When I started thinking about writing this post, it was all because of my love for my olive oil cruet. So easy and simple to use. I started thinking of other kitchen items that I love. I ranted about how my food processor changed my ability to cook in this post about Chipotle trout sliders. It’s not hard to love an expensive tool that is built like a beast (Ohh… food processor). Finding the simple kitchen tools that make your life in the kitchen just that much easier, that is the key to this list.
If any of you late minute shoppers are looking for ideas for cooks on your holiday shopping list, you might find some inexpensive suggestions here. All of these items would make great stocking stuffers too! I did not choose to list brand names or provide links for any products because most of these are things you can find at your grocery store, you just never knew you wanted them! Not in any particular order:
1.Liquid tablespoon measure
This little guy is so handy for whipping up small portions of homemade dressings or for creating sauces for stir-fries. The spoon is not the way to go for measuring liquid ingredients in small portions. Save your spoon for the dry stuff!
2. Olive oil cruet
I never realized how much of a pain the cap on the olive oil was until I didn’t have to bother with it. My 8 oz cruet sits next to the stove ready to splash a little oil into any dish! This also allows you to keep the large container of oil away from the heat of the stove which can cause it to spoil faster.
3. Well-made kitchen timer
If you bake anything, a timer is a must. I might be old school, but I prefer the kitchen timer over other gadgets (such as phones, watches or microwaves) to time my baking. Don’t get something fancy. Get something simple, it will last longer.
4. Apron
So… Things get kind-of messy in the kitchen sometimes. Yours too? I love my apron especially for kneading bread because, somehow, flour seems to end up all over. Mine is homemade gift! If you’re crafty this can be a DIY gift, or you can find aprons in all styles for any cook!
5. Mini spatula set
Mini spatulas are so convenient for getting into jars or scraping sticky foods out of measuring cups (think honey or molasses!) I can’t imagine my kitchen without them. I like to have both the straight spatula and the spoon spatula for different purposes. Regardless, get mini spatulas with long handles so that you don’t have to stick your hand into the jar too!
Are you finished shopping for the holidays? What are your favorite kitchen tools? Share with us in the comments. Thanks for stopping by Alison’s Allspice!