Hellobee

Do you have someone in your life that loves to cook? I know I do, and I love to cook myself, so anytime I get kitchen items, I am one happy girl! I have a running list of things I want for myself, but I thought a list of my favorite kitchen items would be a helpful gift guide.

1) Instant Pot –  Ok, so I’ll admit, at first I had no interest at all in having an instant pot. I figured anything I wanted to make, I could do so in my crockpot or my dutch oven, but my sister surprised me with an instant pot in June and I haven’t looked back. It is quick, super easy, and it has made weeknight dinners way easier for me.

2) Dutch Oven – Although I love my instant pot, nothing beats the flavor a dutch oven can produce. I’ve had mine for at least five years and I cook in it at least once a week during the cooler months, but I also use it during the warmer months for a nice developed meal. The best part about the dutch oven is the more you use it, the more it becomes seasoned, which adds even more flavor.

3) A good knife set – I got a set of Chicago cutlery knives when I started culinary school and I still have that set and use it regularly. I get them professionally sharpened once or twice a year. The key to a good set is both in the blades themselves and in the handles. Check how the knives feel in your hand before you purchase them. A good set can last a lifetime if they are maintained properly.

4) A KitchenAid Mixer – Any good home chef can use a KitchenAid mixer. Mine was a certified refurbished that I purchased almost 13 years ago. It still works great and I love having it for my baking projects. I have a sausage stuffer attachment, a grinder attachment, and a pasta press. I use it for all kinds of meals and I depend on it for my cakes. The only downside of this mixer is that it is huge and heavy, so if you’re gifting it to someone, make sure they have space for it.

5) Cast Iron Skillet – I can’t say enough about my cast iron pan. I use it to cook steaks at least once a week, and the sear it produces is amazing. One of my favorite parts of the cast iron pan is that I can start it on the stove and put the pan into the oven to finish. I’ve used it for cakes, pies, and other baked goods as well. This is another case of the pan getting better with age, which is always a plus.

6) Good quality rubber spatulas – You might think that rubber spatulas are all the same, but the difference between high and low quality is huge. Better quality spatulas last longer, they don’t crack, and they are easier to use if they are a bit more rigid. For a budding chef, or a seasoned home cook, a nice set of spatulas is a win.

7) Mixing Bowls – I personally prefer stainless steel bowls to glass for a few reasons. I am a bit clumsy and tend to drop things, so the glass bowls were constantly getting broken. I also like that the stainless seems can be used as a double boiler or in the oven without worrying about them exploding. However, you should have a bowl that is either glass or plastic to heat things in the microwave if needed.

8) Quality Cutting Board – I use my cutting board almost every day. It is nice to have a quality one that can be washed and reused over and over again. I tend to shy away from wood boards as they can harbor bacteria, and the plastic restaurant grade can be sanitized easily. Bonus if you can find one that has a grooved edge on one side to prevent juices from running.

9) A personal recipe book – Even though most of us have a Pinterest account these days, it is really fun to have your own recipe book to add your favorites to. I have a couple, including a cookbook I created on Shutterfly with some family recipes.

10) Blender/Food Processor – I generally use the blender more than my food processor, so a combo set was perfect for me. I love being able to use it for both functions, and it saves some space in my cupboards.

I love cooking and being in the kitchen and I love being able to gift some key kitchen items to new chefs to start their journey into cooking. Any items you would add to my list?