Kitchen Basics

I generally like to make do with whatever I've got on hand in the kitchen (as demonstrated here, for example), but I also have some great tools (usually given to me as gifts) that make my life a whole lot easier on a daily basis and are worthy of recommendation. Some are ultra modern, some are ultra not.

Joseph Joseph Folding Colander

Love love love this colander. Stores flat, snaps together. Bought for me by my Mama in a cute kitchen store in Paris, you can get it online and, I'm sure, lots of other places too.

Trudeau Combo Salt and Pepper Grinder

Cute, compact. Grind one way for S, the other for P.

Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker

I've used and abused my trusty Bialetti for at least six years, replacing only the funnel. I heat milk in a pot and mix it with the espresso for a no-froth latte or add hot water to make an Americano. (Illy's my painfully pricey but gotta have it favourite espresso)

Salad Bowl by Dad

This big, beautiful salad bowl was made by my very talented wood-turning Dad. It's fifteen years old and still perfect in every way. In fact, I think it's improved with age. Salad tastes better when served out of it.

Cutting Board by Dad

He also made me this crazy-awesome, one-of-a-kind, wave pattern cutting board. Just go ahead and try to hurt / outlive it.

Various Iron Skillets

When it comes to iron skillets, I'm a lot like those pesky religious fanatics who are always trying to convert you to their ways. So listen up! They never warp, or shed their creepy non-stick skin (yet are, in fact, non-stick if you treat them even half-way decent), they really couldn't get along any better with heat, and actually add iron to your food! (Often, but not for everyone, a good thing) I clean mine with a bit of soap and warm water (see scrubber, below) and occasionally rub them with vegetable oil (called seasoning, which I've always found strange).

Plus, they look super cool hanging on the wall and match my curtains :)

Amen!

World's Best Pot Scrubber
(left, brand new; right, used for a few months)

These are as rough and tough as they are bright and cheerful. Made from recycled plastic fibres, they'll scrub the crap off your pots without scratching them. Also good for cleaning potatoes and the like. Machine washable.

Starfrit Silicon Pot Holder It's coming to get you...num, num!

These make taking things in and out of the oven quick and easy and keeping them clean is a piece of cake.

Paderno Eco Green Line Ceramic Coated Cake / Roasting Pan and Cookie Sheet

My lovely sister-in-law not only indulged my hippy tendencies when I indicated non-non-stick on my Christmas wish list, but actually found me something I didn't even know existed. Non-stick, non-scary ceramic coated Paderno bakeware with silicon grips.

Happy fun kitchen times! Go make yourself something to eat.