Kitchen Favorites
I love cooking whether it's by myself or with my husband. Cooking is something that is both creative and utilitarian. I love the sense of accomplishment I get from a well-prepared meal and also how both the act of cooking and eating brings people together. It's safe to say that a majority of my free time is spent in the kitchen and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In the last year especially, we’ve been making more investments in our kitchen tools. Since we spend a lot of time cooking and it's something we enjoy, we wanted to invest in pieces that were not only useful but also going to stand the test of time. As with anything I buy, I like to do my research to make sure I’m getting something that’s not only made well and going to last but also ideally made by an artisan or a company that truly values their product. I do believe that it's important where you put your money and that goes for everything, even your kitchen whisks!
John Julian Mixing Bowls - Every time I pull these bowls out, they make me smile. They are handcrafted and not only incredibly functional (I love the pour spout) but also a true work of art. These pieces were definitely an investment but they will be handed down for generations to come.
Staub 7-QT, Round, Cocotte - Arguably the most versatile piece in my kitchen and my first big investment many years ago. When my good friend was working at Dean & Deluca, she managed to help me score a steal on this piece and I’ve been using it almost every day since I moved back to Milwaukee. Made in France, this piece is a lifelong investment worth making.
Emile Henry Butter Pot - A beautiful way to ensure you always have spreadable butter ready, perfect for toast lovers! Emile Henry products are also made in France and guaranteed to last, making this a great investment.
Nordic Ware Sheet Pans - This is a well loved set of pans in our kitchen. From roasting veggies, sheet pan dinners to a batch of cookies, these do it all. I’m partial to Nordic Ware because not only are they a midwestern company but their products are USA made and have a lifetime warranty. I even have my granny’s old pan that I use regularly, now that’s an investment worth making!
Whisks from Best Whip - I was really excited to find a place that makes Whisks in the USA. We bought a few whisks from Best Whip and they are great quality. These are especially helpful for Saturday morning pancake breakfasts when it comes to mixing batter and whipping cream.
GIR Flip - The ultimate flipping tool, I’ve actually been thinking about buying a second one because this one is always in use. Bonus, most GIR products have a lifetime warranty and they come in some fun colors too.
Microplane Premium Classic Zester - Like all the other products on this list, this is almost constantly in use. Whether we’re grating parm or adding some zest to a dish this is THE tool. It's super sharp and easy to hold. Microplane just does it right.
Cook Beautiful - This is one of the cookbooks that gets pulled most often from my shelf. Athena Calderone’s recipes are healthy and straightforward. I also love how the recipes are separated by season which makes it easy to pick and plan.
