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5 Unnecessary Kitchen Tools I Love

Published on October 30, 2015 By Emily. Updated on October 30, 2015

Recently, Bon Appétit posted a collection titled “Totally Non-Essential Kitchen Tools We Can’t Live Without”.  The post got me thinking about the unnecessary tools I utilize regularly that definitely aren’t needed, but totally make my time in the kitchen more enjoyable. 

5 Unnecessary Kitchen Tools I Love

bookweight

1. My Bookweight – It’s hard to hold open a cookbook when your hands are dirty.  The bookweight does a great job of holding open a book, while making it easy to read.  Mine almost always lives in the kitchen and I use it regularly, though the bookweight could also find uses in other rooms of the house.

2.  A garlic press – lots of professionals will recommend learning how to properly mince garlic, thereby getting better flavor and removing the need for another “unitasker” in the kitchen.  But I love my garlic press.  Regardless of what a recipe’s instructions say (mince, smash, slice), I almost always press it. I find chopping garlic to be such a pain and this press works wonderfully.

storage containers

3.  Lots and lots of storage containers – I believe that I’ve commented before about my possibly too big collection of storage containers.  And just a few weeks ago, Brian and I bought another big set of Pyrex from Woot.  The size bowls in this set are awesome and they’ve allowed us to use even more glass instead of plastic.  (Also, you may be thinking “that picture doesn’t look so bad…”, but many of our pieces were in the dishwasher.  It’s a big of a puzzle to get everything to fit.)

4.  Podcasts – I like company in the kitchen.  Oftentimes, this company comes in the form of podcasts.  I enjoy listening to podcasts while I cook because they’re not as distracting as a show, but I still feel like my brain is getting some benefits while my hands are busy.  I use iTunes to manage the podcasts on my laptop, but I’ve also been listening using AntennaPod on my Android phone. 

pastry mat

5. Pastry Mat – My love of my pastry mat is no secret and I’m still using it on a very regular basis, most often for pizza dough.  Can you roll out dough on the counter?  Of course, but I’m not good at keeping my counters quite as clean as maybe I should.  Plus, it’s much easier to wash the pastry mat in the sink than it is to clean a flour-covered counter, at least for me.

What are your favorite unnecessary kitchen tools?

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My New Favorite Spice
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Filed Under: products Tagged With: advice

« At My Husband’s Request (CSA Menu Plan #43)
Hello NaNoWriMo (CSA Menu Plan #44) »

Comments

  1. Jocelym says

    November 1, 2015 at 9:59 am

    I don’t know if this is considered unnecessary, but I love my bread machine! I use it at least once a week, if not more. And my pastry brush, since I make rolls so often and brush butter on.

  2. steak knives says

    November 28, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    kitchen tools Website wonderful, I hope to see more offers and new threads

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Emily
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
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This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
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My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
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One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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