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I’ve always believed that it’s possible to create great meals with a few simple, basic kitchen tools.
There are many products and appliances on the market that are very helpful, innovative, and trendy, but they don’t necessarily make you a better cook. Some may make your life easier, such as a good name brand standing mixer, or a juicer. Some provide a bit of added comfort and protection, like a good pair of kitchen clogs.
Then there are some appliances that just provide more dishwashing opportunities, or have too many parts to inevitably be lost. However, there are also those mega-splurge tools over which cooks everywhere salivate. Here are a few of mine.
Main Squeeze
I have a small hand juicer that is absolutely essential because I cook with a lot of citrus for its bright, clean flavor and acidic balance. What cook wouldn’t love either a large, industrial sized hand-crank or electric juicer?
It would come in handy for making marinades, dressings, homemade juices, cocktail mixers, and so much more. I’ve been eyeballing the Hurom HU-100 Masticating Slow Juicer available in three colors via Amazon. It looks to be a very well put together product that should last many years.
Hurom HU-100 Masticating Slow Juicer
Mix it Up
I’ve had my KitchenAid stand mixer for almost twenty years. It’s a phenomenal piece of equipment, and I couldn’t live without its stable presence in my kitchen. Most cooks crave ownership of one with a large bowl capacity and a revved up, heavy duty engine that can stand up to any dough or attachment, such as the KitchenAid standing artisan mixer, or a heavy duty Viking.
It goes without saying that a few attachments would be a nice touch, such as the food grinder, pasta maker, ice cream maker, or perhaps the sausage stuffer.
Cup of Joe
I love lattes! I also love my modest Delonghi two-shot espresso machine, but it would be heavenly to take my caffeine addiction to the next level with a top of the line model.
My dream machine would not only make the perfect espresso with its dark, bitter bite and creamy crema, but would include an automatic grinder and a hot water dispenser as well. The Gaggia Accademia Espresso Machine is high on my want list, but man is it pricey. Perhaps Santa will bring it if I ask nicely enough…
Gaggia 1003380 Accademia Espresso Machine
Pots & Pans
One of the most basic elements needed in the kitchen is a set of cookware. I have a very fine set, but when you cook every day, these will eventually need to be replaced. Many home cooks dream of owning a complete set of top of the line cookware, such as All-Clad, Le Creuset, Emile Henri, and others.
A whole set may prohibitively expensive, but a gentle hint at a birthday or Christmas could result in a new piece to add to your cupboards.
A Sweet Scoop
I dream of ice cream! I’ve put off purchasing an ice cream machine for one reason only: I’m afraid, very afraid, of the consequences. Yet, as a cook who doesn’t believe in deprivation (only moderation and a lighter look at most dishes), I would love to experiment with different kinds of ice cream at home.
I remember helping my grandmother to make it with an old hand-crank machine, using lots of ice and salt. While that made for good memories, it’s not really necessary anymore.
There are lots of fairly inexpensive models out there that are easy and quick to use, so this might be the most feasible kitchen addition on my list.
Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker
Vino Veritas
So many foodies enjoy wine, and a home wine cellar/cooler would be the ultimate gift, fulfilling one of their top desires in this area. I know my fridge is usually pretty full, and it can sometimes be difficult to fit in my bottles of white and rosé so that they are chilled.
Another advantage is that these can be placed anywhere in the house, freeing up some much-needed room in the kitchen. They’re a wonderful “investment” piece if you’re a wine collector with limited space, or if you just enjoy having enough wine on hand to throw an impromptu bash.
Cool Storage
Speaking of room in the fridge, one of the ultimate kitchen splurges would be an oversized, top of the line fridge. They have so many added options, and enough room to make entertaining and storing a breeze.
But, they’re also tremendously expensive. Personally, I would be just as happy with a reliable, top-brand fridge that was larger.
These items are on many a cook’s wish list. These culinary enthusiasts don’t necessarily have to have any of them in order to create mouthwatering meals, but they would certainly make life in the kitchen more fun!
Of course we could live without them, but we all have dreams, and it’s only fitting that foodies fantasize about food-related things. So keep wishing, and maybe one of these days the kitchen fairy will deliver your most-wanted item when you least expect it.
