By Melissa Mc

1. What the heck is that mezzaluna thingie for?

   Comment #1 by Heather O.May 19th, 2009 at 6:37 pm

2. Chopping things…fancy stuff!

   Comment #2 by Melissa McMay 19th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

3. My mom had those nesting bowls and when I moved out of the house about 14 years ago, I swiped the smallest one, it had roosters on the side. I say it had because it has been used so many times it has worn off. My husband and I are always trying to get to it first.

   Comment #3 by LCMMay 19th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

4. The mezzaluna is really good for chopping herbs…

   Comment #4 by CalicoMay 19th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

5. Totally agree:

   12 inch chef knife, but Forschner (made by Victorinox) is the way to go. It is cheaper than the other brands and rated #1 by Cooks Illustrated. I would also add the Forschner serrated bread knife and the Forschner paring knives to the list. Three knives are all you need if they’re good ones, and these won’t break your budget!

   Lemon reamer—These are cheap and more effective than many of the costly alternatives. Lo tech, works great.

   Microplane—It is important to own the coarse one as well as the fine. I owned the fine grating microplane first and used it for everything from lemon to chocolate to parmesan. I discovered later that the coarse one is much, much better for parmesan (and quicker!).

   Parchment paper—what did I ever do without it? But I prefer the costly flat parchment paper already sized to fit my baking sheets or cakepans. The stuff that comes in a roll wants to curl for the remainder of its existence and it can be tricky to cut it to the right size.

   Strongly Disagree:

   Garlic Press: I cook with garlic almost every day. Garlic is one of the foods that gives me the most pleasure (see the name of my blog!) I tend to use more than a single clove of garlic in a recipe, so I see the garlic press as a must. Try the Kuhn Rikon Easy Squeeze and your life will never be the same. The similar stainless steel model is absolutely beautiful; I own it too and it is a work of kitchen design that is truly art. But for those of us with weak hand strength, the easy squeeze is even a bit better. This model was rated #1 by Cook’s Illustrated.

   Food Processor: My husband brought one of these to our marriage. I thought he was bizarre. I wanted to give it to the thrift store. Why did I want that huge thing sitting on my counter for? I boycotted it for the first year or two of marriage. But now I’m a convert and I can’t understand how anyone cooks seriously without one. Many contemporary recipes assume use of a food processor — other equipment just doesn’t substitute as well as one would hope. Also, if one has poor knife skills (as I do), this machine is invaluable. True, a purist would never chop an onion in a food processor. Do I? All the time. Thank heavens for my food processor! What a timesaver! As far as clean up, if you rinse it immediately after using it, clean up is drastically reduced. If you forget, the dishwasher does a lovely job, although it does take up a lot of room in the load.

   Waffle Iron: Pancakes are not a substitute for waffles. Waffles are crisp and have pockets for catching syrup and butter. Pancakes are not crisp and do not have pockets. I love waffles and only a waffle iron can make them.

   Comment #5 by Pmom@ChocolateandGarlic.comMay 19th, 2009 at 8:25 pm

6. I love waffles, could not live without my waffle iron. And my kitchen aid, love love love it, but then I have room on my counter for it.

   Comment #6 by ModdyMay 19th, 2009 at 8:28 pm

7. Other invaluable tools:

   kitchen scale, Thermapen,OveGlove hot mittens, spring-loaded tongs,
   brown sugar bear, Le Creuset 7 1/4 Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Nordicware bundt pan

   Things I’m sorry I bought:

   Silpat oven liners, crumb box, mandoline, alligator chopper, cookbook holder, onion goggles, oil mister, salt pig, foodmill

   Comment #7 by Pmom@ChocolateandGarlic.comMay 19th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

8. I’m sure there are things I couldn’t live without in my kitchen, but lately, I’ve only been noticing what I’m missing:

   - a microplane
   - tongs (we only have the HUGE BBQ tongs)
   - a large skillet with a lid that fits (we have the large skillet, and I have to use a cookie sheet to cover it, which only covers most of it)
   - a reamer (I almost bought one for a quarter, but I never needed it before… now I do)
   - a mandolin now that we’re eating more veggies and less meat
   - a stand alone mixer, I’d love a kitchen aid
   - a bigger kitchen *sigh*

   Oh, and a replacement grater piece for our food processor because it broke awhile ago and now we have to grate cheese by hand… oh, wait, we buy it already grated. IT’S THE SAME PRICE! lol

   Comment #8 by Erin MarieMay 19th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

9. I haven’t used my garlic press in ages since I got a microplane. You can grate 3 or 4 cloves of garlic really fine and really fast on it. I use my little paring knife blade to push the tail end of the clove along the microplane so I don’t macerate my fingers. I spend more time peeling the papery stuff off than it takes to grate it. If you need it really pulverized you can chop around in the little stringy pile of garlic you just made and maybe mash some salt into it with the side of your knife blade.

