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The Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With: What Every Kitchen Needs

August 13, 2021

The right tools make all the difference in the world.  They save time, energy, and frustration, and make the difference between a “so-so” dish and perfection. So today we’re talking about the must-have kitchen items that every cook or baker needs to have on-hand.

The Best Kitchen Gadgets & Tools for Every Cook or Baker | Having the right tools makes such a difference! These are must-have kitchen items that make things easier, faster, and better...from quality baking tools, to gadgets like a hand mill grater for cheese, immersion blender, and so much more | finding time for cooking #kitchengadgets #musthave #kitchentools

Why do I believe that good tools are so critical??  For starters, the number of times I got my finger instead of the potato with my old vegetable peeler.  Or just straight-up avoided grating fresh cheese because it was the WORST with a box grater.  Or made rubbery grilled chicken breasts.

BUT NO MORE!  Over the years I’ve found what I think are the best kitchen gadgets (and the must-haves) that are foundational to stocking any kitchen.  I’m not really getting into big appliances as much, like my stand mixer or large food processor…this is mostly small, more affordable staples.

If you have interest in grilling, I have a deeper list that speaks to the must-have grilling tools, as well as a post on the best mixology tools for at-home cocktail lovers.

The Best Kitchen Gadgets & Tools for Every Cook or Baker | Having the right tools makes such a difference! These are must-have kitchen items that make things easier, faster, and better...from quality baking tools, to gadgets like a hand mill grater for cheese, immersion blender, and so much more | finding time for cooking

Absolute must-have kitchen tools

A meat thermometer is critical to getting your meat perfectly done without overcooking it and also without cutting into it constantly (thereby drying it out).  It is my forever companion when grilling in particular, and it’s how I made the most amazing grilled chicken breasts.

I use it for bread as well, to make sure the bread is done, avoid a doughy center, and know when the bread is cool enough for slicing.

The best kitchen gadgets & must-have kitchen items anyone needs - a meat thermometer is a lifesaver

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3 Comments CATEGORIES // Food-Related Miscellany, Kitchen Gear

Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist

December 8, 2020

It’s no secret that I’ve been in love with learning how to mix up delicious cocktails and exploring different mixology flavors and techniques.  And I’ve amassed quite a few different gadgets and pretty things that make it easier and more fun. 

So if you have a budding home bartender in your life, here are some of the best cocktail gifts and fun gift ideas to inspire, enable, and make them smile!

Best Cocktail Gifts...for the Home Bartender in Your Life | As someone who's obsessed with delicious drinks at home, here are useful and fun gift ideas for the at-home bartender, DIY mixologists, and even just casual drinkers. Cocktail gift ideas, how to make cocktails at home, cocktail-themed gifts, gift ideas for men, holiday gifts for women...something for everyone! #giftideas #cocktails #drinkrecipes

Make it happen

Every at-home mixologist needs good tools, so if you’re starting with the best cocktail gifts you have to start here.

Cocktail shaker – It seems weirdly hard to find one I like, but this one is practical and beautiful, and has become my go-to shaker.  Bonus, it’s a bit bigger than most so it can very easily make 2-4 drinks at a time (DON’T JUDGE). 

An all-in-one kit for the beginner – Never a bad thing, if you’re really dealing with a less experienced home bartender then this has everything they’ll need to get started!

Cocktail mixing glass – I got this several months ago for those cocktails that you don’t shake, and I think it’s so pretty.  Whip yourself up some of my Rye Port Manhattans and enjoy!

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Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Drinks: Cocktails & More, Kitchen Gear

The Best Iced Coffee Ever…Using An Aeropress

September 29, 2020

I have a deep and abiding love for great coffee.  But historically I haven’t had a lot of iced coffee.  One here or there, but it wasn’t a habit.  Until the last six months of being at home due to coronavirus, when all the sudden I became a total master at making iced coffee at home using my Aeropress.

How to Make the Best Iced Coffee at Home | Making an iced coffee with the Aeropress is easy & delicious | finding time for cooking

And I somewhat accidentally discovered my hack for the best iced coffee ever…using sweetened condensed milk.  Now it’s not like I’m the first person to ever think of that (in fact, it’s a staple of Thai and Vietnamese coffee and iced tea).  

But I had some sweetened condensed milk sitting in my fridge from making a delicious bourbon milk punch cocktail, and wasn’t sure what to do with it.  On a whim I decided to use it instead of simple syrup, and realized that it added a lovely rich velvety quality, enough sweetness, and didn’t water down the end result like milk does.

Aeropress iced coffee, best and easiest at home

A long, long time ago I posted about the Pioneer Woman’s cold brew iced coffee recipe, and hadn’t really tried anything else until this Aeropress style.  It tasted fine enough but not amazing, and was kind of a pain to make, so I just never ended up doing it often. 

Just as I was about the publish this post, I found this article on Epicurious that explains why cold brew *doesn’t* give you the best tasting iced coffee, and it finally made sense to me.  It creates a more deadened, kind of stale flavor, uses way more coffee beans, and gets oxidized over time. READ THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Breakfast Goodies, Drinks: Cocktails & More, Food-Related Miscellany, Kitchen Gear

Best Milk Frothers For At-Home Lattes

February 24, 2020

Anyone who knows me is well aware of my love of good coffee.  It’s insanely well-documented (including in a detailed guide to Italy’s coffee and spending a morning exploring a Colombian coffee farm), and a great daily pleasure.

