Kitchen items I love
OXO pop up containers
Today I thought I’d share some of the items that make my cooking and food prep easier and in some cases save money and time too.
Tofu press - Most vegetarians and vegans eat tofu on a regular basis. One of the things that hindered me from cooking tofu, in the beginning, was the texture of tofu. I learned if you press the water out of the tofu the texture changes and after using that tip I was a tofu fan.
Originally I was pressing my tofu with paper towels and sitting a plate or pot on top of it, but that took too long and was a waste of paper towels. My life changed when I discovered the tofu press. They have various types but with mine, It’s a simple process to put it together and press the tofu. Once the tofu’s in the press I put it in the refrigerator and let it press while I do whatever I need to do. If I need to use the tofu right away I give it 5 minutes and it’s good to go.
Ninja Blender- I drink a ton more smoothies now that I’m a vegetarian. I started out with a regular blender and found it seriously lacking. It wasn’t giving me the texture I wanted. Then I found the Ninja, not only do my smoothies come out with a great consistency (just hit the smoothie button) but it’s great for making an individual smoothie because it came with cups you can use directly on it and a travel lid so you can carry it with you. The Ninja can also be used as a food processor which comes in quite handy for things like hummus, chickpea salad, vegan ricotta, etc.
OXO Pop food storage containers - These airtight containers keep your food fresher, longer and provide easy-to-see organization in the pantry. Rice, beans, cereal, brown sugar, etc. I no longer have to worry about items going bad before I eat them. I also can clearly see the items I have in my pantry and if I need to replenish anything.
Mini/mesh strainer - Lentils are tiny and delicious, originally I was using a normal strainer and then just holding a plate to the pot. I wasted so many lentils this way. Now no more waste everything stays in the mini strainer.
Vegetable peeler- I used to watch my grandma peel potatoes and apples when I was younger with a kitchen knife. As I started to cook on my own I did the same and quickly found that it was not as easy as she made it look. So I completely stopped peeling apples and only made potatoes sparingly. Low and behold my discovery of the vegetable peeler changed my world, way quicker to peel and less dangerous.
Glass food storage containers- I hated the way plastic containers would stain when I put red pasta sauce in them or I’d put them in the dishwasher and they’d warp over time so the lids didn’t quite fit anymore. I’d wind up replacing plastic containers at least twice a year. I also had concerns about the chemicals in plastics and if they would get in your food when you put the container in the microwave. The solution glass containers; last a long time and fewer chemical worries.
