My Favorite Kitchen Accessories

Accessories make everything better - and the kitchen is no different. So often I share pictures of my final products and the steps it took to get there., however, I rarely go into detail about the tools I use to get there. I thought it might be useful to show you my favorite kitchen tools and appliances for every budget- the ones that have made my cooking life quicker and easier. You do not need to have a fully stocked and modern kitchen - on a medical student budget, I sure do not- but there are some things that can maximize the utility of even the most modest kitchen!

Check out my favorite kitchen accessories below organized from least to most expensive.

1. Mandoline
   A Mandoline is a quick and easy way to make thin slices of fruits and veggies. I love it for potatoes (say for latkes), Radishes, apples, etc. The possibilities are truly endless- and if you are not a whiz with a knife set this saves so much time and energy. I will warn you the blade is sharp - so use the tool to slide the food and stay focused on what you’re doing!
   Where to buy?
   Target: OXO Handheld Mandoline

   Amazon: Art and Cook Handheld V-Blade Mandoline (Pictured)
   Price: $14.99
   

2. Kale & Herb Razor
   Have you ever spent an ordinate amount of time separating leaves and stems? Whether its kale or thyme, plucking leaves off each stem prior to cooking can be exhausting, tedious, and ruin the fun of preparing a homemade meal. A simple piece of metal can change all of that- save you time and energy - and hopefully keep cooking fun and stress free.

   Uncommon Goods: Kale & Herb Razor
   Price: $15.00
   

3. Air Popper- Popcorn Maker
   I love a healthy snack- one that I don’t have to plan or think too much about - Popcorn has always been that for me. Popcorn with a drizzle of avocado oil and salt is my guilty pleasure and go-to snack on girl’s night in. You can jazz it up with Parmesan and garlic, or add some heat with a little paprika - either way air popping is a cost effective way to keep you calorie count down on snacks.
   Target: Dash 16 Cup Electric Popcorn Maker
   Price: $19.99
   

4. Mortar & Pestle
   This perhaps is not the most necessary accoutrement in my kitchen, but I love it! It is an easy way to blend herbs and spices into a smooth paste while getting in a good arm workout! I love picking fresh herbs adding some olive oil creating a paste and adding it to my favorite pasta, couscous, or quinoa - this method truly brings out the natural flavors and oils in the herbs. You can also use the mortar and pestle to grind up spices, such as black peppercorns, or nuts which always adds a bit of fun.
   Williams & Sonoma: Chef’n Mortar & Pestle
   Price: $30-40
   

5. Blender
   A good blender is the key to a lot of quick and easy cooking. I love a quick homemade smoothie, but am a little particular about chunks/texture in my food- so a powerful blender is necessary. Sauces, pastas, and even soups can all depend on the blender. The one I got years ago is a Ninja and it has served me well for years- I highly recommend for anyone with very specific texture preferences, like myself!
   QVC: Ninja Storm Designer Series
   Price: $32.98
   

6. KitchenAid Stand Mixer & Accessories
   This is something that I dreamed of having one day in my very own kitchen, and after receiving it as a gift I can say my cooking life has been forever changed. I love the ease of using it almost as much as the aesthetic it brings to the kitchen counter top- it is equal parts decor and utility. Perhaps the best part about the mixer is all the accessories that you can get to match your cooking style. As someone who loves homemade Italian cooking and fresh pasta- the pasta making attachments have shaved hours off my Sunday Fresh Pasta. It is a classic kitchen accessory that is truly worth every penny.
   KitchenAid: Professional HD Series 5 QT Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
   Price: $319.99

   KitchenAid: 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set
   Price: $199.99

   ***TIP: Shop around for the KitchenAid and attachments- they do go on sale! It is worth it to look around holiday season or yearly sales at different stores to find the best price. I looked for over a year before I received mine; some of the stores I check regularly for attachments (and the stand too) are Target, Williams-Sonoma, QVC.***