Tools for a Plant-Centered Kitchen

Oct 27

If I were to invest in one kitchen tool to help ease my way into plant-centered eating, it wouldn’t be the appliance you might expect. It’s not an instant pot or a fancy air fryer.

My Three Favorite Kitchen Appliances -

RICE COOKER. This is essential for prepping most whole grains. About a decade ago, a girlfriend (thank you Sarah S.) recommended a Japanese Zojirushi. I love this little gem. It cooks everything from black rice to farro to wheat berries. It keeps the grains warm and fluffy (without letting them dry out) for up to 12 hours, so you can put on your rice in the morning and it will be hot and ready for dinner when you get home. It even sings a fancy little ditty to brighten your day. I LOVE my Zojirushi. If I had to invest in one appliance for plant-based cooking, this would be it.

FOOD PROCESSOR. I regularly use my food processor for making falafels, plant-based burger patties, hummus, and chunky sauces, like pesto. What I use it for most often, though, is quickly chopping veggies to have on hand in the fridge. It cuts my veg prep time in half. Look for a food processor with a variety of blades, including a slicing and a grating blade.

HIGH-SPEED BLENDER. I have a Vitamix, but there are several other great high-speed blender brands out there. I use my Vitamix almost daily for making sauces and dressings. It makes replacing oil with nuts and seeds a do-able task. I also use it to grind oats into oat flour, to make quick salsas, and to turn herbs into chimichurri in a flash. If you are looking to invest, because these babies aren’t inexpensive, look for one with a wide mouth container for easier cleaning and an extra container specifically for dry goods.

My Three Favorite Kitchen Gadgets -

CITRUS SQUEEZERS. If you are looking to up the flavor of your food without adding extra oil, lemon and lime juice are essential. I’ve had a variety of citrus juicers over the years - electric, the old-fashioned glass ones, and a basic wooden reamer. Take it from someone who juices A LOT of citrus, these little squeezers from Chef’n work the best. They yield a ton of juice, and they hold the seeds in so you don’t need to take a second step to strain your juice. I like having one for lemons and one for limes, because they are perfectly sized for maximum juice removal. Putting your fruit in the opposite way of the scoop (with the flat cut side of the fruit toward the curved side of the juicer) will give you the greatest juice volume. It seems counterintuitive, but it works like a charm!

JULIENNE PEELER. This inexpensive little gadget turns a single carrot into a delight of tiny strips in seconds. Love it! I use mine all the time.

MANDOLIN – You can get super fancy varieties, huge ones that make a permanent statement on your kitchen counter, and even professional ones that will take off your fingers without a second thought. I have used this trusty plastic variety from OXO for years. I think I paid $15 for it. It works great, I like the user-friendly finger guard, and I can easily pop it in the dishwasher. It makes perfect veg slices every time. No matter which mandolin you choose, it will save you hours of chopping.

I’d love to know which kitchen tools you find most helpful!

Happy cooking!
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