Kitchen equipment you can't live without?
photo_kyla
Posts: 322 Member
Hi folks!
Since I started eating keto, I'm finding myself doing a lot more cooking from scratch and getting really excited about trying some recipes again. The problem is that I live in a ridiculously really small place and my kitchen is miniscule tiny (about 4 sq ft of counter space). While I would love to have all the cool kitchen gadgets and toys to use in food preparation, I just don't have space for it. So my question is:
If you had to have only one piece of kitchen equipment to prepare all of your keto yummies, what would it be? (excluding basics like stove & oven)
Since I started eating keto, I'm finding myself doing a lot more cooking from scratch and getting really excited about trying some recipes again. The problem is that I live in a ridiculously really small place and my kitchen is miniscule tiny (about 4 sq ft of counter space). While I would love to have all the cool kitchen gadgets and toys to use in food preparation, I just don't have space for it. So my question is:
If you had to have only one piece of kitchen equipment to prepare all of your keto yummies, what would it be? (excluding basics like stove & oven)
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I use my Magic Bullet daily to make my Bullet Proof Coffee and other than that I love my Ninja!! Its great for all the chopping & dicing & stuff. also a mandolin is great, even a cheap one makes life easier.0
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I have to pick one? But...choosing between my Vitamix and my Kitchen Aide is like choosing between air and water... (seriously, either one alone is like eight different things in one, especially if you get even some of the add-ons for either, and they complement each other on their capabilities, so it works out phenomenally well.)
I hear you on the counter space. We don't have a lot, and what we do have is broken up into arguably horrible sections (ie - eight inches wide between stove and wall, 12 between stove and sink, a quarter of what's left lost to a dark corner and the microwave, etc). We actually found that two of the smaller sections work well for the Kitchen Aide and the Vitamix to each have a place and not need put away all the time. Everything else goes in the "appliance garage" that is the corner cupboard under the counters, which isn't really good for anything else, but works great for the stuff we don't use as often (the Tassimo coffee maker, immersion blender, electric can opener, hand mixer, etc).0 -
It would be a really good digital scale. I recently purchased a "EatSmart Precision Elite Digital Kitchen Scale" and it makes recipes and carb/grams counting much easier. Before I was too random, probably eating more than I should. Now, when I make batches of cooked meat, I can weigh them and record it on the Zip lock bag for inputting into MFP.
I know this is not a "counter-top" item, but, I recently bought a set of "non-Teflon" ceramic coated pots & pans. They are the best pans I have ever used. They are for people that are tired of eating Teflon and tired of jack-hammering
food off that sticks/burns to the bottom of your pans. Great for Keto cooking.
Dan the Man from Michigan0 -
Dragonwolf wrote: »I have to pick one? But...choosing between my Vitamix and my Kitchen Aide is like choosing between air and water... (seriously, either one alone is like eight different things in one, especially if you get even some of the add-ons for either, and they complement each other on their capabilities, so it works out phenomenally well.)
Kitchen Aide mixer or food processor?0 -
Massive cast iron skillet. I cook everything in it, whether on the stove, in the oven, on a grill, over a fire, et al. I find it comforting to use cookware that will outlive me.
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Oooh, 5lloyd90, that's a good one. I wasn't even thinking of that. My immersion blender was first on my mind regarding LCHF gadgetry, especially for bulletproof coffee, whipping cream, beating eggs, mashing cauliflower. But I've had my trusty cast iron fry pans for 25+ years. So cast iron, 2 speed stick blender, then last, a sturdy baking sheet which can be stored in the oven when not in use.0
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It would be a really good digital scale. I recently purchased a "EatSmart Precision Elite Digital Kitchen Scale" and it makes recipes and carb/grams counting much easier. Before I was too random, probably eating more than I should. Now, when I make batches of cooked meat, I can weigh them and record it on the Zip lock bag for inputting into MFP.
I know this is not a "counter-top" item, but, I recently bought a set of "non-Teflon" ceramic coated pots & pans. They are the best pans I have ever used. They are for people that are tired of eating Teflon and tired of jack-hammering food off that sticks/burns to the bottom of your pans. Great for Keto cooking.
Dan the Man from Michigan
You bought my scale! I love it!
I second ceramic coated pans. Best eggs ever!
