1. CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN
Mine is the Mario Batali version from Crate and Barrel - but I am sure any is as good. I make everything in here from soups to stews, to rice to pot roast. I use mine several times a week. They are excellent for retaining heat and evenly distributing it. Plus - an added bonus is that these pots clean up really easily! Also, I have the 13 x 9 and the Risotto pan and these are equally amazing.
Crate & Barrel's Enamel Line
2. STAND MIXER
I recently got the Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer from my mother for a birthday gift - best birthday gift ever! Although I have yet to fully explore the reaches of this machine, I can already say how much easier it makes everyday mixing especially for things like dough and meatloaf! It comes in every color imaginable. A secret - get it at Kohl's on sale when you have a coupon and when it is Kohl's cash time - this is the best bang for your buck!
3. KITCHEN SCALE
I have an electronic scale that I thought I wouldn't use, but let me tell you this thing is a blessing when recipes call for things in ounces or pounds! I think any kind would do.
4. DIGITAL MEAT THERMOMETER
My good friends Jenn & Le recommended this to us and it was a lifesaver especially this year at Thanksgiving when my automatic pop-up turkey timer popped up way too soon! Great for use in the oven or on the grill, and you don't have to make ugly cuts in the meat to see if it's done!
Ours from Kohls - ignore the reviews - mine works great!
5. SILICONE SPATULA
The best is the hefty kind with one flat side and one rounded side and a wooden handle. These have so many uses and are especially great to mix things like risotto or anything you cook in your cast iron! The best part is that they won't scratch your pots and pans and they won't break.
Our spatula from C & B
6. IMMERSION BLENDER
My mom got this for me in college and it is still going strong today. This multi-tool is perfect for blending soups directly in the pot (no messy transfer to blender), quickly mixing smoothies, etc. In fact today I used it to puree some pears for a muffin recipe. Mine came with a separate chopping attachment that I use mainly to chop/grind nuts for recipes.
7. WELL STOCKED SPICE RACK
Duh! This is another thing my mom got me in college - but now I am fully realizing it's potential. Now that I have cycled through the spices that came with it, I discovered that you can very cheaply by awesome spices in bulk at most grocery stores to refill. For example, a certain spice that cost $6 for a jar in the spice aisle cost 83 cents in the bulk section, and the spice was much more fresh and flavorful! I will probably dedicate a new blog to this later.
8. OVER THE SINK COLANDER
This has changed my life. I am very messy when I cook and fill my sink up with everything you can imagine. Then I always came to the part where I had to drain something and went "oh, crap!" but with this colander you can hold your items safely above anything scary in the sink. Awesome.
9. SMALL HAND VAC
We got this Dirt Devil Kurv for a wedding gift and it is the BEST for cleaning up dry spills in the kitchen or just tidying up the floor/counters after cooking. Also comes in many colors and is inconspicuous so we keep it right on the floor next to the kitchen. Ours is brown.
10. WINE DECANTER
Gotta love the Vinturi! Just pour your wine right through this thing into your glass and it aerates the wine for you! We always do taste tests and it pretty much improves the taste every time.
