Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets: My Top Picks

OCTOBER 2022

On multiple occasions, I’ve been told that it seems I spend more time in the kitchen than anywhere else. And, I’d have to agree. As of a result, I’ve become accustomed to different gadgets - here are my staples:

Blender

For obvious reasons…this gets used in my household on a daily basis. I use my blender for smoothies, soups, pesto, other sauces, and the odd batter. Check out my current favourite smoothie recipe here.

I like these: Vitamix, Nutribullet

Juicer

One of the best investments IMO. While upfront it is hefty, if you want to make juice regularly, this ends up being SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than buying individual juices. Plus, you know exactly how it’s made and what’s in it. Oftentimes, I hear people say that juicer-cleanup is extensive. In less than 10 minutes I can make and cleanup, so I would beg to differ.

The one I use: Breville

Food processor

Recently, I have come to appreciate a good food processor for baking and making dips. While often compared, the main difference between a food processor and blender is in the type of blend – a food processor pulverizes whereas a blender purees. For something like a thick dip (e.g. a hummus or babaganoush), I would opt for a food processor. Otherwise, I find that the garlic and any food chunks aren’t properly combined in a blender because they get stuck at the bottom. (For something like pesto though where I want a super smooth and creamy texture, I would choose a blender.) I’ve also found that a food processor is ideal for certain baked goods involving a crust or thicker layer where I want the pieces grinded but not necessarily in a paste or runny batter. (Note: if I had to choose, I would pick blender.)

The one I use: Kitchen Aid

Baking trays

The bigger the better! I use mine multiple times a week for different veggie combos to roast and bake. Some of my fall favourites include roasted cauliflower and butternut squash. Plus, not having to use foil/parchment is a huge plus – simply add some olive/avocado oil and you’re good to go.  

I like these ones: Pyrex

Nontoxic pots and pans

A hot (no pun intended) topic in the wellness community, nontoxic pots and pans are the way to go. Why? To minimize risk of harmful chemicals contaminating our food. Personally, I use stainless steel. Other nontoxic options include ceramic, glass, aluminum, cast iron and porcelain. Nonstick pans are where we run into the problem – they are notorious for being coated in chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the most common brand being Teflon. Sure, I have to wait an extra minute for my pan to heat up before cooking, but to me, that’s totally worth it.

I like these ones: Lagostina

Silicone + glass containers

In Grade 8, I wrote my persuasive speech on why an ingredient called Bisphenol-A (BPA) should be banned. BPA is found in most plastics, the lining of many cans and disposable cups, receipts, and much more. It is a known fact that when plastic is heated, it releases chemicals, such as BPA, which can leach into food. These have been linked to fertility problems, heart disease, and even cancer. This is why I was shocked to learn that plastic is still widely used in the kitchen in containers, spatulas, ladles, etc. For containers, I always recommend glass. That way, the food is not at risk of contamination and this can be heated up directly in the oven/microwave. As for spatulas and serving spoons, I opt for silicon and stainless steel, respectively. Silicon is as gentle as plastic on cookware and can go right into the dishwasher. Note: plastic is never suited for microwaves and dishwashers.

The spatulas and glass containers I use: Master Chef; Anchor

Stainless steel utensils I like: FineDine

A signature mug + Bodum

A signature mug never goes out of style. As a resident tea-drinker, there is a certain coziness and ritualization that comes with using my favourite mug. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the nicest one, but it will feel the most comfortable and elevate the warm-beverage-experience even more. For me, it’s my “P” mug from Indigo. Along with this, I am obsessed with my Bodum French Press which I use almost daily to experiment with tea infusions and steep various herbs.  

A similar mug to what I have: Indigo

The French Press I use: Bodum