{"title":"Kitchen Essentials","description":"\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(200, 68, 89);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy ultimate list of kitchen tools.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eI get asked all the time about the tools I actually use in the kitchen. These are the reliable, well-designed pieces that make cooking at home easier, faster, and a lot more fun—whether you’re a weeknight cook or a full-on food nerd.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-chefs-press","title":"The Chef's Press","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eThe Chef’s Press is a product that was developed by Bruce Hill, who’s a chef in San Francisco, and he’s been making these for many years now. I’ve been using them for at least the past ten years. They function as a weight to keep good contact between the food and the pan. The really cool thing about them is that they’re vented, so you don’t trap moisture under them the way you would with something like a bacon press. That means the food will brown more efficiently. They’re also stackable, so you can adjust the amount of weight you want on there.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI use them for everything: When I’m making a grilled cheese or a melt, I put one on top to make sure I get that really nice, even, golden-brown crust. They’re great for searing fish or chicken. A piece of fish, if you just put it in a hot pan, it’ll start to curl up. But with the Chef’s Press, you just pick it up and put it on top, and then it stays there through the whole cooking process. It makes the fish crisp up much better and cook more evenly. Just yesterday, I was searing a bunch of zucchini in the skillet, so I cut my zucchini in half, put it face-down in the skillet, and dropped a Chef’s Press on top to make sure it got that really nice crust. Basically, anytime I want something with a golden-brown, crispy crust, I reach for it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Chef's Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52827325399316,"sku":"AFF-KTU-CHEFSPRESS-PRESS","price":64.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/chef-press.jpg?v=1784751313"},{"product_id":"boos-cutting-board","title":"Boos Cutting Board","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eA heavy wood Boos board is one of those tools that gets better with age. It’s solid enough to stay put while chopping, gentle on knife edges, and large enough to give you space to work efficiently. Treat it with board oil occasionally and it’ll last decades.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52827548942612,"sku":"AFF-KTU-BOOS-CUT","price":143.31,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/boos-cutting-board.jpg?v=1784753392"},{"product_id":"braun-multiquick-immersion-blender","title":"Braun MultiQuick Immersion Blender","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eIf you want power and precision in a handheld package, this is the one. It purees soups smoothly without splashing, whips mayo in seconds, and is easier to clean than a countertop blender. The variable speed control is actually useful, not just a gimmick.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52827611791636,"sku":"AFF-APPL-BRAUN-IMMERS","price":109.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/braun-immersion-blender.jpg?v=1784753837"},{"product_id":"shibazi-chinese-cleaver","title":"Shibazi Chinese Cleaver","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eA solid, forward-balanced cleaver can take the place of half your knife set. It’s great for breaking down chickens, portioning ribs, or just smashing garlic. Don’t think of it as a novelty—it’s a precision tool that happens to hit hard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52829347315988,"sku":"AFF-KTU-SHIBAZI-CLEAV","price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/shibazi-chinese-cleaver.jpg?v=1784758605"},{"product_id":"whirly-pop-popcorn-maker","title":"Whirly Pop Popcorn Maker","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eI’m a big popcorn fan. I’ve tested every way to make popcorn, and the Whirley-Pop is the best. It gives you the best yield — you don’t waste as much, and you don’t end up with as many unpopped kernels at the bottom. It pops the fastest out of anything I’ve tested, whether that’s a microwave or an air popper or a skillet or a wok. Because it’s designed to agitate the popcorn and vent steam off at the same time, your popcorn ends up much crispier. So if you’re serious about your popcorn, serious enough that you can afford the space to keep an extra gadget just for popping popcorn, the Whirley-Pop is the best tool.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s been around for a really long time, but it’s one of those designs that was just genius when it was invented, and they haven’t really changed much about it. It still works the same way. The more inexpensive Whirley-Pop is made of aluminum. They have a fancier stainless-steel one, but I think the aluminum one actually performs better.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52829373268244,"sku":"AFF-APPL-WHIRLYPOP-POP","price":49.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/whirly-pop.jpg?v=1784758804"},{"product_id":"masienda-molcajete","title":"Masienda Molcajete","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eA molcajete is essentially a Mexican mortar and pestle made out of volcanic rock. If you’ve ever made guacamole just by chopping up an onion or chopping up a chile and mixing it with avocado, if you compare that to the flavor you get out of pounding those same ingredients in a molcajete, you release much more flavor. When you go in with a knife, you’re basically shearing the cells apart, so maybe some flavor gets released, but a lot of the cells end up staying intact. Whereas when you go in with a molcajete, it’s like Godzilla’s coming in, stomping around. Everything gets crushed, all the flavors inside get released. You get much more flavorful salsa, much more flavorful guacamole.