I must confess that I’m a food-gadget junkie! I’ve got a kitchen drawer full of them, yet I always have to have the latest one. While it’s true that some of my kitchen tools wind up sitting in the back of the drawer, there are a few that I truly can’t live without. Here are four of my favorites.

Instant-read thermometer. I always come back to my tried-and-true, basic dial instant-read thermometer. I’ve tried the pricier digital ones, but once the battery dies, I never seem to replace it. While many homes are without this tool, it’s the secret to getting perfectly cooked beef, chicken and pork every time.

Microplane® zester. This was actually a woodworking tool that many cooks, like me, now find invaluable. The teeth stay razor-sharp, so it’s the perfect tool for both zesting citrus fruits and grating hard cheese, nutmeg, ginger or garlic.

Garlic press. There are many brands out there, but my favorite is the Zyliss Susi Garlic Press. It makes using fresh garlic a breeze, and it’s easy to clean. Plus, it’s really helpful when making recipes such as Toasted Garlic Bread.

Hand or Immersion blender. These gadgets get a lot of use, especially at this time of year. They make pureeing or blending vegetable soups easy because you can just blend right in the pot in which you cooked your soup. Two of mine for which this blender is perfect: Easy Creamy Broccoli Soup and Savory Spinach & Potato Soup.

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2 Member Comments

1. Posted 02/17/2009 at 14:32 PM by pspuma

   I always wanted a microplaner. Can you suggest a specific brand? Pattie Spuma

2. Posted 03/18/2009 at 14:47 PM by LaurenDellabella

   This is the one that I have ... I purchased it years ago in a hardward store. I believe they are still availabe at hardware stores.

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