Getting fancy in the kitchen is all the better when you have the right gadgets to do it. It may be a matter of saving the pennies to buy some of the pricier items, or adding them to birthday wish lists. But once you’ve amassed the right tools, there’ll be nothing in the way between you and that perfect curry or cheesecake.
Or it could be all about embarking upon the fun journey of getting creative in how you gather your go-to kitchen gadgets. You’ll be surprised what kitchen goodies you can pick up in your local op shop, and you’ll enjoy the added triumph of getting a bargain and keeping perfectly useable kitchen tool in circulation.
Plus... if there is one thing lockdown taught us it’s that when we have the time, most of us love to cook!
So we thought of all the cool gadgets that make our life in the kitchen easier and created our list of 8 Kiwi kitchen must-have gadgets and share 8 amazing recipes you’ll be able to finesse with these fab tools.
1. An electric frying pan
These are a great find in op shops thanks to their popularity in the ’70s and ’80s. An electric frying pan is the bench top best friend and ensures an even heating surface and make food (nearly) impossible to burn. Our Spicy BBQ Pulled Jackfruit recipe is perfect cooked in an electric frying pan… as is every curry, pasta or Thai dish. And that’s a promise!
2. A blender or a stick blender
This is just the gadget you need to blend the perfect winter soup, like our Delicious Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup. It’s hand held so easy to use without having to fuss around moving the soup from the pot and back again. Then you can keep it on a simmer to let the flavours meld in until you’re ready to eat it.
3. A slow cooker
A slow cooker is a winter must in every household, especially in flats or for families. You can set and forget at the beginning of the day and come home to a divine smelling home and delicious, cooked meal that will feed the masses. This Slow Cooked Vegetable Quinoa Curry created by Leonie from The Style Insider is a definite family fave and worthy of your slow cooker.
4. A waffle maker
A waffle maker may seem like an indulgence, but there are so many waffle recipes around and they are so easy to make, so it’s a no brainer. These divine Lemon Blueberry Waffles created by chef Niki from Sweet Foodie Life are what great weekends are made of! PLUS they’re vegan, gluten-free-, dairy-free, refined sugar free but fun-filled!
5. A muffin tray
If you think muffin trays are just for making muffins, think again! They’re ideal for frittatas, mini-quiches and for mini-cheesecakes, like these bonkers delicious Mini Passionfruit Cheesecakes created by our fave Melbourne blogger Suba Chelva of Subz Foodie. And yes, we have been checking in with her through lockdown to see she is doing OK and can confirm that she is.
6. A milk frother
Whether you have a stove top espresso, an at home espresso machine, or love your coffees instant, a milk frother will elevate your morning coffee to whole new levels on those days when you can’t get out to support your local café. While we can’t guarantee you’ll make stand-out coffees like one of our fave barista’s Arapera from The Remedy Espresso Bar at Raumati Beach, who made this this one, you’ll definitely be one step closer!
7. A bullet blender
Smoothies are one of life’s musts and with our cache of smoothie recipes if you don’t have a bullet blender yet, one of these gorgeous recipes will surely convince you. They’re fast to make and enjoy on the go, on busy mornings or pre-or post your workout, and are packed with nutrients, and natural water and fibre from fruit and vegetables – ideal for gut and brain health. With spring around the corner, now’s the perfect time to get your summer of recipes sorted.
8. A lemon squeezer
You’ll never regret having a hand held lemon squeezer and wonder how you ever lived without one. It fits easily into the big cutlery drawer and promises no more pips. And then you’ll be able to indulge in winter new season lemons and make our Zingy Vegan Lemon Curd Cake.
From our love of Almond Breeze almond milk to yours…
P.S….
Discover more almondlicious recipes by clicking here!