The most useful kitchen gadget?

RedCola

I was given an Amazon gift card for Christmas & I really would like to spend it on a kitchen appliance, only thing is I cant decide!

I've looked at Halogen Ovens, Air fryers, multi Cookers, Soup makers and Griddles.

I have a slow cooker, a food processor & a blender. Though I don't use them much( slow cooker has been used 3 times since I won it a over a year ago.

I really would like something that will help me out, as I am always exhausted by the end of the day (am recovering from PND) & I have been plating sandwiches / fresh soups (ready made from supermarket) & general junk food up for the children in the evening. My husband has to cook his own food when he gets in if he's from a night shift (between 12am / 1.30am some nights) Which makes me feel awful too.

Anyway, I know that seems a ramble. The point is I need to start cooking and I would like something to make this quicker / easier / less effort for me.

Any suggestions?

krlyr

I would look into a pressure cooker, maybe? Haven't used one myself but know they're meant to be good, and seem to be rated over slowcookers on this thread by most
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3506471

BrassicWoman

I think a blender, food processor and a slow cooker would cover it for me...! Why are you not using them? Maybe understanding that would help us make suggestions? A good slow cooker recipe book might help - I tend to lob things in from the freezer and cupboards and they turn into dinner slowly... it'd also be a hot meal for hubs when he gets in?

I have a fatigue condition and one thing I really struggle with is kneading bread. So a breadmaker makes a huge difference to me (when I am eating bread!) and is very tasty.

Prinzessilein

A gadget is only going to be 'useful' if you re going to use it!


So - think about the food you (and the family) enjoy, and decide which gadgets will help making these dishes easier.


Personally, I wouldn't be without my slowcooker. I use it to make soups, stews, curries and to slow cook cheap cuts of meat....Maybe you could get a book of recipe ideas for a slowcooker (Perhaps in the first instance from the library rather than using your voucher!) to help you make better use of it?...I'm thinking that you could spend 10 minutes prep in the morning and have a hot tasty dinner cooked when your husband gets in - however late he is!


I also love my breadmaker. Would this be something you would use? (Basic models are so simple to use....and fresh bread is very tempting!...and I do 'speciality' loaves as gifts)


Does your family eat a lot of joghurt? You could get a joghurt maker - not much work/effort and you can add fruit to it when made - and maybe save money on bought ones.


On a personal level I couldn't cope without my electric tin-opener....but then I have severe dyspraxia and can't manage a manual one!


And....one final thing to consider....you have a few useful gadgets in the kitchen...and an Amazon voucher to spare...and you are recovering from PND.....why not use the voucher (or some of it at least!) to pamper yourself....PND can be a right b*tch!....you deserve something to give yourself a lift...I would be looking for something special just for you!

windup

a pan (or two), a knife, a tin opener, a peeler. a spoon, a roasting tin or pyrex dish covers 99% of all cooking, gadgets just fill up the gadget cupboard and take more time to clean than they save

Fruball

My act!fry is my favourite kitchen gadget. I do whole breakfasts in it, roast potatoes (so easy and good you can have them every night!), chips (obviously) sausages, chicken wings...

I cook potatoes with low fat sausages, bacon until just about done, leave overnight and then put on in the morning for 6 minutes for an easy cooked breakfast!

I wouldn't be without it now.

System

I would never be without my soup maker- any random veg turned into a cheap meal.

meer53

If you don't use the gadgets you already have, another one will be a waste of money. My slow cooker is the one thing i couldn't be without, i don't use any other gadgets. For soup i use a saucepan and a stick blender, for anything else, i use my non stick wok.

I'd buy a good basic cookbook and lots of freezer containers. Then get to know your slow cooker.

wifeforlife

My must have gadgets for an easy life, is a really good set of chef's knives, a super duper peeler and an awesome potato masher, although these are all the jobs I hate doing, seems so tedious when I want to cook to have to prepare things!

Other than that I'll plod along with any old thing - as long as it's sharp

Islandmaid

I,d second a decent set of knives, we have bought a set of very high quality knives bit by bit over the last year - they are a joy to work with.

suicidebob

The wife.

The wife.