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI use it as a spice grinder also. I do have an electric spice grinder, but I find that with the cleanup time and the setup time for a spice grinder, the molcajete is the faster way to do it — you just drop them in there, grind them for 30 seconds, and then you rinse it out and you’re done. You don’t have to worry about taking it apart or anything. It’s a great tool for kids also. I have a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old. If I have, say, a ton of ginger I want to chop up for a stir fry or a curry, I can just drop it in the molcajete and give my 4-year-old the pounder, and he’ll just sit there and pound it. It’s really fun for him, and it actually helps in the kitchen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Masienda","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52829392109844,"sku":"AFF-KTU-MASIENDA-MOLC","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/macienda-mocajete.jpg?v=1784759091"},{"product_id":"oxo-bench-scraper","title":"OXO Bench Scraper","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eA bench scraper is a tool that every home cook can benefit from. You can use it for moving stuff around your board, transferring ingredients, scraping and cleaning flour off your cutting board, or cutting dough if you’re making bread. It’s such a versatile tool, and it’s really cheap — $15. Aside from my knife, it’s the tool that is probably at my side the most frequently. I don’t cook without it, and that’s been the case for at least 15 years. It’s always sitting on my cutting board because I just use it all the time. I think a lot of people will maybe pick things up with the side of their knife, or they’ll try awkwardly to scrape things off the board with their hand. A bench scraper is the tool to use for that. It makes cooking much cleaner and more efficient, and, I think, a lot more fun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52867277160724,"sku":"AFF-KTU-OXO-BENCH","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/oxo-bench-scraper-scallions.jpg?v=1784824012"},{"product_id":"bamboo-steamer","title":"Bamboo Steamer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eA bamboo steamer turns any pot or wok into a simple, efficient cooking setup. It’s ideal for dumplings and buns, but also perfect for vegetables—broccoli, green beans, carrots—anything you want cooked through but still vibrant and crisp. It traps steam evenly without dripping condensation, keeping textures light and flavors clean.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52868620681492,"sku":"AFF-CKW-JOYCECHEN-STEAM","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/bamboo-steamer.jpg?v=1784824838"},{"product_id":"kan-steak-knives","title":"KAN Steak Knives","description":"\u003cp\u003eI have been using KAN kitchen knives for many years, and these steak knives live up to the same level of quality that I have come to expect of all KAN products. They are sharp, balanced, and beautiful. And they make a great gift! \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KAN","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52869194318100,"sku":"AFF-KTU-KAN-STEAK","price":199.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/kan-steak-knives-2.webp?v=1784825829"},{"product_id":"spider-strainer","title":"Spider Strainer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eA spider is the right tool for pulling food out of hot oil or boiling water quickly and safely. Its wide, open mesh drains fast without breaking delicate foods, and the long handle keeps your hands away from the heat. Ideal for fried chicken, tempura, noodles, or blanching vegetables—once you use it, tongs feel clumsy by comparison. A must for a serious wok cook.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52873189228820,"sku":"AFF-KTU-JOYCECHEN-SPIDER","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/joyce-chen-spider.jpg?v=1784827639"},{"product_id":"unicorn-magnum-peppermill","title":"Unicorn Magnum Peppermill","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eI’ve been using this pepper mill since 2006, so 20 years. I’ve had the exact same one in my kitchen all this time, and it works the same as the day I bought it. Compared to most pepper mills it’s inexpensive, especially for the performance that you get out of it. Of all the pepper mills out there, it has the the most rapid dispersion. If you compare the amount of pepper you get out of a grind from the Unicorn compared to a Peugeot or one of the other popular brands, it’s three or four times more. It’s just this big shower of pepper. It makes cooking much faster.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt has a completely adjustable grind size, so you can get everything from like, dust to a really coarse grind. It also has this unique side-loading mechanism where you never have to take the top off. A lot of pepper mills, you adjust the grind size with a little screw on the top. But that screw is also what holds the top of the pepper mill on. So as you’re grinding it, the top spins around, and it loosens or tightens that grinder so you don’t get a consistent grind. Whereas with the Unicorn, the grinding adjustment is on the bottom, so you’re never touching it when you’re grinding. The loading mechanism is not on the top either, so there’s no interference between loading the pepper mill, using the pepper mill, and the grind size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52873681731860,"sku":"AFF-KTU-UNICORN-PEPP","price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/unicorn-magnum-peppermill.jpg?v=1784827881"},{"product_id":"benriner-mandoline","title":"Benriner Mandoline","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eThe Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer makes short work of all of your slicing and julienning tasks. At one point in my life, I owned a fancy-pants $150 French model. And you know what? It was heavy, bulky, a pain in the butt to clean, and with its straight blade, didn't really do a great job.