There are a variety of different kitchen utensils and many kinds of the the same item. I learned to cook from watching my grandmother when I was little and she taught me a lot of the basics. Because I learned from her, I still sort of cook like her: “a little of this, a pinch of that, whisk until fluffy, cook until browned, stir until slightly gelled and sticks to the spoon when lifted out of the pot” things like that. I also married a chef and that sort of kitchen talk just doesn’t cut it {No pun intended}, so he has taught me to time things, measure, and write things down. This helps with my recipe creations. I can’t exactly be there in your kitchen with you telling you that you’re doing it right or wrong, so I need to be specific.

To allow myself the time I need to do things right, I have selected a handful of items that I cannot cook without. Eating clean means I work with a lot of produce so there are a few pieces that I go to daily: my peeler, paring knife {Because sometimes I use that to peel vegetables like my Grandmother did}, my trustee knife for all of the chopping, and a flat wood spatula for stirring when sauteing. While these may be my top tools, there are a few more that make up my repertoire. Here are all of the handy kitchen utensils that show up in my kitchen often:

My knife- it fits perfectly in my hand, I only use one, and I use it for everything. I am constantly washing it in between ingredients.

Masher- I have recently become obsessed with mashed roasted cauliflower so this tool gets a lot of use in my kitchen. I use this when making a chunky soup or chowder too.

Strainer– I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and am surrounded by incredibly fresh fruits and vegetables. I have fallen in love with ice cubes made from fresh fruit juice. This is surely not an easy task but my strainer {in many sizes} makes things go a bit smoother. I’ve discovered the process of cold pressed coffee too and my strainer makes a cameo about every other day to help me out.

Cheese Grater– Well cheese has been one of my favorite food groups {yes, I would consider it it’s own group, but I know it’s not…} for years. The cheese grater has other uses: to grate vegetables for fresh salads, to make “rice” out of cauliflower, to make zucchini “noodles” look sort of like penne, and more.

Flat Wood Spatula- This is the main utensil I use to cook with. It works well in cast iron, non-stick, and in stainless steel, so I am safe no matter what pot or pan I am using. This spatula is good for deglazing pans, mixing heavy stews and soups, flipping eggs, stirring scrambled eggs, and sauteing vegetables. It’s a staple for sure.

Paring Knife– I bought a paring knife from Sur La Table because I wanted something small to cut radishes and other smalls ingredients in my hand. I use this to peel produce, cut the tops off strawberries {without wasting the good parts}, and slicing small fruits and vegetables.
Scraper/Spatula- This is good for many things. It’s a handy when making rice out of raw cauliflower in the vitamix. It’s a must have.

Measuring Cups- Well…because sometimes you just have to measure.

Ladle- Being the soup queen that I feel that I am, I of course need a ladle in my life. I love this kitchen tool and I dislike it at the same time, mainly because it only has one use. But, I need it, so it’s here on my list.

These are the items that I could not live without in my kitchen. Cooking is so much fun and soothing for me. My kitchen is my happy place, I feel really at peace in it. My whole experience is made better with the great things that I have to utilize. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, well I suppose the way to mine is with the tools it takes to make the food.

Here is a set of kitchen utensils that will get any cook started. This is a great first set.

And Wooden Spoons….