Six gadgets that belong in every cook’s kitchen

Here are some things that I can’t live without. (Okay, maybe this is an exaggeration, but they sure make cooking easier.) Make note of them as great gift ideas for yourself or another cook.

Trudreau Easy Grind® Pepper Mill

The pepper mill I had for years finally stopped working—the gears were stripped. I looked all over for a replacement. I settled on this one because it had all the features I was looking for. 

1.      You can grind pepper simply by cranking the handle on the top. The little black knob rotates so you don’t have to use your wrist. I don’t have carpal tunnel yet, but those who do will appreciate that. 

2.     The coarseness of the pepper is easily adjustable just by turning the knob on the top.

3.      The mill holds enough pepper that you don’t have to fill it up every few weeks.

4.     It is 7 inches tall. This is much bigger than the one I used to own, but I can still easily fit it on a cabinet shelf.

Here’s what the manufacturer says:

The Trudeau Easy Grind Unique four-to-one grinding system gives this mill four times more power than most grinders, and adjusting from fine to coarse grinds is as easy as turning the top knob.  Features a carbon steel grinder that always stays sharp. Lifetime warranty.

My only complaints: the crank was a little squeaky at first, and the knob on the handle was stiff. Both problems have gone away with use.

$34.99 from Sur La Table or same price at Amazon with free shipping

Terraillon BA-22 5-Pound Kitchen Scale

I had a Terraillon Scale that I bought 30 years ago. I wanted a new one because the plastic covering the numbers had become so scratched and foggy, it was hard to see.  I found this one, which has a sleek design and silver color, which works with my stainless appliances. The bowl on the top can be used two ways. You can have a flat surface, or you can flip it over to make a bowl. The bowl is also dishwasher safe.

This scale measures up to five pounds. I also use it as a postage scale, and it is fairly accurate enough for me to determine how much postage to use.

There are also different models in red or white.

$17.91 Amazon

Melamine Reamer

I had a device that I got from Sunkist when I was a teenage, but sending in Sunkist labels. It was a reamer that was part of a strainer, which fit over a bowl.  It was yellow plastic. I loved it. But the force needed to ream a lemon eventually broke the plastic.  I bought a wood reamer, which worked fine, but you can’t put it in the dishwasher if you don’t want it to pick up a chemical smell.

I found this one at Crate and Barrel. It’s great. You can really dig it into a lemon or lime and get out all of the juice. Melamine won’t pick up any food stains. And it is dishwasher safe. Only negative is that you have to pick the seeds out of the juice. I solve this by juicing the fruit over a bowl. The seeds are easily removed with a spoon.

$3.95 Crate and Barrel

Swing-A-Way Jar Opener

I grew up with one of these in my mother’s kitchen drawer, so when I started living on my own, I bought one, of course. They used to be available at grocery stores and anyplace that sold kitchen gadgets.

It is THE best tool for opening jars with no effort.  Recently, my mother misplaced hers. I was shocked to find out how difficult they are to find. I think they are discontinued. The only place you can find them is on eBay—somewhat expensive for what it is. The cheapest price I could find was $13. One seller sold a three-pack for $39 (buy them as gifts!)  Track one down before they are gone.

Microplane Zester/Grater

Microplane manufactures this tool in several sizes. The one I have is called the Classic Zester/Grater. It I meant for citrus zest, chocolate, hard cheese, coconut, ginger, and garlic. I use it a lot for zesting lemons, limes and oranges.

I used to hate zesting, but this tool makes it so easy!  It has surgical-grade stainless steel blades. It’s dishwasher safe. And it comes with a plastic cover to protect it in the drawer. I have though about the other sizes, but don’t know that I really need them. But this one is a must.


Widely available...Target; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Crate and Barrel, etc.  About $13-16

Small Stacking Glass Prep Bowls

These bowls are great for prepping for a recipe that requires you to add ingredients at different times. I have both sizes: 12 ounce and 5.5 ounce.

Williams-Sonoma sells them for $24.95 for a set of 8 (4 of each size.) I bought some at a dollar store (Dollar Tree) for 4/$1.00!

Amazing Chicken Picatta

I made this the other night and can't stop thinking about it. It was soooo good. I never used to be a caper fan, but have changed my mine. The capers in this sauce become very mild. The last step of this recipe where you simmer the chicken in the sauce adds an incredible flavor to the chicken. ( I like Ina Garten's recipe just as much, but it is totally different.)

Chicken Picatta
by Giada de Laurentiis with a few tweaks by me

Ingredients
2 skinless and boneless large chicken breast halves, pounded until about 1/2 inch thick. Cut each in two pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
All-purpose flour, for dredging

4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup capers, rinsed with water
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the chicken and just until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and transfer to plate.

Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Whisk remaining 2 tablespoons butter into sauce. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.