My Top 10 Tools for Healthy Cooking

Ingredients

• Large, rimmed baking sheets (half-sheet pans)
• Unbleached parchment paper
• Silicone baking mat sheet
• Good chef's knife
• Good cutting board (wood or thick plastic)
• Longer serrated knife for bread
• Shorter serrated knife for tomatoes
• Paring knives
• Ceramic knives
• Measuring spoons that can reach into spice jars (long and skinny)
• 11-cup Cuisinart food processor
• Vitamix 5200 blender
• Vitamix A3500 blender
• Liquid measuring cups (nesting Pyrex)
• 2-ounce jigger (OXO)
• Handheld citrus juicer (Chef'n)
• 2-ounce jigger (OXO)
• Good garlic press
• Napa Valley Naturals Grand Reserve Balsamic Vinegar (with 25 stars on the label)
• Flaky sea salt (Maldon)

Instructions

1. Invest in quality kitchen tools that will last.
2. The right tools make cooking quicker, easier, safer, and more fun.
3. Use large, rimmed baking sheets for roasting vegetables and baking cookies. They provide enough space for vegetables to breathe and caramelize, preventing them from becoming soggy.
4. Always use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on your baking sheets to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
5. A good chef's knife is essential. Consider taking a knife skills class to improve prep time and safety.
6. Wash good knives by hand in soapy water. Never put them in the dishwasher.
7. Get your steel knives professionally sharpened once a year.
8. Use a good cutting board that absorbs the impact of the blade. Wood or thick plastic are recommended.
9. To prevent a cutting board from slipping, dampen a tea towel and place it underneath.
10. Consider having additional knives like a serrated knife for bread, a shorter serrated knife for tomatoes, and paring knives for small tasks.
11. Use long and skinny measuring spoons that can easily reach into spice jars.
12. A 11-cup food processor is versatile for making pesto, dressings, almond butter, and more. Avoid going too large to maintain efficiency for smaller tasks.
13. A good blender, like a Vitamix, is useful for smoothies, soups, and sauces. Consider the container size and liquid requirements.
14. Use liquid measuring cups for accurate measurement of liquids. Pyrex nesting cups are durable and can also be used as mixing vessels.
15. A 2-ounce jigger is handy for measuring small quantities of liquid, like tablespoons.
16. A handheld citrus juicer makes squeezing lemons and limes easy. Squeeze juice directly into a jigger or measuring cup.
17. A garlic press is a time-saving tool for mincing garlic, preferable to store-bought minced garlic.
18. Use a good quality balsamic vinegar with rich flavor, such as Napa Valley Naturals Grand Reserve.
19. Use flaky sea salt as a finishing salt to add an extra layer of flavor and texture to dishes before serving.