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Nic, I know, I got it from your recommendation! That's why I love this group. Thank you for taking the time to post it!nicsflyingcircus wrote: »It would be a really good digital scale. I recently purchased a "EatSmart Precision Elite Digital Kitchen Scale" and it makes recipes and carb/grams counting much easier. Before I was too random, probably eating more than I should. Now, when I make batches of cooked meat, I can weigh them and record it on the Zip lock bag for inputting into MFP.
I know this is not a "counter-top" item, but, I recently bought a set of "non-Teflon" ceramic coated pots & pans. They are the best pans I have ever used. They are for people that are tired of eating Teflon and tired of jack-hammering food off that sticks/burns to the bottom of your pans. Great for Keto cooking.
Dan the Man from Michigan
You bought my scale! I love it!
I second ceramic coated pans. Best eggs ever!
Dan the Man from MFP Land
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Digital scale - for measuring, duh.
Cast iron skillet - for searing meat and going from stovetop to oven
Food processor - for homemade mayonnaise, shredding chicken for buffalo chicken dip.
Nutribullet - for bulletproof coffee, when I feel so inclined.
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Blender - Can't start the day without my BPC! I have a really good one that acts as a food processor as well.
Slow Cooker - I cook so many cheap cuts of meat into deliciousness, then freeze it for later. I don't always leave it in the kitchen though - sometimes I plug it in and leave it in the laundry especially if its going to be a long cooking time.
My awesome, heavy duty frying pan - for eggs, etc like everyone else here! Mine can be cleaned with only a paper towel which is great, then placed straight back on the cooktop.
My little kitchen scales - you have to be accurate with your portions.
I don't have a stand mixer anymore (it died), but I have always been able to get away with a little hand held mixer (that cost about $10 from Kmart here) for whipping up egg whites, etc. Fits in a draw, and easy to store!0 -
i don't use a lot of gadgets. I use a variety of pots, pans, and knives for most tasks. I prefer my enamel dutch oven to a crock pot, because I can brown the meats to get much more complex flavors.
A good quality kitchen scale and instant read digital thermometers are two items I use all the time now that I never used when I started living on my own.
My favorite cooking device is my Pit Barrel Cooker. It gets great results. I can cook easily 20 pounds of meat on it at once. I portion and freeze, then I have meals I can reheat for a month or so. This week I made a pork shoulder and two whole chickens. Having said that, you can't use it in the kitchen.0 -
I'm pretty much in the same camp. I have a food processor, blender, juicer, kitchen scale, immersion blender, etc. But I could live without any of them.i don't use a lot of gadgets. I use a variety of pots, pans, and knives for most tasks. I prefer my enamel dutch oven to a crock pot, because I can brown the meats to get much more complex flavors.
I guess if I had to choose one item, it would be my Gaggia Brera espresso machine. I wouldn't get much else done without my morning coffee fix.
Oh, and my Japanese chef and santoku knives. Not really gadgets per se, but indispensable as far as kitchen work goes.
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photo_kyla wrote: »Dragonwolf wrote: »I have to pick one? But...choosing between my Vitamix and my Kitchen Aide is like choosing between air and water... (seriously, either one alone is like eight different things in one, especially if you get even some of the add-ons for either, and they complement each other on their capabilities, so it works out phenomenally well.)
Kitchen Aide mixer or food processor?
Mixer (I always forget that Kitchen Aide makes a food processor, even though it's on my wish list :disagree: ).0 -
Food processor. I never use my stand mixer because it's a pain in the butt to clean but my food processor is easily the most used utensil in my kitchen besides the frying pan.0
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I've come to the conclusion that I really need a food processor, especially if I ever want to make cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower (which I definitely do).0
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I have to choose one??? that's painful
I use my cast iron pans and skillets daily.
I use my stainless steel pans and pots daily.
I use my kitchen scale daily.
I use my crockpot 6-7 days a week.
I use my immersion blender 5 or more days a week.
I use my kitchen aid mixer 5 or more days a week.
I use my food processor 2-3 times a week.
I use my FoodSaver machine 2-3 times a month when i get meat or bulk something i need to freeze.
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A good heavy duty skillet. A good sharp knife.
Those two are enough for 99% of my needs.0 -
I don't know how I would go back to a kitchen without a food processor (I use it to make my own almond butter, sauces and butter if I can get my hands on whole milk from the farm)
That and my good knife set- good, sharp knives are a must in my kitchen!0 -
Without a doubt, cast iron skillet. Most versatile piece of kitchen equipment ever.0
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sljohnson1207 wrote: »Without a doubt, cast iron skillet. Most versatile piece of kitchen equipment ever.
