A good instant-read thermometer is one tool that is really great to have around the house. I can't tell you the number of times it has saved me from serving undercooked meat or chicken. When choosing a thermometer you want to make sure you get one that is easy to read, has a great response time, is accurate (this should be priority one), and has a well thought-out design. The thermometer that Read more

We've covered a few super basic kitchen necessities lately, so I thought today's Ultimate Kitchen would be a food processor. Now, food processors aren't absolutely necessary, but they really do come in handy. I use mine all the time for pesto, salsa, pizza dough, and a number of other culinary creations. When choosing a food processor the biggest concern should be size. Now you might think to Read more

Every kitchen needs a baking sheet (aka jellyroll pan). Not only are they great for baking cookies and pizza, but you can put it under a roast to catch drippings. So you're probably saying to yourself, okay but what's the big deal, a piece of metal is a piece of metal, right? Wrong. Think about it, have you ever put a sheet of cookies inside the oven only to hear this weird "thwoang" noise? That, Read more

If you ask any home cook what her favorite kitchen utensil is, I guarantee that at least half of them (if not more) will say her wooden spoon. A great kitchen spoon is a must have. Without one there is no tasting of broth, no mixing of cookies, none of that. When choosing a kitchen spoon, you want to make sure you pick one that is made from quality materials, if it's wooden, it shouldn't splinter Read more

In the kitchen there are usually a bunch of things that people take for granted and never think twice about. They get taken out to do their function and then put back as soon as possible. One of these items is a colander. When choosing a colander, you should look for one that is well balanced, not too big for your sink, fits in your cupboard, and has a nice solid base. You can pay over $50 for a Read more

This week's ultimate kitchen item is a great mixer. I know, it's a bit of a splurge, and not everyone is going to use it. However, if you bake a lot (or plan on becoming a better baker), then you might really want to consider one. And, if you're building a registry, it's a great item for people to chip-in and get for you, so go for it! My personal favorite (the one I have and love love love) is a Read more

The next item on my ultimate kitchen list is a 2 quart saucepan. This size is perfect for sauces, heating up small amounts of soup, oatmeal, etc. Try to find one that has a good grip and a handle that will not conduct too much heat. It should also have a heavy base that will conduct heat evenly. Also, make sure that the pan you choose comes with a well fitted lid. A good choice for your kitchen Read more

This one seems obvious, but the ultimate kitchen should have a cutting board or three. Traditionally cutting boards were big blocks of wood, however these days there are many different kinds of materials, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. For example, glass is very durable and easy to clean, however they are terrible for your sharp knife edges. Wooden boards, on the other hand, are Read more

When I'm at parties I'm always asked one of three things. 1- What's your favorite thing to make? 2- What's your favorite restaurant? 3- What's your favorite kitchen tool? The first two are hard, but the last one is the most difficult. There's so many to choose from: mixer, grater, food processor, pepper grinder, etc. Since there are so many so called "essentials" I've decided to highlight one Read more