For a while now I have wanted to share a little bit of myself with y’all. Food is my world. And with that being said there are a number of kitchen items and accessories that I feel are must haves. I have my favorites, of course, and I hope to explain why they are my “must haves.”

Knives: Good, sturdy, SHARP knives are essential for all kitchens. I have a small collection of Shun knives, all of which have different uses. My collection consists of a 3” paring knife, a few specialty knives, a flexible boning knife, a utility blade, and a few chefs knives of varying lengths. But my favorite blades for everyday use are my 6” chefs blade and a good serrated blade for bread.

If I could only keep 2 knives in my kitchen, I would definitely keep my chefs knife and the serrated blade for sure. Those two knives can get almost all the work done. My favorite place to buy my knives in Williams-Sonoma (https://www.williams-sonoma.com). If there is not a location near by you, check them out online. Their customer service representatives are always very helpful.

Wooden cutting boards: Sharp knives and wooden cutting boards go hand in hand. Using glass and plastic cutting boards can dull or even ruin your blade. My personal preference is to have a few different sizes as well as one with a moat for use with meat. The moat is helpful to capture juices from cooked meats so you don’t loose all the good flavor.

I have found my bamboo cutting boards at a number of places, but a good place to get a good variety of inexpensive ones is Bed Bath & Beyond (https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com). They offer coupons that can be applied towards your purchase, too! And who doesn’t like saving money?

Wooden and Stainless Steel utensils: In my opinion, the best options for cooking utensils are always wooden spatulas, spoons, etc. They are very versatile, working well with any cookware you own. The only drawback to wooden utensils I have found would be the fact that they splinter over time and can be fragile and break. But it is best to get new ones every few years anyway. I also like a good solid stainless steel spatula for use with my cast iron cookware.

Tongs: There are a variety of tongs on the market, but my “go to” pair are made by OXO. They are stainless steel but are rubber tipped so they will not scratch my pots and pans. They also have a easy to use locking mechanism so they can be closed when not being used. I have purchased them at both Williams Sonoma and Bed Bath & Beyond. Both retailers have coupons which can be applied towards your purchase with possible free shipping. What could be better?

Ceramic cookware: For many of my meals, I love to use ceramic skillets of varying sizes. The ceramic finish mimics the feel of non-stick, but does not have the toxic plastic surface which can leech into the food being prepared. There are a number of good brands on the market. I would love to get more myself. A great starter set can be purchased from Williams Sonoma (https://www.williams-sonoma.com) for a reasonable price.

Cast iron cookware: Although cast iron cookware is heavy and rust prone, I love to use it. Cast iron, if kept seasoned properly can be a great non stick option. And not to mention the sear you can get! Porcelain coated cast iron cookware is also a must have in my opinion. A large Dutch oven can be used to make anything from soups or stews, and sear roast pork loins to proofing a quick sourdough bread. The possibilities are endless!

Great starter cast iron pieces for any kitchen are a cast iron griddle, a 12” skillet, and a 7-quart Dutch oven. There are a number of good brands available on the market. I personally own Lodge cast iron skillets and griddle, and Le Creuset Dutch ovens in a couple sizes. Keep your eyes peeled. I have found both brands at discount stores, and when I do, I snatch them up!

Kitchenaide Stand Mixer: If baking or mixing is in your future, this is a must have in your kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, I like using my electric hand mixer as well, but using my Kitchenaide stand mixer is a lifesaver. They are especially handy when recipes call for multiple steps or multiple items being mixed in separate bowls at the same time. Not to mention all the attachments that can be purchased for use with the stand mixer. These attachments make this a great multi-tool for the kitchen. When my husband bought mine as a Christmas gift years back, there was a deal to receive the meat grinder attachment for free! Of course I submitted the rebate paperwork to get the grinder attachment and it has come in handy! We use it every year when my husband goes hunting.

Next I am thinking of purchasing the pasta attachment and the spiralizer. The possibilities are endless.

Rice cooker: Although I do not eat nearly the same amount of rice as I did growing up, I still make rice a fair amount of the time. Let me be honest, cooking rice without a rice cooker can be tricky. When cooking rice in a pot, I tend to burn the bottom. Plus, when cooking rice in a rice cooker, I am able to set it and walk away. It’s great!

There are a great cookers on the market. Many come with accessories such as a measuring cup, a steamer rack and a steamer basket. So a rice cooker can also be a great kitchen multi-tool. The rice cooker I currently own is a Zojirushi and I love it. It is super simple to operate and clean up is a cinch. This model is the type I grew up with and will probably always own. This brand can be found at a number of retailers ranging in price ($50+ depending on what options are available on the model).

Food processor and/or blender: Sometimes a chopping blade makes the job easier. So if you have a blender or food processor, you know what I am talking about. One thing I like about food processors over blenders is the available shredding discs. Food processors can grate, slice, shred, and purée. Blenders can only chop and purée. I am lucky enough to have both tools. But if I had to choose. I would have a larger capacity food processor versus a blender.

Slow cooker: Although I do not cook much with my slow cooker, it is such a handy accessory to have. They are handy for those meals I do want to allow to sit all day long. They are wonderful for parties to keep items warm, and even for making warm beverages during cold winter months like wassail or spiced cider.

This list could go on and on. And maybe there will be a part two to this post. But for now, these are the items that I just can not live without in my kitchen. Whether they are time savers or multi-functional appliances, they all have a purpose in my kitchen and get used on a regular basis. I hope you add some of these items to your household’s kitchen.