We’ve all done it, accumulated ample ineffective and poor quality cooking tools that are likely past their shelf life over the years. It likely began when you kept those cheap items from your university days because you’re trying to save a few dollars, or decided to move in with your boyfriend (or girlfriend) and amalgamated a mishmash of your kitchen gadgets that barely worked (i.e. rusty can openers), sound all too familiar?
Well, guess what? You’re an adult now, and it’s time for an upgrade because keeping bad quality kitchen tools are not only a waste of space but if you’re looking to cook a delicious meal, having the right tools on hand is key!
Read more to find out what essential President’s Choice cooking tools every kitchen needs!
When we renovated our kitchen last year, it was a great opportunity to get rid of some old pots and pans, dull knives, and baking sheets and dishes that were covered with food stains that were extremely hard to scrub off.
We only managed to replace some of these items, but thanks to President’s Choice, and the introduction of some of their most coveted cooking tools that are super high quality but totally affordable, we fully restocked our kitchen cabinets!
Pair of Knives
If you purchase a crappy knife, you’ll soon discover that you’ll not enjoy preparing your meals. Imagine having to spend so much extra time chopping your food and never being able to cut precisely, it’s extremely annoying!
Great knives are typically fully forged. That means it is cut from one single slab of steel from blade to handle, offering stability and durability. I recently put the PC® 2-pack Forged Knife Set, crafted in Portugal and made from German steel, to the test.
I was extremely impressed by the quality of this set while preparing for my Kale, Chicken, and Ricotta Jumbo Stuffed Shells. Given the price of this knife set at $49.99, it’s a no-brainer addition to the kitchen for home chefs at all levels!
High Quality Baking Sheet
I’m not a huge fan of baking because my creations never quite turn out as intended even when I follow the recipe to the tee! It was recently brought to my attention that the grade of baking sheets I use may have an effect on my baked goods! Sturdy and commercial grade baking sheets are said to heat up evenly resulting in uniform baking, browning, and consistency.
Since I was convinced that I am terrible at baking, I was never interested in investing in new baking sheets. But now that there is hope, I acquired the PC® 2 Pack Baking Sheets ($29.99), which are 1 mm thick, warp-resistant and reinforced with non-stick coating, reducing the need to scrub those tough stains after baking! Maybe I’ll be posting a few baking recipes soon!
Top Notch Peppermill
How many peppermills have you gone through in your life? For me, I can say, at least five. I’ve had my fair share of plastic peppermills and it was time for an upgrade.
I love marinating and searing meats, and pepper is a very important ingredient. Having a top-notch peppermill can speed up and improve this process. The PC® Wood Pepper Mill is crafted from solid teak, with a ceramic blade and stainless steel construction that allows for even grind. I particularly love the 12” height, it’s super easy to reach for since I like to set mine at the back of the counter.
Cast Iron Pans
As I mentioned, I love cooking meats. Once you’ve experienced grilling a piece of sizzling steak on a cast iron pan, you certainly don’t want to have it any other way. There are so many reasons why a cast iron pan or skillet is fabulous. I love that they are heavy duty, super heat absorbent and can transfer from the cooktop directly into the oven.
Most cast irons I own need to be pre-seasoned (and re-seasoned). If you’ve gone through this process, it’s a bit painful. But a seasoned cast iron pan is necessary, because that is what keeps the longevity of it.
The PC® Enameled Cast Iron Grill Pan or Skillet has an enameled finish that eliminates the need for pre-seasoning (hooray!). If you’re concerned about preserving the cast iron pan and skillet for a long duration of time, you can certainly re-season the pans every so often. I suggest using an oil such as PC® 100% Pure Safflower Oil that has a high smoking point. As a bonus, this 100% pure oil is also great from baking to stir-frying.
I typically use my cast iron pan for meats, however, since I was eager to try the frozen PC® Organics Chopped Kale from the PC Insiders Collection, I decided to take a different approach this time, and used it to bake my delicious Kale, Chicken, and Ricotta Stuffed Jumbo Shells. And since the pans come in a variety of vibrant colors, it was a great addition to the table setting!
A Killer Zester
Don’t be surprised, but I’ve never owned a zester before! I don’t cook with citrus zest often but I can say that I do grade cheese and for my stuffed pasta dish, this PC® Photo Etched Zester came in extremely handy.
This stainless steel blade is super high quality, and offers fast and efficient zesting of any types of cheese. I used PC® Black Label Aged 36 Months Parmigiano Reggiano which is a very hard cheese and in seconds, my pasta dish was lightly coated.
Handheld Immersion Blender
Finally, if you LOVE making handmade soups and sauces, a handheld immersion blender is absolutely necessary. It allows you to blend and puree directly in the pot, eliminating the need to pour out the substances into a separate blender. The PC® Immersion Blender comes with two interchangeable stainless steel shafts and a blending beaker and a touch speed control which gives you more precision.
I made my own tomato sauce by simmering a can of tomatoes alongside with chopped garlic, onions, mushrooms, and a variety of fresh herbs. After about 30 minutes of simmering, I submerged the immersion blender and pulsed it for a few minutes, leaving some delicious chunks of tomatoes and mushrooms behind. Yum!
Whether you’re doing some Spring cleaning, moving into a new space, about to undergo a kitchen renovation, I highly recommend you got through your collection of existing cooking tools and utensils and getting rid of those items that just don’t contribute positively to your cooking experience and make room for the PC kitchen collection!
All the items featured are incredibly budget friendly and top-notch quality!
Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with President’s Choice but all opinions are my own.
