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🔪 Kitchen Tools & Favorites

A good kitchen doesn’t need to be fancy—it needs to feel familiar.

This page is a collection of the tools I actually use while cooking cozy, culturally inspired meals at home. These are the pieces that quietly support everyday cooking, seasonal routines, and moments where food becomes part of the story.

Nothing here is about perfection or having the “right” setup—just tools that make cooking feel calmer, easier, and more enjoyable.

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🍳 How I Choose My Tools

 

My kitchen philosophy extends to the tools I use.

 

I choose pieces that feel practical, flexible, and comfortable over time—tools that earn their place by being reached for often, not by looking impressive on a counter.

 

When I’m deciding what stays in my kitchen, I ask:

  • Will I use this regularly?

  • Does it make cooking simpler, not more complicated?

  • Can it work across different types of meals and cuisines?

 

If the answer is yes, it’s worth keeping.

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🔪 Everyday Kitchen Essentials

 

These are the foundation of my kitchen—the tools that handle most of my daily cooking without fuss.

  • A sharp chef’s knife

  • Kitchen scissors (surprisingly useful for everyday prep)

  • A sturdy cutting board

  • A large sauté pan or skillet

  • A medium saucepan

  • Wooden spoons and spatulas

  • Measuring cups and spoons

  • A colander or fine mesh strainer

  • Mixing bowls in a few sizes

 

They’re reliable, easy to use, and versatile enough to support everything from quick meals to slow, cozy cooking days.

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🕯️ Cozy Cooking Add-Ons

 

These tools aren’t strictly necessary—but they’re the ones that make cooking feel more intentional and relaxed.

  • Cast iron skillet for slow, comforting meals

  • Microplane or fine grater for citrus, garlic, or cheese

  • Citrus juicer

  • Kitchen thermometer (useful, not obsessive)

  • Mortar and pestle or spice grinder

  • Mandolin vegetable slicer/chopper for quick prep

 

They’re the kind of tools that encourage you to linger in the kitchen just a little longer.

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🧁 Baking Basics

 

I don’t bake every day, but when I do, these basics cover nearly everything.

  • Loaf pans or a muffin tin

  • Baking sheets

  • Parchment paper

  • Cooling rack

  • Whisk

  • Silicone spatula

 

Nothing complicated—just dependable tools that make baking feel approachable and cozy rather than intimidating.

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🔌 Small Appliances I Use (and Plan to Use)

 

These are the appliances that earn their space in my kitchen—or are on my short list because they fit how I cook.

  • Blender for occasional use

  • Electric kettle (a daily essential)

  • Electric cheese grater (especially perfect for parmesan wedges)

  • Slow cooker or Dutch oven for seasonal meals

  • Immersion blender (on my wishlist for soups and sauces)

 

This keeps it honest and forward-looking without feeling unfinished.

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🚫 What I Skip (and That’s Okay)

 

There are plenty of tools I don’t use—and that’s intentional.

  • Single-purpose gadgets

  • Trend-driven tools that only work one way

  • Anything that adds clutter or unnecessary steps

 

Not every kitchen needs everything. Choosing not to use certain tools is just as important as choosing the right ones.

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Your kitchen doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

Build it slowly. Keep what works. Let your tools reflect how you actually cook—not how you think you should. Over time, the right pieces become familiar companions, helping you turn simple ingredients into meals that feel comforting and meaningful. 

 

This list will grow and shift over time as my kitchen evolves — some tools are daily companions, others are slow additions made when they truly make sense.

Many of these tools support the ingredients I keep on hand.
🧺 Explore the Armchair Pantry

These are the tools behind the meals you’ll see each month.
🍽️ See what’s on the Monthly Table

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