And while I love spending time in local coffee shops, I spend almost every morning sitting on my couch with my kitties…and I need that to include great coffee.  So one of the tools in my arsenal is a milk frother that helps me froth milk at home and make delicious cappuccino on my own!

The Best At-Home Milk Frothers (& Steamers) | I love good coffee, and for years have made my own lattes and cappuccinos at home on the weekend...perfect way to start the day! These are my favorite models ever, everything you need to froth milk at home. #coffee #cappuccino #kitchengadgets

And the thing is, they’re super affordable and easy to use—I highly recommend getting one to up your at-home coffee game!  I’ve had a few different ones over the past decade, and these are a few of my all-time favorites.

Chinya Automatic Milk Steamer & Frother

This one has been a game-changer for me.  It was recommended by My Cheese when I visited her in L.A. last year, and I loved how easy it is to use!  My milk steams and froths in less than 30 seconds with a great foam texture, and it’s super easy to clean (which is a major bonus).

BonJour Battery-Powered Handheld (with Case)READ THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Food-Related Miscellany, Kitchen Gear

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

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Recent IG Adventures!

While I eagerly await warmer weather, I snuck in o While I eagerly await warmer weather, I snuck in one last winter cocktail...here's some Sage Advice! It's a winter-y version of a whiskey sour bringing both cinnamon and sage, and then skirting the line of daiquiri with the substitution of lime juice for the traditional lemon. 

Tap the link in my IG bio & pick this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking
#cocktailrecipe #bourbon #bourboncocktails #whiskeysour
Forget your run-of-the-mill double chocolate cooki Forget your run-of-the-mill double chocolate cookies 🍫 These TRIPLE dark chocolate cookies (with a hint of whiskey & balance with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt) are rich indulgence without being sickly sweet. They're also soooo easy...no special tools, no dough chilling. Delish cookies in under 30 minutes! 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to get the full recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#chocoholic #chocolatecookies #darkchocolate #cookierecipe
A recipe that gets me to eat broccoli every day?? A recipe that gets me to eat broccoli every day?? SOLD. And it is so fast & easy that it can barely be called a "recipe"...these cumin roasted broccoli bits in the air fryer (though you can use an oven instead) are crazy fast, healthy, & delicious!

Tap the link in my IG bio & pick this photo to see the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#airfryer #broccoli #easysidedish #airfryerrecipes
I've been making these healthy 5-ingredient browni I've been making these healthy 5-ingredient brownies on REPEAT for a couple months now. And knowing that they only take a few minutes to make has been a bit dangerous on random Tuesday nights when my sweet tooth strikes! 

Oh, and I forgot to mention that they're naturally gluten- & grain-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, and (optionally) no sweetener added? 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 

#healthydessert #healthybrownies #glutenfreerecipes #vegandessert
This cranberry snack cake is seriously my platonic This cranberry snack cake is seriously my platonic ideal for a cake. I DREAM of this cake. A soft, moist, dense buttery vanilla cake batter is studded with tart fresh cranberries, with a tiny crunch of raw sugar on top. A perfect dessert or snack for pretty much any occasion...including with a cup of tea on a random Tuesday afternoon...

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe! 
--> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cranberrycake #cranberries #cranberryrecipe #bestdessert
These super easy marinated white beans are packed These super easy marinated white beans are packed with flavor & only take a few minutes to make! Even better?? They're best when made ahead of time (in 5 minutes!) and left for a day or two in the fridge for the flavors to really meld & intensify. 

This has become a go-to plant-based recipe, but I often throw some grilled salmon or chicken on top for a full meal. 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this pic to get the recipe!
#veganrecipes #vegetarianrecipes #whitebeans #plantbasedrecipes
A lot of people don't realize how easy & cheap it A lot of people don't realize how easy & cheap it is to make your own kombucha at home...you can have an entire gallon for less than the cost of one bottle at the store! 

I can't even keep a bamboo plant alive, yet have managed to keep the same "scoby" starter healthy & active for well over a decade. 

Here are easy step-by-step instructions for making your own kombucha at home, & the tools you'll need to do so! Tap the link in my IG bio (@findingtimeforcooking) & click on this photo to see the whole post.
#homemadekombucha #kombuchabrewing #healthyguthappylife #scoby
I'm not generally a soup person, though I'm trying I'm not generally a soup person, though I'm trying to be more 🍜 But this Turkish corba (a spiced red lentil soup) has always been one of my exceptions.  It's CRAZY easy to make, full of veggies and the protein from the lentils, and just feels like a warm hug in a bowl!  A great vegetarian dinner idea, perfect on any detox protocol, and just a great cozy recipe for the winter months.

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe!
#corba #redlentils #souprecipe #drcabraldetox
Today, we FANCY. But also lazy. When I first saw a Today, we FANCY. But also lazy. When I first saw a recipe for the "lazy person's kouign amann", I was intrigued...and it definitely lives up to the hype! The texture isn't quite the same as the much more time-consuming and complex authentic French pastry it's hacking, but it's darn close and absolutely delicious. 

To see the recipe, tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#kouignamann #frenchpastries #bakingfromscratch #frenchbaking
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