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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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1 Comment 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!

This gin-based “hard” cherry limeade is the pe This gin-based “hard” cherry limeade is the perfect summer nostalgia…now all I need is some cheddar poppers from Sonic ☀️😜

Tap the link in my IG banner to get the (super easy) recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 

#cherryliqueur #cherrylimeade #summercocktails #sanguemorlacco
Getting to the perfect salted peanut butter chocol Getting to the perfect salted peanut butter chocolate shortbread cookie was QUITE the journey...but I absolutely love this final version.  Even better, the dough log keeps in the freezer so you can slice off a few cookies any time a craving strikes! 

Tap the link in my IG bio to get the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 

#peanutbuttercookies #cookies #bakingfromscratch #sliceandbake
An easy 10-minute spiced chickpea scramble that is An easy 10-minute spiced chickpea scramble that is full of flavor (I *always* accidentally make it too spicy), versatile, and a great plant-based lunch option. For me on a gut health/candida diet, this has become a go-to recipe when I need something fast!

Check out the recipe by clicking on the link in my IG bio & tapping this photo! 

#chickpeas #veganrecipes #plantbased #candidadiet
This basil gin smash is the summer cocktail you NE This basil gin smash is the summer cocktail you NEED! It’s delicious, ultra refreshing, & so easy…just a couple ingredients (critically, good fresh basil), 1 minute to shake, & you’ll be sipping tart herbaceous goodness.

Click the link in my IG bio & tap this pic to see the (crazy easy) recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking  #summercocktails #ginsmash #freshbasil #gincocktail
I’ve got savory, carb-y goodness comin’ at ya I’ve got savory, carb-y goodness comin’ at ya today, and who doesn’t love that?! A really good authentic focaccia requires at least 18-24 hours to make, but this "quick" Rosemary & caramelized onion version can be done in around 4 hours and is SO good!

See the recipe by tapping the link in my IG bio & choosing these pics! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#focaccia #easyfocaccia #breadrecipe #bakingfromscratch
This delicious spiced Middle Eastern grilled chick This delicious spiced Middle Eastern grilled chicken shawarma is a super easy weeknight meal this summer, whether cooking solo or for a crowd!

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this pic to get the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#grillingrecipes #chickenshawarma #healthydinner #weeknightmeals
This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my true love) is so delicious and refreshing…and has a secret ingredient to get that intense cherry flavor! 

Get the recipe by tapping on the link in my IG bio and choosing this pic—> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cocktailrecipes #sanguemorlacco #cherrylemonade #gincocktails
I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew ho I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew how easy it is to make at home! This is the best key lime pie recipe around, a perfect balance of tart & sweet, the creamiest custardy filling, and a sweet, buttery graham cracker crust 😍 

Get the recipe yourself by tapping the link in my IG bio & choosing this photo —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#keylimepie #keylime #easydessert #classicdessert
Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loa Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loaded” Thai chicken salad only takes 15 minutes to whip up and is packed with veggies, texture, & flavor! What really makes the dish is the sweet-spicy-savory dressing… *chefs kiss* 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to see the recipe!
#healthyrecipes #thaiflavors #healthydinner #cabbagerecipe
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