By: Meg Galvin, SparkPeople Blogger
12/13/2012 6:00 AM   :  18 comments   :  15,073 Views

This time of year, it seems like we're all spending more time in the kitchen. Whether you're baking cookies for a big family party or just making dinner on a Tuesday night, having the right tools makes cooking more enjoyable. Today I'm sharing eight kitchen tools you might want to add to your holiday wish list to make recipe prep and cooking a breeze!

 
Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat
Non-stick silicone baking mats are great ways to cook items without any added fat. Whether you're baking cookies or roasting veggies, you can ensure your food doesn't stick without any added fat.
     
Multi-Purpose "Bench" Scraper/Chopper
A bench scraper is the perfect tool to speed up your prep time and keep your cutting board neat.  Every time you grab your knife, collect the scraper as well.  The straight edge lets you scoop up your chopped veggies without dulling the edge of your knife. The straight but not sharp edge makes this safe for new cooks and kids.
 
 
Tortilla Shell Pans
You won't need Mexican takeout when you have these tortilla shell pans in your kitchen.  They are perfect tool to cut out the fat in the traditional taco salad recipe.  No need for deep fat frying the tortilla in quarts of oil.  Bake them in the oven with just a mist of nonstick spray. You can also use these pans to bake cookie dough, fillo dough, or even pie crusts into "cups."


Cooking/Cooling Racks
Oven-safe cooking and cooling racks are so useful in the kitchen!  Use them to lift up meats off baking or roasting pans so the fat drips away from the meat and onto the pan.  They're also a must for faux frying foods.  The breaded foods are elevated so that heat can reach all sides to give a "just fried" appearance without the fat.

 

Immersion Blender
I love tools that will handle more than one job in the kitchen.  This immersion blender will do so much more than just puree foods.  It will chop fresh herbs to add to salsas, soups, or salad dressings.  Plus, it's perfect for healthy quick smoothies for breakfast or a snack. 
 
 
Cuisipro Dry Measuring Cups and Spoons
A recipe that results in a perfect dish is actually a formula with specific ratios.  Don't risk upsetting the ratio and risking failure by using warped or inaccurate measuring cups and spoons for your dry ingredients.  These stainless steel Cuisipro cups will not change in shape after endless runs through the dishwasher, so your teaspoon of baking soda will actually be just that: 1 teaspoon.
 
 
"Wonder" Measuring Cup
In the kitchen, dry and liquid measuring cups are not interchangeable. But what if you're measuring something that's in between--say, something sticky? To ensure perfect results, reach for the "Wonder" measuring cup, which can easily measure sticky ingredients such as honey, nut butters, or tahini.  Because of the tube style, you get the correct amount needed and without all the mess of a traditional measuring cup. You just slide up the measuring cup to push out the food!
 
 
Knife Sharpener
If the knife you are using is dull, you will apply more pressure when cutting and chopping, which can lead to a slip and then a cut.  Keep your knives sharp with affordable and easy to store knife sharpener.
 
What is your favorite healthy cooking tool?

You might also like: Chef Meg's Top 10 Tools for a Stress-Free Kitchen

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