Episode 34: Kitchen Essentials
What You’ll Learn
Kitchen Essentials (00:40)
Kitchen Essential Priorities (01:46)
Brittany’s Kitchen Essentials (03:45)
Tiffany’s Kitchen Essentials (12:40)
One Final Essential & Tips for Purchasing (19:29)
Recap (20:49)
Invitation (21:01)
Would you consider your kitchen “Well stocked”? Have you put thought into your kitchen tools, making sure they work for you and your family? Today, Brittany & I talk about our 5 must-have kitchen essentials, and WHY we love them! When you’re done listening, come follow Brittany on Instagram @thedeliberateday and tag her in a photo of YOUR favorite kitchen necessity!
kitchen Essentials (00:40)
Brittany grew up with a mom who was a caterer-and therefore had an extremely well-stocked kitchen. She learned very quickly after moving out, though, that kitchens don’t just come that way. So, over the years, based on her family’s needs and priorities, Brittany began to stock her kitchen with the tools she needed.
My own journey towards a well-stocked kitchen was a bit different. I didn’t realize how ill-equipped my kitchen was until I started cooking at Brittany’s. Nowadays, I also have the tools I need.
Kitchen Essential Priorities (01:46)
Everyone’s kitchens will look different, because we all live very different lives! In the last few weeks, we’ve talked about your ‘Why’, your time, and your money—and all these will play into what you keep in your kitchen—the important thing is to make sure you are actively choose what you keep in your kitchen (and it isn’t being chosen for you, or by accident).
When we first get married, we receive gifts and hand-me-downs. . .as we get older, we succumb to the adorable utensils on the end cap at Target. We need to regularly sift through these items and decide if they are still serving us. Two things to look at are, what tools do you really need in your kitchen, and are they really serving you (and your cooking style)?
Brittany’s Kitchen essentials (03:45)
Presto Tilt’n Drain Big Griddle (link-as promised) It’s giant, Brittany uses it for meatballs, pancakes, eggs, bacon, and even hamburgers! It has a nice, big drain on it, which is REALLY nice!
Food Saver Brittany received hers as a hand-me-down from her mom, and she uses it for everything! Many times she will double cook and use this tool to pack and freeze a “Back-up Meal.” This is also a wonderful way to marinate meats (this will save fridge space). Actually, you can marinate meat in the food saver and put it in the freezer for a later time! Bags can be purchased by the roll of 100 or 50 feet (this can save both money and time).
Giant Baking Tray (link-as promised) This tray will fill your entire oven (although, be careful to make sure your oven is big enough to fit this). Once you start using this tray, you won’t go back! Cookies, sheet pan meals, and veggie bake are ALL so much easier with this tray. Pro-tip. . .use parchment paper on your sheet pans (life changing)!
Dutch Oven In a fire, after the kids and pets were safe, Brittany would go back for her dutch oven next. She uses it ALL the time! In her very informed opinion, when compared to the crock-pot and instant-pot, the flavor you can achieve in a dutch oven wins every time!
Good Utensils These save time, sanity, money. . .ALL the things! A good spoon, a good ladle, TONGS (Brittany legit has a full drawer), and good knives (this Paring Knife is my favorite).
Tiffany’s Kitchen Essentials (12:40)
Crock-Pot As we recorded this episode, my crock-pot was on my counter, cooking a delicious dinner FOR my family! In the past, when I’ve ordered 1/2 a cow, if there was a cut of meat I didn’t know what to do with, I’d throw it in the crock-pot and hope for the best!
Bamboo Cutting Board I use this every day!
Good Knives Excellent cutting utensils will bring men into the kitchen! I bought mine at Walmart. We’ve only sacrificed a small portion of a thumb once, and it grew back, so it’s all good!
Giant Baking Tray I have three of these (although only two fit in an oven). My favorite is the first one I bought at Target (linked). If you know a big family and you want to give them a GREAT gift, give them one of these!
Giant Stainless Steel Bowls I have 5 of these and use them constantly! We mix in them, we use them for popcorn, saving food scraps to toss in our woods, and when kids are sick (don’t worry-we wash them REALLY well)!
One Final Essential & Tips for Purchasing (19:29)
Brittany’s final essential is her KitchenAid! It’s about 25 years-old (or more) and she uses it multiple times a week!
If you’re looking for a place to stock your kitchen, try a restaurant supply store! This can be more economical than Target or Williams & Sonoma. Usually the tools they offer are great quality and affordable.
Recap (20:49)
Everyone’s kitchen necessities are different.
Make sure you know why you have what you have.
Only keep items that are serving you!
Invitation (21:01)
Do you have a kitchen essential we didn’t mention? Go to Instagram, follow @thedeliberateday, and tag us in a photo of YOUR favorite kitchen necessity!
If you don’t have your meal planning template yet, send Brittany a DM with the word “meals” and she’ll give you a link to get the beautiful “Meal Planning Made Easy” kit she’s created (Image featured below)!
Finally, make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and give us a rating if you haven’t yet!