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Benriner Mandoline Plus, on the other hand, features a sharp, angled blade that cuts much more efficiently than the awkward straight blades or clumsy V-shaped cutters. Walk into any four-star restaurant, and I guarantee you'll find at least a couple Bennies—as they are affectionately called by line cooks—occupying a prominent place in the kitchen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52890627408148,"sku":"AFF-KTU-BENRINER-MAND","price":28.92,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/benriner-mandolin2.jpg?v=1784838344"},{"product_id":"kan-bread-knife","title":"KAN Bread Knife","description":"\u003cp\u003eI have been using KAN kitchen knives for many years because they are high quality, balanced, and very sharp. This bread knife is no exception. Featuring a 9-inch blade and a serrated edge, this knife is as functional as it is beautiful. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KAN","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52891358494996,"sku":"AFF-KTU-KAN-BREAD","price":109.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/kan-bread-knife.jpg?v=1784838883"},{"product_id":"kuhn-rikon-original-swiss-peeler","title":"Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eThese are my favorite vegetable peelers. Sharp, light, maneuverable, and easier to handle than a straight peeler. They're also brightly colored, which means they don't get lost as easily in drawers (and even if they do, the set comes with three!). I keep a couple at home, and a couple in my knife bag to take with me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52891887010068,"sku":"AFF-KTU-KUHN-PEELER","price":14.11,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/kuhn-peeler.jpg?v=1784839272"},{"product_id":"iwatani-portable-butane-stove","title":"Iwatani Portable Butane Stove","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eEvery cook should own one of these. It’s reliable, powerful, and lets you bring serious heat anywhere—picnics, camping, or tabletop hot pot nights. Flame control is better than most built-ins, and canisters last surprisingly long.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52893130227988,"sku":"AFF-APPL-IWATANI-STOVE","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/iwatani-butane-stove.jpg?v=1784839712"},{"product_id":"rimmed-baking-sheets-and-cooling-racks","title":"Rimmed Baking Sheets and Cooling Racks","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eSheet pans historically land themselves on kitchen essentials lists. I use rimmed aluminum baking sheets (in the industry, we call them \"sheet pans\"—I use half-size pans) for the vast majority of my oven tasks, whether it's baking off a tray of cookies, crisping up a tray of potatoes or broccoli, or even roasting a whole turkey or chicken. They're lightweight, inexpensive, and durable. Just be aware: You'll want to keep a separate set of pans and racks for high-temperature roasting and for baking, as the ones used for meats and vegetables tend to get a bit beat up.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52893881434388,"sku":"AFF-BKW-NORDIC-BAKESHEET","price":23.81,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/nordicwear-rimmed-baking-sheet.jpg?v=1784840343"},{"product_id":"lodge-12-inch-pre-seasoned-cast-iron-skillet","title":"Lodge 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eHeavy cast iron might take a while to preheat properly, but once it's hot, it'll sear a steak like nothing else. Pan-roasting or deep-frying chicken? Reach for the cast iron. Frying latkes or potato pancakes? You guessed it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause of its thick gauge, cast iron is also great for slow cooking or for baking, delivering crisp, golden-brown crusts on everything from golden cornbread to pan pizza.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52894505566484,"sku":"AFF-CKW-LODGE-SKILLET12","price":34.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/lodge-12in-castiron.jpg?v=1784840809"},{"product_id":"le-creuset-enameled-cast-iron-5-5-quart-round-dutch-oven","title":"Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eThis is perfect for anything that requires heavy searing followed by gentle, even cooking—slow-cooked braises like pot roast, carne adovada, or better-than-Chipotle's barbacoa. It's also handy for soups, like hearty escarole and barley. And, of course, Dutch ovens are great for chili, like the best chili ever and Texas-style chili con carne. It's a chili machine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52895015600404,"sku":"AFF-CKW-LECREUSET-DUTCH55","price":299.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/lecreuset-5.5-qt_6b1324f5-a00b-41c2-a11c-c2a02b8b1a92.jpg?v=1784841059"},{"product_id":"le-creuset-casserole-dish-with-lid","title":"Le Creuset Casserole Dish with Lid","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eSince it's intended for both cooking and serving tableside, a good baking dish should be both functional and attractive. It should be made with high-quality glazed ceramic, meaning that not only will it heat foods evenly (and, more importantly, store that heat so your food stays hot while you're trying to corral the family around the table), but it's still practically nonstick. That makes for a simple clean-up, even with gooey foods like this Summer Vegetable Lasagna.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52895499321620,"sku":"AFF-CKW-LECREUSET-CASS","price":129.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/lecreuset-casserole-dish.jpg?v=1784841481"},{"product_id":"a-square-baking-pan","title":"A Square Baking Pan","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eYou like cake, don't you? And brownies? An 8- by 8-inch square baking pan is an essential piece of bakeware, and perhaps one of the few you really need. It's a size commonly used by recipe developers and cookbook writers, so you won't find yourself on the hunt for new cookware every time you want to try a new recipe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Amazon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52895826444564,"sku":"AFF-BKW-NRDC-SQUARE","price":15.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/files\/nordicwear-cake-pan.jpg?v=1784841746"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/1628\/1620\/collections\/shop-kenjis-kitchen-essentials.webp?v=1785530669","url":"https:\/\/shop.kenjilopezalt.com\/collections\/kitchen-essentials.oembed","provider":"Kenji López-Alt","version":"1.0","type":"link"}