Kitchen Gadgets: Labor Saving Kitchen Utensils a Must Have for The Busy Chef or Cook!

Gadgets can be great fun, but not always great at the job they're supposed to do.

I've looked into a few gadgets I myself use religiously when I cook. I admit some are a little tricky at first, but once you are familiar the job in hand is easily done. I've added a few at the bottom I have yet to demonstrate, but found intriguing.

Are you the chef in the house? It may be time to add a few desirable instruments to your pots and pans. The thought of preparing food before we even cook it, can be a major put off. Buying prepared foods is costly, so it may be time to invest wisely and fill your presses with a few handy kitchen gadgets to cut down on the time you spend in the kitchen.

Love garlic...

Garlic is my pet hate to prepare, crush, dice, slice, mash, whatever... It's also the smell of the garlic left on my fingers tips that I don't much care for. I have the solution; one that works a treat: a garlic crusher.

Garlic butter with mushrooms, or steak. Garlic bread. Garlic prawns. Garlic in soups, stews and stir fry's. Garlic sauces and chutneys not to mention hummus and pesto. Roasted garlic with potatoes, tomatoes or a joint of meat. I love garlic... but now, I love my garlic crusher more.

Love onions...

Where would we be without onions? Tasty white onions and sweet red onions. Chopped in salsa, soups, sauces, stuffing's, tarts, pastries, burgers, meat balls, potato salad, coleslaw, dips and marinades; must I go on... Where would I be without my onion slicer? Crying into my onions no doubt.

Love vegetables...

I won't admit to being a huge lover of vegetables, however I do enjoy them in a soup, stew, casserole or roasted with garlic. As long as I don't spend hours chopping I will try anything... With my veggie chopper that's exactly what I can do; try anything.

I do like corn on the cob. BBQ corn on the cob or griddled corn on the cob is really tasty and good for you. A big blob of garlic butter and I'm thrilled, delicious. Using corn holders for this tasty finger food means easy to eat, no mess corn on the cob. Perfect.

I do have another favorite vegetable dish; thinly sliced potatoes layered liberally with diced onion and crushed garlic in a deep bottom oven dish, drizzle with olive oil and top with knobs of butter. Season well and place in the oven on a medium setting for about 30 minutes (until soft in the middle, but crisp on the top. My mandoline slicer comes in very handy with this dish. The mandoline is a real handy gadget for slicing vegetables thinly.

Love citrus...

How often do you add orange, lime or lemon zest to a dressing, salad, dip, sauce, soup, marinade, souffle or cocktail. Whether it's a starter, a main contender or your just desserts, zest is always at the helm. A winter warmer or a summer cooler from mulled wine to lemon sorbet, zest is best and a zest-er is even better.

Apple lover...

Apple sauce with pork. Apple pie or crumple. Sticky toffee apples. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, peel, core and chop. In that particular order using an apple peeler will get the job done so much more easier.

Cherry lover...

Popping cherries is a must when making cherry pie, gorgeous cherry cheesecake, sweet cherry jam or a scrummy cherry sauce. It's a delight to pop a cherry with a cherry pitter. This gadget is really cool and great fun to use.

Slow cooking is one of the easiest ways to cook. One of the great things about slow cooking is everything can go in one pot; like a stew or casserole. Another great thing of course is you don't have to stay in the kitchen and supervise the cooking. You can do something else...

Get Probing:

I hate to admit it, but I am a CERIAL meat cutter. When cooking meat in the pan, grill or oven, I have to cut, why? to see if the meat is through cooked of course!

To be honest I know perfectly well, that, the worst thing you can do to a prospective succulent piece of meat is cut it before it's cooked. When you cut through the meat all the juices that keep the meat juicy and tender leak into and stay in the pan. The chewy bit of meat that's left is your average rubbery meat.

How to solve the problem? The middle of your meat reaches the perfect temperature when perfectly cooked. All you have to do, is get inside with a kitchen probe thermometer. The temperature reading will show if the meat is cooked through or not. Say goodbye to tough meats and more importantly undercooked meats.

Stop Stirring:

I have wiped my kitchen surfaces more times than I care to know. Mostly it's when I make a soup, casserole or stew. Oh! the spoon...where it lies...and where to put it... on my spoon rest of course. No more mess for me.

Pastry in Line:

Why is it when you try to cut your pastry with a plain old knife from your cutlery drawer, it only sort of works? I'm bewildered! Oh! for an easy life and a pastry cutter.

Cakes or Us:

I'm all for different shapes and sizes, it adds balance to the world. From a posh scone to a kids cookie. Now I've got all the perfect sizes... and the perfect cutter.

Pizza Base or Pastry Case:

Roll out your pizza base or your pastry case with ease using this retro slim french rolling pin.

Weigh it Up:

The right amount or measurement is often crucial in cooking and baking. Invest in a good quality kitchen scales and prevent those mishaps before the even happen.

Griddle with Ease:

I must admit I use my panini griddler all the time. It makes the best panini and toasted sandwiches ever. Saturday mornings would never be the same without my beloved panini maker.

The gadgets to the right are new on my list of must have kitchen utensils.

The particular gadget for cooking eggs in the microwave is definitely on my Christmas list. Eggcellent!

As for the other handy gadgets trial and error will soon tell. Although a tea maker sounds like my kinda gadget. I wonder does it deliver tea in bed? Now that's a must have gadget surely!

A cake maker sounds like my kinda gadget.

I like the idea of fun fridge magnets. It's a great way of sending out those messages that your too polite to say in person.

Lastly: A breakfast tray. There is a big hint behind this gadget if any one who knows me is reading this. Breakfast in bed please...

Why not put your culinary skills and fancy gadgets to good use and whip up a Sunday lunch for all the family to enjoy. A Sunday roast with all the trimmings... a perfect way to end the week.