About Lynne Jaques
Lynne is a stay-at-home mother of two boys. As a former US military officer and the spouse of an active duty US military member, Lynne enjoys traveling the world (although not the moving part!) and finding new cuisine and methods of preparing food. She also has the habit of using parenthesis way too much!
You know, a juicer would be nice, but I honestly prefer my little glass hand juicer. I’ve had several electric juicers, and trying to get all of the pith and pulp out of the juicing basket is a nightmare. With my glass one, I just have to rinse it real quick after use and it’s completely clean.
I think my most wanted and wished for item right now is a pizza stone. I keep putting off buying one because I have storage issues in my kitchen, but gosh I would love a pizza stone!
Yes!!! Finally something I don’t need to buy…. a pizza stone. I’m not a pizza eater so I don’t have to worry about one of those…seems like everything listed in this blog I NEED! Lol…now I don’t feel so bad 😀
Oatey,
Your comments are exactly why I’m looking at one of the better masticating juicers – they should work better and be easier to clean than the cheaper centrifugal kind.
I have that Cuisinart ice-cream maker. Even with sugar substitutes, it takes about 25 minutes to get it done. One thing, though: once you put your ice-cream in the freezer, prepare to microwave the whole thing any time you want to scoop out some!
Are you saying it works that well, or is that a drawback to the brand?
A juicer and an ice cream machine are definitely on my ‘wish list’. I may can get along pretty well without an espresso machine right now, unless I marry a coffee man and/or my daughter comes home from school craving coffee…lol
I do have a nice coffee maker, but I know, I know…it’s NOT comparable to an espresso…… wow. I’m going to need a lot of money to equip my kitchen…..
The masticating slow juicer is now on my wish list. I have a cheap centrifugal kind that I bought about 3 years ago, and I’ve noticed recently that it is not extracting as much juice as it did in the beginning. Also, it is a very noisy machine. For some reason, I imagine the slow juicer will be quieter.
I hope Santa brings you at least one of the things on your wish list . 🙂
This is a helpful article! Its very important to have appliances that will make our lives in the kitchen easier. Price tags are worth it as they should last for many years – they are really investments. Sustainability guarantee is a must, and is the one that’s safe around the kitchen. I want to save money in the long run, like your Kitchen Aid stand mixer!
Must-haves on my kitchen wish list, the ice cream maker and the espresso machine…about the juicer, am still torn on whether to add it to the list or not, time will tell. Critical time to start saving for those essentials :).
Oh my gosh I need an ice-cream maker so badly! It would make my life so much easier because I make a TON of icecream. I’d also like one of the juicers but I could live without it. I’m thinking of buying myself an ice cream machine as a gift for Christmas though!
Oh I would also love an espresso machine, like the one above. While it may be expensive, it is also expensive to buy a $5 latte every day, especially if more than one person in your house buys espresso drinks. A nice machine like this one would last a long time and probably be worth the investment in the long run. This would also be an awesome addition to your kitchen for use during parties or when family and friends come over.
I am all about that slow juicer. I have been told I buy far too many gadgets for my own good but just seeing this one gave me so many mind bending ideas. Plus, there’s almost no waste. I can use the leftover pulp to incorporate into crackers, bread, or pizza dough. Even into my dog’s food! Now I have to buy something else.
I’ve always wanted to get a juice, because I’ve heard that they can make really delicious drinks. I live in Florida, so a lot of places around here have fresh orange trees outside of their houses. Also in the spring time, a lot of people will just grow a few fruits and vegetables, and I’ve always wanted to try making juice out of them.
I mean a juicer and icecream maker would be nice but I am definitely I need of an espresso machine. Maybe then I can stop going to the coffee shop for my espresso.
Those are some cool gift ideas! I LOVE the ice cream machine. I would love to make those at home!
Home-made ice cream is so much tastier and healthier than store-bought ones. The juicer is also pretty cool, though.
Oh man, too bad I saw this post a bit too late. I have an aspiring cook/chef friend who just had her birthday a few months ago, her request was any kitchenware. Well, I had really no idea what area she specializes in before so I just gave her something for baking -because she wants to build her own cafe some day.
At least now I have an idea what to give her next time :3 (I’m not sure if I’ll be able to afford any of these -or perhaps be able to buy them without 2nd thoughts, hahaha).
Thanks a lot!