I have noticed that many of my recent posts have revolved around food, which isn’t a bad thing, to me. Ever since I have learned to cook when I was about 9 or 10 years old, I have enjoyed cooking. However, I think I enjoy working with my kitchen tools even more! In another of my infamous lists, here is a list of some of my favorite kitchen gadgets and accessories that I “can’t live without”. (I can, but I enjoy using them when possible!) Many of the tools are Pampered Chef products that my mom has amassed through the years. I am sure that it is possible to find these tools elsewhere, but I’ll denote each Pampered Chef item as necessary.
-Silicon Baking Mat & Cookie Spatula: I originally received this as a gift in a Dirty Santa gift trade a few years ago. Lots of my cousins didn’t think that I’d want it, because what 16-year-old in her right mind would want that? That shows how well they know me, because I was thrilled to pieces to have it. These two things take cookie making to an entirely new level of simple, especially when used together. The baking mat works just as well as greasing a pan or using parchment paper, but it saves on grease and is reusable, which makes it good for you and the environment! The spatula is the perfect size for cookies, and helps them glide right off of the sheet! Also, both are heat resistant up to almost 500 degrees!
-Smooth Edge Can Opener*: Have you ever sliced your finger on the sharp edge of a can? Have you ever tried to get that irritating little bit of food from beneath the lid of a pull-top can, but failed? Here is the solution to your problems! The opener hooks onto the top of the can, and after you turn the knob to open the can, its most unique feature, somewhat akin to tweezers, will pull the lid right off, rim and all! It even works on pull-top cans!
-Scoopers*: These scoopers are basically like certain types of ice cream scoops with the little arm inside that cleans the scoop out while portioning the food out. The PC scoopers do not, I repeat, DO NOT work for ice cream, unless it is softer. However, they are amazing for portioning cookie dough, making Cake Balls (recipe to follow in the future), and even portioning pancake batter. The uses are endless, and they also come in three convenient sizes.
-Egg Slicer Plus*: I have never used this item for slicing hard-boiled eggs. (Mostly because I have an extreme aversion/intolerance to them.) I have, however, used it to slice strawberries, and it makes a usually tedious job fly by. It has a cartridge of about ten wires set in its top half, which swings down to slice said food. I love it!
-Paring Knives: Out of all of the knives my mom has, the paring knives are one of my two favorites. I use them for all of my peeling and slicing needs. It is my favorite knife to use when preparing mashed potatoes. It has a small blade that can be easily maneuvered to go where you want it. Plus, the blade is sharp enough to fit your needs, but dull enough that, if you happen to bump your skin with it, it shouldn’t really cut!
-Mini Santoku Knife*: Anyone who has ever seen/used/owned an actual Santoku knife knows how large the real thing is (we have one of those also), but the Mini version is still a pretty decent-sized knife. It is my favorite chopping knife, especially for onions or peppers. It is my other favorite knife, and is constantly in the dishwasher!
-Nonstick Skillet: This thing is amazing! I recommend it for anyone who does any sort of cooking, especially with food that sticks (sauces, scrambled eggs, stir-fry, some soups, etc.) Literally, all it takes to clean this skillet is running it under some soapy water, giving it a rinse, and drying it. It amazes me how nothing has stuck to it yet, which is why it is also the most-used skillet at my house.
-Kitchen Shears: These shears work great for clipping off edges of bags, stubborn bag ties, clipping Box Tops, or even lopping off a chicken leg from a baked chicken! I always use them, but also have to clean them constantly (for the risk of cross-contamination).
The right, good quality tool makes any job easier and more enjoyable doesn't it? I love PC scoops too and have given them to both my girls. Not only do they do a great job but they feel good in your hands, don't you think? The other thing I love, from PC, is the...we call it the Slap Chop...but it is their chopper; saves tons of time.
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