Pot Cook’ N Carry 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker

To tell you the truth, I only started using a slow cooker within the past 5 years.  I use to associate a slow cooker with people that are not really into cooking (cough cough Scott) and like the idea of little effort and a lot of reward.  It’s a kitchen tool mom’s get their son’s as they usher them off to university.  A tool that likely sits in the cupboard collecting dust, until years later, the girlfriend unpacks it as in the case of Scott and I.  Since playing around with my new-ish kitchen tool, I’m extremely happy with the ease, the flavour produced (like in this recipe), and the portability of the a slow cooker.   

4. Stainless Steel Dry Measuring Cups – Spring Chef Measuring Cups

I have to give my sister credit for this one.  When we were young, hungry and foolish (we’re still foolish, and ALWAYS hungry), we co-founded a company that produced gourmet handcrafted hors d’oeuvres.  We operated a 1500 square foot production kitchen and pumped out thousands upon thousands of hors d’oeuvres.  After breaking the handle off of one-too-many plastic measuring cups, my sister had had enough.   She ordered in legit, professional-grade, measuring cups.  This tool set has a lifetime warranty, is dishwasher safe, and comes with a stainless steel ring conveniently keeping your set together at all times.  10 years later, I’m still rocking the same set.  Thanks sis!

5. Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons – Spring Chef Measuring Spoons

Same concept as the measuring cups, a good quality, stainless steel set of measuring spoons is the way to go. The set linked above, includes all 8 pieces. 

Measuring Spoon Set includes: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 Tbsp.

Measuring Cup Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup.

6. Stainless Steel Chef Knife – Henckels CLASSIC 8″ Chef’s Knife

I really need to order myself 3 more of these bad boys, as mine are always dirty.  That’s how much I use it.  Chopping vegetables, cutting up meats and fish, and mincing garlic is common practice with my chef knife.  When shopping for a chef knife, the price point can get out of hand pretty quick.  That said, you’ll need to spend a few extra dollars to get a solid knife that will last a lifetime.  Do it!

7. Stainless Steel Serrated Knife – Henckels CLASSIC 5″ Serrated Utility Knife

Slicing through soft skin fruit or vegetables like tomatoes, plums, and eggplants, or cutting through bread (gluten-free of course!) will make good use of this style of knife.  A kitchen staple, and one you’ll have for a lifetime if you spend a few extra bucks and invest in one like the Henckels CLASSIC 5″ Serrated Utility Knife.

Need more gluten-free & paleo recipe inspiration?   

Check out these drool-worthy recipes featured in the Meat & Seafood Edition of my Paleo E-Cookbook Series.  

I promise, you’ll love it!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Whether you’re an avid crossfit enthusiast needing to rebuild your taxed muscles, a muddy mountain biker looking to refuel after a big day of adventure, or an all-around healthy, active, human looking for some variety in your meals, this Paleo E-Cookbook is for you!

BUY IT NOW!