The first edition of Friday Favorites is all about Must Have Kitchen Items for the everyday cook! Nothing fancy to see here, these are the links to my used cooking and baking tools. Keep in mind that these would all make great gifts! 

It took me quite a while to build up my kitchen. In college I moved into my first apartment where my family gave me all their old hand-me-downs: an old knife block, plates, pots and pans. Over the years, my roommates and I really built up a collection of mismatched silverware ;). When I got my first real job, I moved out solo and began investing in my cooking tools. After several years, a couple moves, bridal showers and a wedding, my kitchen is finally complete (for now). Throughout this journey, I have fallen in love with several products that I am going to share with you today.

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I would never recommend a product that I do not personally believe in. I am not affiliated with any other retailer linked in this post. 

10 Must Have Kitchen Items

Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker – This is my all time favorite kitchen must have. I use it at least twice a week to cook rice and it comes out perfect every time! Add one cup of rice and 2 cups water. Cook on full power for 5 minutes then half power (level 5) for 15 minutes. That’s it! Perfectly fluffy rice every time.

Kitchen Aid Can Opener – You may think “oh who cares about a can opener” but if you’ve ever had a bad one, you know how critical it is to get one that works. This is the best can opener I have ever used; it’s simple and effective.

Silicone Kitchen Utensils – Silicone utensils are absolute must have kitchen items because they protect your non-stick pots and pans. I love using wooden utensils but these are heat-resistant, dishwasher safe and will last you forever!

Silpat Silicone Baking Mat – Sticking with silicone, this mat prevents baked goods from sticking to your baking sheet. They are easy to clean, too; just pop them in the dishwasher!

Microwave Bacon Grill Pan – Oh Lord, I know I’m about to catch some heat for this one. It’s like a cardinal sin to microwave bacon, right? We eat a lot of bacon on the weekends and when I have eggs cooking and bread in the toaster, I don’t have time to babysit a pan of bacon. Not to mention, grease pops all over the kitchen and requires a lot of clean up. Hear me out, what if I told that you can have fully cooked bacon within in 4 minutes with little to no mess? Check this one out for sure.

Le Creuset Cast-Iron Dutch Oven – Yes, this one is an investment. If you’re serious about cooking and looking for a tool that will allow you to build serious flavor, this is it. I use my dutch oven for many dishes including chili, soups, pot roasts, etc. You will have this forever and it will likely become a family heirloom. This would be a great gift for any woman in your life (or man for that matter).

Calphalon Flat-bottom Wok –  We received this wok as a wedding gift and now, I can’t imagine life without it. I love cooking stir-fry, teriyaki chicken and lettuce wraps. This wok is great for cooking at high temps and it is HUGE so you don’t have to worry about spills. 10/10 would recommend for anyone who loves cooking Asian inspired dishes at home.

Wooden Salad Bowl Set – I will never make a salad without this again. It’s a high quality piece and easy to clean. That’s all there is to it. Makes a great gift!

Programmable Crockpot – It’s that time of the year when slow cookers are out in full force. If you are a fan of the show “This Is Us” you know that a programmable CrockPots are must have kitchen items not only for convenience but for safety *sheds a tear for Jack*. This one also has a lid lock and handles so it is easy to carry! If you purchase this item or already own a slow cooker, check out my recipes for White Chicken Chili and Pot Roast and Vegetables.

3 Scoop Set – Sure you can scoop ice cream but these scoops can be used for so many things: cookie dough, pancake batter, perfectly portioned cupcakes.. the list goes on! I use these scoops at least once a week!

There you have it! 10 Must Have Kitchen Items from yours truly. If you enjoyed this post,  let me know in the comments section below and share on social media. I’d love to create similar content if it’s something you guys find helpful!

Kelsey Renee

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