   My favorite chef’s knife is one I bought at Ikea for 8 dollars.

   And I get PM-essy when someone mislays my citrus reamer — until I find it right where I left it.

   Comment #9 by mommie dearestMay 20th, 2009 at 1:55 am

10. I used to have a food processor until I broke it. I used it every single day. It doubled as my mixer. When I moved back to the U.S., we bought a new food processor. It broke twice–not by our fault. I returned and now cook with difficulty without the assistance of a food processor.

    I used to buy a huge bag of onions, peel them and then chop the onions in batches with our food processor, put them in freezer bags and freeze them. Huge time saver. Making potatoes au gratin is just ridiculous if you don’t have a food processor.

    I guess I can live without it, but it’s not as much fun to cook.

    Comment #10 by TiffanyMay 20th, 2009 at 5:25 am

11. I love my microplane. I also love my kitchen aid, but it sits on my counter, so it is not a big deal. I wish I had a food processor for pie dough and chopping veggies, but we make do. I need new knives. Thanks for the tip. Oh, and the baking soda shaker is a good tip too. I will have to try it.

    Comment #11 by KatieMay 20th, 2009 at 6:33 am

12. You are really blessed to have all those beautiful kitchen tools. I’m trying not to feel envious and sorry for myself–maybe I can enjoy them vicariously through you…

    Comment #12 by HeidiAnnMay 20th, 2009 at 6:33 am

13. If you live near a “Smart and Final” you can pick up a huge amount of lovely and large parchment for about $4.00. It’s ‘half sheet’ sized so perfect for baking sheets. It comes lightly folded over a piece of cardboard and wrapped with cellophane so it’s perfect to store and flat when you get it out of the package, so easy to cut if you have to.

    Much larger, cheaper, and easier than on the roll.

    Comment #13 by s'meeMay 20th, 2009 at 8:05 am

14. I would die w/o my Kitchen Aid (although I’m dieing to try the Bosch too) my food processor, my garlic press & my waffle iron. My kids like pancakes but aren’t as much into fun faces etc. Also I would be totally lost w/o my Pampered Chef dish scrubber. It’s not fancy but I’ve had it for over 4 yrs. It’s stained & ugly however the bristles are just as straight & wonderful as they were the first time I used them. LOVE that thing! Works great on non-stick too.

    Comment #14 by Sues2u2May 20th, 2009 at 8:19 am

15. Forget the Kitchen-aid, my Bosch may not be as pretty, but man oh man it works like a…I don’t know, couldn’t come up with metaphor, but the machine is a beast in a fantastic way.

    My 12 inch cast iron skillet. Weighs a ton but is an essential in any kitchen.

    Second on the parchment.

    My food processor is maybe not an everyday tool, but is essential for pie crusts and, as I just discovered, biscuits. I use my mini-chopper more often for things like onions.

    My knives=my babies.

    Finally, it may sound dumb, my gas stove. I’ve used both and can say with all seriousness, gas is the only thing I could not do without under any circumstances.

    Comment #15 by meemeeMay 20th, 2009 at 8:21 am

16. I’m a real believer in the Kitchen Aide. I have a white one but I just love it!
    What do you use baking soda for specifically?
    I think I’ve only bought 2 boxes since I got married 7 years ago.

    Comment #16 by jenMay 20th, 2009 at 11:04 am

17. Can’t live without:
    KitchenAid mixer (fortunately we have enough counter space that mine has a permanent home there–no moving required!)
    Tall pasta/stock pot with strainer
    Melamine bowls

    Unfortunately do live without:
    Grill
    Food processor

    Comment #17 by CatherineMay 20th, 2009 at 11:25 am

18. One of my knives is missing. I can only assume/hope it is between the counter and the fridge, and therefore I won’t see it until the next move.