I usually agree with you Johnson, but not this time. I just bought ceramic coated pans (no Teflon) and they are so good. I use to hate scraping things that got stuck to cast iron pans. The ceramic coated pans don't stick at all, its like magic.
Dan the Man from Michigan
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sljohnson1207 wrote: »Without a doubt, cast iron skillet. Most versatile piece of kitchen equipment ever.
I usually agree with you Johnson, but not this time. I just bought ceramic coated pans (no Teflon) and they are so good. I use to hate scraping things that got stuck to cast iron pans. The ceramic coated pans don't stick at all, its like magic.
Dan the Man from Michigan
I've got some of these. Love Love Love them.0 -
hippygirl325 wrote: »I've come to the conclusion that I really need a food processor, especially if I ever want to make cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower (which I definitely do).
My daughter uses a cheese grater to rice her raw cauliflower while raw....and a fork/potato masher for the cooked stuff - and she makes less of a mess than i do with my cuisinart.
I love my food dehydrator, but I don't keep it in the kitchen...its too big. You can run the thing in the garage if you need to! Doubles as a space heater...lol
I love making jerky....all kinds....and I like playing around with raw food recipes. making my own spice mixes, etc. Anyone needs some dehydrated okra???
I'd have to ultimately vote for decent pots and pans, and knives though, and the digital scale. That's three things, but I get all three because they can be stashed off-counter. Oh, I get my little coffee whipper thingy too. it fits in the kitchen drawer.
I change my vote to my macbook air. thats always in the kitchen, and on the counter.0 -
sljohnson1207 wrote: »Without a doubt, cast iron skillet. Most versatile piece of kitchen equipment ever.
I usually agree with you Johnson, but not this time. I just bought ceramic coated pans (no Teflon) and they are so good. I use to hate scraping things that got stuck to cast iron pans. The ceramic coated pans don't stick at all, its like magic.
Dan the Man from Michigan
LOL, Dan! I'm glad you like your pans. I've never had to scrape stuff off my cast iron skillet. Maybe I use too much fat in the pan!
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sljohnson1207 wrote: »sljohnson1207 wrote: »Without a doubt, cast iron skillet. Most versatile piece of kitchen equipment ever.
I usually agree with you Johnson, but not this time. I just bought ceramic coated pans (no Teflon) and they are so good. I use to hate scraping things that got stuck to cast iron pans. The ceramic coated pans don't stick at all, its like magic.
Dan the Man from Michigan
LOL, Dan! I'm glad you like your pans. I've never had to scrape stuff off my cast iron skillet. Maybe I use too much fat in the pan!
Could be Johnson. And, I used them decades ago. I'm remember cooking French fries in them and they stuck all the time. Maybe if I wasn't cooking hi-carb starches, they would behave properly?
But then again, I don't like the heaviness of the cast iron pans, it seems to me I had to hand wash them as opposed to dishwashing... oh well....
I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan
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sljohnson1207 wrote: »sljohnson1207 wrote: »Without a doubt, cast iron skillet. Most versatile piece of kitchen equipment ever.
I usually agree with you Johnson, but not this time. I just bought ceramic coated pans (no Teflon) and they are so good. I use to hate scraping things that got stuck to cast iron pans. The ceramic coated pans don't stick at all, its like magic.
Dan the Man from Michigan
LOL, Dan! I'm glad you like your pans. I've never had to scrape stuff off my cast iron skillet. Maybe I use too much fat in the pan!
Could be Johnson. And, I used them decades ago. I'm remember cooking French fries in them and they stuck all the time. Maybe if I wasn't cooking hi-carb starches, they would behave properly?
But then again, I don't like the heaviness of the cast iron pans, it seems to me I had to hand wash them as opposed to dishwashing... oh well....
I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan
I hand-wash my ceramic coated pans. They are hard anodized on the exterior, so it's better for them and they are so easy to clean that it is barely a chore.
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• COFFEE MAKER!!! (old school. I grind my own beans and use a metal mesh filter basket)
• cast iron pans
• crock pot
• salad spinner
• convection toaster oven (I use this probably 3-4x as often as the regular oven. It cooks faster and more evenly)
• SodaStream (I'm better about drinking water when I can have it fizzy)0
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