Making the leap to becoming a whole food household can be a daunting task. If you have a crowd to please, like I do, it becomes even more difficult. However, there are a few kitchen tools that can make the transition a little easier. Here's my list of life-savers.
1. A full set of sauce pans and skillets with lids: We use a LOT more dishes around here when we don't eat from freezer to microwave. I'd regularly be washing dishes while trying to cook if I didn't have a whole set.
2. A sharp, high quality knife: You don't necessarily need an entire set of very expensive knives in your kitchen, but having one for those jobs that require a tougher or more precise utensil will make your life a little easier. Mine is the utility knife from the Pampered Chef's cutlery line. I love it because it was relatively affordable, works fabulously, and has a life-time warranty.
3. A sturdy grater: Store bought shredded cheese has additives to keep it from getting too moist and clumping. Block cheese does not. Grating your own cheese is difficult with a plastic framed grater. It's worth the extra $5 or so to spring for one that is all metal and far more heavy duty. It just might keep you from grating your knuckles as well.
4. Glass storage bowls: These are great for storing and heating leftovers without the possible harmful chemicals released by heating plastic. They also work well for bagged lunches, because it's highly unlikely that you'll find a healthy, whole food meal in the vending machine at work.
5. A sturdy stand mixer: I know a high quality stand mixer can be a big investment, but if you're planning on baking from scratch regularly, it's totally worth it. I find myself a lot more likely to tackle a batch of cookies, quick bread, or homemade whipped cream with my Kitchen-Aid on my side. Plus, Kitchen-Aid makes many attachments that can transform your mixer into many specialized kitchen appliances.
6. Pampered Chef's Kitchen Spritzer: Avoid aerosol cooking sprays but keep the simplicity of them. Fill this gadget with healthy liquid cooking oil and pump it to spray. I find I use a lot less oil that way. There may be similar items on the market, but I've never found one.
7. Coffee grinder: Organic, fair-trade coffee is tough to find pre-ground. If you're a coffee connoisseur, it's definitely worth having one around. It really opens up your options as far as the brands and types of java you can buy.
8. A microwave chip maker: If you have a chip fanatic in the house, you may want to consider investing in one of these. You simply throw thinly sliced potatoes on without overlapping them, season to taste, and pop them in the microwave, no oil necessary. It helps keep more processed snacks out of the house. You can even use other veggies like sweet potatoes and radishes. I found mine at, you guessed it, The Pampered Chef.
What kitchen implement do you use to make preparing real foods easier? What task in real food cooking do you wish was easier or faster? Maybe we can help each other find solutions to our whole food hang-ups.
P.S., below you'll see pictures of my microwave chip maker and one of my glass storage containers (please ignore the leftover steel cut oats inside it)
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