    Comment #18 by mormonhermitmomMay 20th, 2009 at 12:43 pm

19. Ok, so this makes me want to unearth my Kitchen Aid, food processor and waffle iron!

    Can I clarify that I LOVE my kitchen aid, in fact I do need to find counter space so I can, if nothing else, display it. I do love looking at it — it makes me happy. But I’ve found my baking time and enjoyment has ebbed in recent years, so I shoved it on a bottom cabinet shelf. Maybe because anything I bake lately turns out awful! And the food processor just overwhelms me. I’ve always wanted to make pie crust and hummus and chop, but then, well, I don’t. I do have a mini-processor that I got to make baby food–it has multiple attachments, so I can process in small batches, and use it as an immersion blender. I still use that quite a bit. Since my husband is the waffle/pancake guy, I will make him break out the waffle iron this weekend — but I’m making him CLEAN it! Ugh! Oh, and I so COVET anyone with Le Cruset!!!

    I forgot they made pre-cut parchment for cookie sheets. Curling paper is a big problem!

    #16 Jen: I use baking soda for tons of stuff…I buy the BIG bags from Sam’s and divide it up in the glass parmesan jars and distriubte them around my house — next to the kitchen sink for scrubbing, in the bathrooms for the same reason, in the closets to keep them relatively odor free, in the refrigerator for odor too (oh, and I keep the main big bag in my laundry room to add to detergent).

    Comment #19 by Melissa McMay 20th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

20. A good whisk, garlic press, spatula, a plethora of good sharp knives and my blender.

    Comment #20 by mmilesMay 20th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

21. Yeah, what do you use baking soda for? And what goes into a lemon tonic? Why do you have one?

    Comment #21 by KrisMay 20th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

22. Kris: See my response to Jen in #19 about baking soda

    Lemon tonic: Years ago, I went to the Diet Center, they said drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice and water was a appetite suppresant. I didn’t find that to be the case. However, I got hooked on having freshly squeezed lemon juice in the morning (no sugar added - so it makes you pucker!!). I have since added freshly grated ginger to my lemon juice “tonic.” It just makes me feel good and super energized and refreshed in the morning. I squeeze one large lemon, add freshly grated ginger to taste and fill the glass with water.

    Comment #22 by Melissa McMay 20th, 2009 at 2:49 pm

23. - Santoku knife
    - kitchenaid mixer (Stays on the counter)
    - My son’s waffle iron (I’ll have to get another one when he leaves!)
    - tongs (I have 2- or is it 3 pair)
    - Zyliss Ice Cream Scoop
    - microplane
    - Stainless steel pans - Large frying pan , Stockpot, small frying pan, medium saucepan. They clean like a DREAM. I use them for everything.
    - assorted silicone spatulas
    - small & large whisks (1 each)

    I’m sure there’s more… I kind of like kitchen gadgets…

    Oh but I don’t need a motorized grater. That takes too long to take out and plug in set up… by the time I do all that I’ve grated what I need (usually parmessan is about the only cheese I grate fresh) by hand. And I microplane is easier to clean!

    Comment #23 by MommomMay 20th, 2009 at 3:12 pm

24. I love my food processor, though I often forget to use it. Most of the reason why I love it so much is because I really, really suck at chopping things (though I have discovered that a really sharp knife makes chopping infinitely easier, but still, I tend to cut myself).

    My one really sharp knife. I love it. I don’t know how I ever cut tomatoes without it.

    My rice cookers (yes, I have two, one small, one large). Practically perfect rice, every time, no stirring or watching required. Also, you can make other things in them too besides just plain rice. Finely diced chicken, some chicken stock or broth, some frozen veggies, some rice, and you’ve got a meal all ready in ~30 min. with just one rice cooker to clean afterwards.

    I am starting to love my crockpot, now that I am finding recipes to use with it that I actually like. It is too small though.

    I adore my large/tall stockpot.

    12″ skillet with lid that can go in the oven as well. Nonstick but not teflon. It is my most favorite pan ever, even if I do have to handwash it (it washes really easily though).

    A good pair of kitchen shears. I use these for everything. Especially handy for getting some fresh herbs from the garden.

    Comment #24 by kaduseyMay 20th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

25. I forgot my 3 nesting Pyrex glass bowls. The only thing that could make them better would be if they had lids. There are some things that I simply will not use a plastic bowl for, though my reasoning may mystify my husband.

