Cooking Tools

Here are just a few of my favorite cooking tools.  



Wine - I usually try to wait for the sun to go down to pour myself a glass.  I consider it my cooking companion.  I like to have a glass by my side to aid in my cooking pleasure and get my creative energy flowing.



Viking six burner gas stove - Yes, I know I am lucky.  Some girls dream of fancy dresses, purses or diamonds...I remember the first time I walked into someones house that had a professional grade stove.  I think I said something to my mom like 'NOW that is a stove!' and I think the person didn't even like to cook.  I couldn't help think what a shame that was.  My husband and I recently remodeled our kitchen and the kids often talk about the day I opened the box and saw the stove.  'WOW, I love it, I love it!!' I screamed.  Then did a little dance of joy & went on & on about how beautiful it was.  Our other appliances are Viking, but my husband & l both agree the only appliance that was worth the money was the stove.


Kitchen-Aid Blender (or any powerful one) - I use this often! I use it to make sauces, salsa, crepes, pie fillings, hummus, pesto, juices, chop nuts, smoothies and just about anything that requires mixing.  Our blender gets used daily, if not twice a day.  I have scrubbed it clean but it still looks dirty.


Cuisinart mini food processor - This holds about a cup or two of liquids.  It was a gift from my friend Eileen's dad that I have had for almost 8yrs.  I almost bought a new one recently because the blade is almost broken.  But it might have another year of use.  This little mixer is prefect for grinding spices, salad dressings, chopping nuts, pestos, & mayonnaise.  
Lemon/Lime Juicer - great for a quick bit of juice or even a lot.  The seeds don't fall out as easy.   It is very durable and easy to clean.  I think I bought it cheap for $6.  I have a big juicer for making OJ or grapefruit juice.  But it is a lot more work to use and clean.

One of the three rice cookers in the house.  We have two this size and one gigantic one that we got from friends that left island, thanks An's.  I have thought of giving one of these away, but we usually make a batch of brown rice for the adults and white rice for the kids.  Our big rice maker is perfect for sushi parties when I make a big batch of sticky rice.
These pans hang over the stove and love that we don't have to dig around in the cabinet for a pan, so easy to use and so easy to put away.  Our non-stick egg frying pans get the most use.  our cast iron is nice too and finally seasoned just right.  I need to start using that more.
This is 'a must have' pot.  I am sure most people have one this size so wasn't sure it was worth mentioning.  But is great for sauces, beans, pasta, stews and bush tea.
Microplane zester & grater - perfect for a quick, fast zest of ginger, garlic, cheese over pasta.  Its super sharp, so just becareful not to grate your knuckles or let the baby play with it.  
Good knifes - We have a great variety of quality knifes.  The knife magnet/holder is very convenient for easy storage & use.  All our knifes could use a good sharpening.   
These are the best tongs because they have the little knob thing at the end so they stay closed when not using (easier to store).  I also recently bought these small measuring spoons.  I like that they are all stuck together so I can find them easier.  I could always find the tablespoon when I was looking for the teaspoon or vise versa.  

More favorite tools to come.  These are the top ones that come to mind.