Really Good Kitchen Ideas Part One

Kitchen Gadgets that Really Work!

I've spent more time in the kitchen in the past six months that I have in the last 10 years. I've learned that if you want to eat healthy on a budget, you're gonna have to prepare your own food 90% of the time. I wouldn't consider myself lazy, but if there is an easier way to to do something I'm all for it. It's all about efficiency!

Today's really good idea is to share the kitchen gadgets that have become invaluable to me this year so you might get some great gift ideas for the efficient person in your life.

Immersion Blender: You can likely replace that big bulky normal blender with one of these (unless you like to chop ice a lot- wouldn't recommend it with the stick blenders). I got mine at Kohl's. It came with a wisk attachment that I never use and a tall container to blend in which I couldn't photograph because it's dirty. I make a batch of smoothies every day and so far my stick blender has held up to the task.

Citrus Squeezer: Yes, these really work and they are actually quite fun to use. You will get so much more juice out of your citrus! It's a very quick way to lightly season your fresh veggies, and add that essential lime juice to your guacamole. I've discovered that I have a knack for making very good guac, and I don't ever want to put ketchup or mustard on my veggie burgers again. The citrus squeezer has changed my life in many ways. Can't tell you where my model came from; it was a gift from the very smart friend of course. These things are everywhere.

Silicone Egg Cup Thing: My mom makes great eggs, and recently gave me her original set of egg coddlers. I used them for a bit but couldn't ever get the egg just right, never just like mom's.  Always watery or over-cooked, not qualities I was seeking in my morning egg. So I came across these modern versions which really work great!

Simply spray the inside of the cup with just a bit of your oil of choice, crack the egg in, and set in a shallow pan of boiling water. You will have to experiment with the amount of cooking time. If you like your whites cooked and your yolks a bit "loose", cook your first egg for as long as it takes your sprouted bread to toast and get "buttered".  That's my recipe for the perfect egg.  I found my silicone egg cups at my favorite local kitchen shop that I can't remember the name of but they are now dead to me anyway because they moved from their convenient location on Willy St. to the Capitol Square.

What's the best way to spray the inside of your egg cup? With a Misto of course! I have two of them, one for olive oil and one for the inevitable canola oil. I could use two more as my sister gave me some much-coveted avocado oil and a few flavored oils from Fustini's. Oil misters are great because they don't need propellents to spread just a light mist of oil on your pan or baking sheet. Plus, you will use a lot less oil. When you are shopping for one you will see some negative reviews about clogging. Those negative people did not read the instructions or just don't care; if you clean your mister out every once in a while you won't have a problem. Get a multi-pack; trust me.

Originally I thought I had just a few good ideas of kitchen gadgets, but as I was grabbing my citrus squeezer for tonight's guacamole batch I came across a few more 2011 acquisitions that just can't be overlooked. I probably should have done the Twelve Days of Kitchen Gadgets, but that really good idea will have to wait until next year... oh dear Lord someone has already done it.

Got a kitchen gadget that has changed your life?  Share it with the rest of us!