1) Kitchen Aid Mixer
This bad boy was a dream of mine from a young age. My mom always told me she would get me one when I got married. But low and behold she got me one last year for Christmas. It's seriously the power drill of the kitchen. I also have the meat grinder attachment which has been a life saver!
2) Mason jars
I use mason jars for many different tasks. Not only do I preserve fruits, beans, sauces, you name it in it in the pressure canner, but I also freeze in them which is awesome for stocks and soups. They save money on plastic freezer bags and are much more sturdy than plastic tupperware containers. They are also live savers when you purchase stuff in bulk and just want to keep a smaller amount in your cabinets. I typically get mine from the dollar store.
3) Crock pot
I don't know what I would do without one. As a working college student, planed ahead and fix it and leave it dishes are a God send. So being able so stick a roast in there or some soup fixin's in the morning, and coming home to dinner ready really makes my days go smoother. I have Hamilton Beach Stow and Go crock which locks the lid down for traveling. It's great for just that, but this one is on my wedding registry because I'm in need of a larger one.
4) Good Quality Knives
This is actually on my wish list. When preparing real nourishing foods, you will find yourself chopping and dicing a lot of different ingredients. Sharp, high quality knives are vital to a working kitchen. I have a few that actually came from Sam's Club that have held a decent blade and are a nice weight, but these are some that I have been eyeballing!
5) Cast Iron
When I think of cast iron, I get all warm and fuzzy. I seriously cherish my collection and if you even mention putting them in the dishwasher, or get near them with soap, I will probably come at you and knock you across the head with one of my skillets......Harsh, I know, but I love them dearly. Heat retention is amazing in cast iron as well as the transferability to the stove top to oven. To me, food prepared in it tastes better. You also don't have to worry about nasty chemicals leaching into your food unlike when you cook with teflon. Also, iron. Traces of iron is added into the food which is a very important mineral, especially for women. Most people do not get enough iron. Cleaning is easy, just scrub them out and let them dry. Occasionally grease and salt them and you will have cookware that will out live you. Check out garage sales or your grandparents. Many people discard cast iron that is "rusted," but this can be fixed.
I recommend having at least a 14in skillet and a 5-7 quart dutch oven which is perfect for soups.
So there it is. I've made Christmas shopping easier on ya'll!