    Comment #25 by kaduseyMay 20th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

26. Hmmm,

    I need three sizes of pan/pot: a big dutch oven type pot, a 12″ skillet, and a big saucepan. My one big really sharp knife (although I have no idea what brand it is…)is a necessity.

    I love my food processor. I would write sonnets in its honor if I had the time. Who doesn’t like something that can grind/pulverize anything super fast?

    I love waffles–not so much of a pancake girl. Pancakes get soggy, waffles are crispy, so you need a waffle maker for that.

    I love my crockpot. It makes soup. It cooks dried beans. I can put stuff in it and leave the house and not worry if it will be standing when I get back.

    I have a giant (like you would laugh if you saw it) container of baking powder in my cupboard. I got sick of running out of it all the time, so I need that too.

    Some of you sound like you have some nice stuff! I better not buy any of it, or I’ll get to needing it too.

    Comment #26 by Deni MarieMay 20th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

27. LOVE:
    Kitchen Aid
    Crock Pot
    BBB Ice Cream Scoop
    Silicone baking pans (almost IMPOSSIBLE to burn a cake in these!!!)
    Silicone oven mitt
    George Foreman
    Emeril Stainless Steel Pans
    Pampered Chef chopper… makes it faster & SO MUCH EASIER to chop food for my toddler!

    WISH I HAD:
    A dishwasher (the hubby doesn’t work right anymore)
    A griddle

    Comment #27 by AmandaMay 21st, 2009 at 7:42 am

28. Ohhh Amanda. The silicone baking pans - Yes, it is very possible/likely if you are me to burn a cake in silicone baking pans. But then again, I burn cakes in every possible pan, because when I hear the timer go off, I make a mental note to check the oven. And I always do, eventually. In, you know, a while.

    Comment #28 by Tami H.May 21st, 2009 at 11:43 pm

29. I used to like the Pampered Chef food chopper, but now it just hurts my hands and wrist to use because of my arthritis. My husband loves it though!

    Comment #29 by TiffanyMay 22nd, 2009 at 6:20 am

30. I would definately add a BBQ grill. You’ve got to love healthy and no pots or pans to clean. When we first moved into our house the stove didn’t work so I learned to do many things on the grill; even corn on the cob. It is our fall back when I don’t feel like cooking, DH will actually do it!

    Comment #30 by jendoopMay 22nd, 2009 at 5:16 pm

31. I love:

    two wire whisks: one large, one very small that has metal curlicues at the base

    pampered chef: baking stones for pizza and “not loaf” breads; loaf pans; new oblong casserole that DH bought for Christmas

    Belgian waffle iron: bigger holes, crispier waffles

    Kitchen Aid: it lives on a special easy-lift shelf inside on of the cupboards;

    ramekins: not only are they are perfect for baked eggs; they are the perfect size for dessert portion control

    my stainless cookware and BarKeeper’s Friend to save it when my children burn food

    my grandfather’s 40 year old cast iron pan that was “perfectly” seasoned until my teenage daughter got to it. I’m optimistic that all was not lost.

    My $13 aluminum teakettle

    Toaster: bread on a fork over the gas eye just doesn’t do the trick when the toaster is broken, and I must have my tea and toast in the morning

    Muffin tins: again, portion control for desserts and I if I can’t have toast, I want muffins with my tea

    Parchment paper is a must have for baking and especially for cornish pasties.

    I bought a microwave onion cooker from the Shriners when I bought my onions this year. It worked really well and did well when I put an apple in there too. I normally don’t cook anything in the nuker, just reheat.

    What I have lived without:
    Food processor: I like chopping and my mother’s fantastic recipe for super flaky pie crust is mixed by hand
    Garlic press: I buy it pre-minced in large jars we use so much
    Silicone baking pans: I love my aluminum and am lucky enough to not have burnt anything

    I would love to try out some of the things mentioned here.

    Comment #31 by JCMay 23rd, 2009 at 7:27 pm

32. I forgot to add that I also love my scoops. The large one is perfect for muffin tin sizes and the small one for cookies.

    I also use my oven’s broiler several times a week, and in the summer the grill used used more often than not.

    Comment #32 by JCMay 23rd, 2009 at 7:30 pm

33. Running water. When our kitchen was being remodeled we didn’t have it in there, and I gained a new appreciation for it.

    Comment #33 by EmilyMay 26th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

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    Comment #34 by kitchenaidNovember 18th, 2012 at 7:30 pm

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