Maximizing Small Spaces: My Tried and True Kitchen Gadgets for Fast and Balanced Meals!
using some of my favorite products for a delectable tomato, basil, mozz salad!
As a parent striving to provide my kids with nourishing meals multiple times a day, I understand the value of efficiency in the kitchen. In my quest for simplicity, I've embraced a minimalist approach, focusing on essential tools that not only save time but also make the most of our limited kitchen space. With a small kitchen at my disposal, I've curated a collection of kitchen gadgets that have become my go-to companions in preparing balanced meals quickly and effectively.
Today, I'm excited to share my tried and true recommendations, featuring only the items I absolutely swear by. Let's dive into the world of small-space cooking and discover the essential tools that have transformed my kitchen routine, making wholesome and delicious meals a breeze! Please note that the links are Amazon Affiliate links and I receive a commission for you purchasing from these links, so thank you for supporting my small business!
Ok, first and foremost, let’s talk about my air fryer. I have the Cuisinart Toaster Oven/Air Fryer and I use this thing literally EVERY DAY for almost all foods. Honestly, I don’t know what I was doing without it. If you don’t have an air fryer, you need this. I promise you will use it constantly and this puppy saves SO much time, it doesn’t heat up your kitchen the way the oven does, and it crisps things up perfectly. When on air fryer mode, I do recommend going 25-50 degrees lower than stated on the package - it tends to get things extra crispy very fast otherwise. While this does take up a bit of space, it is WELL worth the counter top real estate!
Next up, we have a high-power blender. I don’t use this guy ALL the time, but when I do, I’m so grateful I have it. I use it for smoothies (the kinds with kale that you don’t have to chew!), sauces (I love making a cashew cream sauce for pasta or bean/cashew dips), and smoother than smooth soups! I got this puppy from my cousins for our wedding 7 years ago, and it still works as good as new. It’s a pricier item, but trust me when I say, this is WORTH IT.
Alright, coming in hot at number three is a GOOD chef’s knife. I have a few of this Japanese brand and love them so much. It’s crucial to learn how to use these properly. Whenever I have to cook in someone else’s kitchen and there aren’t good knives like this, I wish I had a good carrying case for my knives. It makes chopping, cutting, prepping SO much easier. The perfect pairing to the chef’s knife is the paring knife. That’s really all you need for pretty fruits and veggies!
You can’t have a nice chef’s knife with nothing to use it on! These Epicurean cutting boards are hands down my favorite cutting boards. They’re wooden, which is great, AND you can throw them in the dishwasher! I’ve had mine for almost a decade and they are still perfect — no weird smells, no warping, no deep cuts. They are thin and stack away easily.
My trusty non-stick pan is my go-to for everything that gets cooked on the stove top. Everything. It cleans up SO easily, it’s nice and big, and it has an included lid. I use this guy every day and I’ve had it now for several years - it works good as new every time and I trust the Green Pan brand to be safe! Just don’t put this guy in the dishwasher — hand wash only.
When I asked for an Immersion Blender for Christmas, my Mother-in-Law delivered! I use this thing more than I could’ve imagined. I love using the mini-food processor for sauces like pesto or chimichurri. The stick blender gets used often for sauces and dressings (if you’re not blending your homemade dressings, you’re missing out!).
That’s all for now! I hope you’ve found something that you could use in your small space kitchen, as well! I promise you, you can’t go wrong with these picks. You really don’t need much else! And thank you, again, for using my links.
Stay tuned for my favorite kitchen gear for toddlers!