My Favourite Kitchen Tools

The Instant Pot (and other electric pressure cookers) is an indispensable tool in the kitchen. Cook a pot of dried beans in under an hour! Make pasta sauce with all-day flavour in 30 minutes. Sauté right in the pot! It really is a magical appliance.

I use silicon spatulas every day, for every thing. Whether it's scrambling eggs or sautéing onions, using a durable, heat-proof spatula. I have a set of three and use mostly one size, but the others definitely come in handy from time to time.

I love, love, love my Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I use it for making muffins, cookies, cakes, breads, and more. I've also got the pasta rollers and the ice cream maker attachment and highly recommend them both.

Not only is cast iron safer than non-stick pans, did you know that cooking with cast iron can actually increase the amount of iron in your diet? From gigantic skillet cookies to pancakes to burgers, this versatile pan has a spot in my permanent kitchen tools collection.

I finally got a Vitamix a couple of years ago after coveting one for nearly a decade, and I must say it really is worth the hype. This is a big ticket item to be sure, but if you're making smoothies regularly, like to make your own nut butter, grind seeds or grains, or make a lot of sauces, this is worth the investment.

I have several pieces of Le Creuset enamelware, and I really love them all. Different sizes are great for different things, but my most used is this robust 7.25 quart Dutch Oven. I love that these can go from stove top to oven, so they're perfect for all kinds of recipes.

If you don't already have a microplane, I really must insist you get one. And don't go off brand - you just can't beat an official Microplane brand microplane. I use mine for finely grated Parmesan, chocolate, ginger, garlic, lemon zest, etc. It zests, grates, and shreds like a boss. Your fingers have been warned.

I got an Air Fryer last year and have been having a lot of fun playing around with it. It's great as a small extra oven, or when you don't feel like turning your big oven on. It does an amazing job on roasted vegetables and the like, and really does make delicious, crispy food.

Can I tell you a secret? I never, ever chop garlic. Nope, garlic press all the way! I like a robust, strong-handled garlic press that easily crushes several cloves at once, and this one is really great.

You have to have a good vegetable peeler. You just have to. It makes life so much easier in the kitchen, and who has time to fight with a crappy peeler? Not me!