Kitchen & Dining

What makes up a well-stocked kitchen? I’d have to say it depends the person cooking in it. Although we all have our favourite must-use kitchen gadgets, some people like to use kitchen tools every day that other people may never have heard of. But out of the plethora of cool kitchen gadgets available, there are a few gadgets I think we can all universally agree are absolutely essential to a happy, well-run kitchen.

One of the most challenging things about Holiday shopping is how one gift does not fit all, but if you have a chef on your list this year, you’re in luck. There are tons of great gifts for the budding chef, enthusiastic foodie, or someone you know who takes cooking to a new art form.  

Adding a few exceptional knives and pans to your kitchen can make all the difference in your kitchen. Using guidelines from my chef friend,  I checked out the ZWILLING JA Henckels Professional “S” collection and the new frying pan. I was impressed with their quality and performance.  

Every family or group of friends has that one person who loves to host parties, and there are lots of great gifts for the hostess you can get for under $50 to help them bake, cook, serve, mix, and entertain guests.

As a part of their appliance expansion, Best Buy is now offering a selection of Bosch dishwashers! 

I had fun using the OXO Spiralizer, OXO Mandolin, and the OXO Smart Seal 8 piece glass storage set. Take a look at my review for my thoughts on OXO.

Cooking at home is something everyone should try, and there are so many benefits to home cooking that you've probably never thought of.

I’m a big fan of herbs, especially basil. I grew up in a Persian household and herbs were always served with dinner. Wrapping feta cheese and fresh mint, dill, parsley or basil in warm Persian bread is especially delicious. I could live off that meal and never get tired of it. But I could never figure out how to get my herbs to last for a long time. I turned to Pinterest for a solution, and discovered the Prepara Herb Savor. I then noticed that Best Buy carried it, and asked them to send me a sample of this kitchen gadget to review.      

Cast iron cookware has been around for centuries. Long before the electric stove was invented in the early 1900s, most meals were prepared using cast iron skillets, pots and griddles, and an open flame. A lot has changed since then, but the appeal of cast iron remains the same. Said to be the best cookware ever invented, the key to its longevity lies in its care. Follow these simple rules and your cast iron cookware will last for generations to come.

Eating healthy is always easier said than done, but investing in some of these kitchen gadgets will save you time and energy!