Kitchen Essentials for Under $50
Cooking isn’t something I really started enjoying until I had my own place. My mother was a supermom and always had dinner ready for us after school and all the after-school activities (she is a teacher so BLESS HER HEART managing it all). I grew up in a Pampered Chef kitchen, and my mom started buying me products when I was in middle school. Once I moved into my own apartment, I finally started experimenting with my kitchen tools! Quickly, cooking as an evening activity became a source of joy. Asking Alexa to play dinner music, bustling around the kitchen, chopping vegetables, and perhaps arranging a cheese board made me feel like a real adult with all her ducks in a row (ha!).
Once I really settled into my kitchen, I noticed that I kept picking up certain products. We all have our favorites - those kitchen items you keep reaching for again and again. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite kitchen essentials for less than $50! If you check out the video (below), it’ll show you how they function in my everyday.
1 . Wine Bottle Opener. It comes with a foil cutter, so you can avoid tearing up your fingernails trying to open a bottle of red. The hopper-style lever makes it easy (and quick) to open a bottle of vino. I’ve had this tool for a while and it still works as well as it did one day ONE.
2. Large Chef’s Tongs. I always hated that weird dangle thing that kept tongs together. These don’t have that thing (!) and you’re not fighting it when trying to flip food while cooking. You’ll have to watch the video to check out the magic.
3. Garlic Press. YOU NEED THIS THING. I hate having to mince garlic (or ginger) by hand. I’m always afraid of cutting a finger off. This garlic press is easy to use and comes with it’s own cleaning tool. Your hands will never smell like garlic, AGAIN.
4. Mix n Chop. The mix n chop might be at the top of my list of “things you never knew you needed until now” list. You can avoid carpal tunnel while trying to brown meat with a spatula, make guacamole and mash potatoes in NO TIME with this tool.
5. Food Chopper. One of the first Pampered Chef products I remember using. We use this thing to chop onions (no tears), veggies, nuts, etc. You could cut a whole onion (without crying) in less than three minutes. Chop whatever your heart desires!!
6. Champagne Stopper. This nifty little tool will keep your bubbly nice and fresh! It kept our bottle of champagne fresh for over a week (champagne doesn’t last long in our house).
7. Whipped Cream Maker. There’s really nothing better than berries and whipped cream. It only takes three ingredients to whip up some heavy cream magic and you should have 5-star topping in less than 5 minutes.
And these are some of my very favorites! It’s hard to choose, but I use these particular products OFTEN. Click the link above to shop - just search by item name! I hope you are able to add some magic to your kitchen. Let me know if you end up loving these tools as much as I do!
Let’s cook together! I’d love for you to join me on Instagram Live, August 30th @6:30PM CST. I’ll be whipping up an easy Mexican-themed dinner + dessert. I’ll link the recipes below, if you’d like to coke with me!
