If you have a particularly small kitchen, or you are new to cooking, I've created a list of kitchen tools that you may not already have that will make your cooking time easier, cleaner, and more fun, particularly since you're already dealing with new challenges by preparing food gluten free!
small strainer
Cost: $2-5
The strainer, which you can easily get at the grocery store within your typical grocery budget, will make it possible for you to grind your own grains. In my first few months, I didn't know that after you ground grains at home, those larger pieces would give your finished foods a gritty texture. Sifting ground grains through the strainer will make it possible to remove the large pieces. A strainer is also useful for straining fresh juices, clear soups and purees.
whisk
Cost: $1-5
As children, we thought whisks were only useful for banging on pots and pans. My mom maybe used the whisk for Thanksgiving gravy. But, whisks are so useful for preparing the dry ingredients in nearly any gluten free baking recipe! The dry ingredients should be whisked together to remove any clumps. After all, no one wants a muffins that has a surprise glob of gooey xanthan gum inside, right?
rolling pin
Cost: $5-10
Make sure that the rolling pin you have in your kitchen is gluten free. A rolling pin that is not gluten free can be an unwanted source of contamination. I actually waited a while before getting a new rolling pin - I just didn't have the time to pick one up - but the rolling pin makes it possible to make great cookies, galette crusts, and to beat cuts of meat to be more flat.
silpat baking mat
Cost: $8-20
A silicon baking mat is a great addition to your kitchen. Pick up one that fits inside the edges of a baking sheet you already own. The baking mat will make several tasks easier, because the consistency of a gluten free dough can be challenging. If not challenging, the consistency can at least be different than what you are used to. Use your baking mat to help keep cookies from spreading, to roll out pastry doughs, to keep biscuits and individual bread goods from burning on the bottom, and an easy way to transport something fragile, like a pie crust. If you plan on baking both sweet and savory things on a baking mat, you should probably get two, so that your cookies don't taste like garlic!
oil bottle
Cost: $3-7 each
I adore my oil bottles - I have two of them. I keep them on the edge of my stove, which is where they will get used most often. One holds a vegetable oil that I buy in bulk, and the other holds a high quality olive oil that is great for finishing dishes. Oil bottles make it possible to only have to deal with the mess of pouring oil every few weeks or so, rather than each time you are preparing a recipe. You can buy curvy designer bottles, or whatever you like. The easy-pour spouts keep your countertop clean, and help with "drizzling" oil and quick measuring.
small strainer
Cost: $2-5
The strainer, which you can easily get at the grocery store within your typical grocery budget, will make it possible for you to grind your own grains. In my first few months, I didn't know that after you ground grains at home, those larger pieces would give your finished foods a gritty texture. Sifting ground grains through the strainer will make it possible to remove the large pieces. A strainer is also useful for straining fresh juices, clear soups and purees.
whisk
Cost: $1-5
As children, we thought whisks were only useful for banging on pots and pans. My mom maybe used the whisk for Thanksgiving gravy. But, whisks are so useful for preparing the dry ingredients in nearly any gluten free baking recipe! The dry ingredients should be whisked together to remove any clumps. After all, no one wants a muffins that has a surprise glob of gooey xanthan gum inside, right?
rolling pin
Cost: $5-10
Make sure that the rolling pin you have in your kitchen is gluten free. A rolling pin that is not gluten free can be an unwanted source of contamination. I actually waited a while before getting a new rolling pin - I just didn't have the time to pick one up - but the rolling pin makes it possible to make great cookies, galette crusts, and to beat cuts of meat to be more flat.
silpat baking mat
Cost: $8-20
A silicon baking mat is a great addition to your kitchen. Pick up one that fits inside the edges of a baking sheet you already own. The baking mat will make several tasks easier, because the consistency of a gluten free dough can be challenging. If not challenging, the consistency can at least be different than what you are used to. Use your baking mat to help keep cookies from spreading, to roll out pastry doughs, to keep biscuits and individual bread goods from burning on the bottom, and an easy way to transport something fragile, like a pie crust. If you plan on baking both sweet and savory things on a baking mat, you should probably get two, so that your cookies don't taste like garlic!
oil bottle
Cost: $3-7 each
I adore my oil bottles - I have two of them. I keep them on the edge of my stove, which is where they will get used most often. One holds a vegetable oil that I buy in bulk, and the other holds a high quality olive oil that is great for finishing dishes. Oil bottles make it possible to only have to deal with the mess of pouring oil every few weeks or so, rather than each time you are preparing a recipe. You can buy curvy designer bottles, or whatever you like. The easy-pour spouts keep your countertop clean, and help with "drizzling" oil and quick measuring.
Have you ever tried to get the zest off an orange with a steak knife? Three bandaids and lots of frustration later, you end up with more pith (the bitter white stuff) than zest (the flavorful, colored stuff). A zester is so worth it if you will be making various dishes at home. Which you will, because you eat gluten free. A zester is a long grater with fine teeth, all pointed in one direction. You brush it along your citrus, and on the opposite side, your beautiful zest collects. It has a comfortable handle, is easy to wash, and is worth its weight in zesty, bright gold.
spice grinder/coffee grinder
Cost: $20-200
These are very helpful if you want to grind your own grains, like actual brown rice into brown rice flour. I use mine for almonds, quinoa, brown rice, millet, and occasionally a whole spice (like fresh cinnamon sticks!) Mine is a low end coffee grinder model that is sleek, and looks nice on the counter. If you do grind your own coffee, it would be best to get a separate one so all your baked goods don't taste like coffee.
zipper bags
Cost: varies - these are worth buying in bulk!
Zipper bags have been so incredibly useful for us! One helpful reason for having zipper bags is to be able to separate cuts of meat right after you buy them. I will buy a tray of, for instance, 5 pounds of chicken breasts, and divide them into meal-sized packages. This may be more of a cheapskate trick, than a gluten free necessity, but it totally works for us. We also divide up ground beef and pork chops. You can also store individual servings of baked items in the freezer in zipper bags, for later eating. Also perfect since you are going to be packing lots of lunches, right? You can keep small servings of fruit and vegetables in them to throw in your lunches, or in the car for a snack.
freezer space
I don't know if you can put a price on having freezer space! It's been so valuable for us. My apartment only has a fridge/freezer combo - just your typical outdated appliance - so the space is at a premium. I have my freezer organized with cuts of meat, marinating meats, bread products, frozen fruits and vegetables, and in the door - leftover sauces, small portions of beans (out of the bottom of the can), and other "bits" of food that will be great to reuse in another meal. This is one way a gluten free chef can have "convenience" food and a more efficient kitchen.
food processor or blender
Cost: $25-250
While there's a range of costs for food processors and blenders, you will get what you pay for. Right now I have a small Cuisinart Food Chopper that holds about a cup and a half of food. It was low-priced. You will use a food processor to get your gluten free recipes chopped and blended appropriately (many recipes will advise you when it's best to use one), and even to make smoothies or prepare ice cream.
Not included on this list is the stand mixer I have. It's excellent for making pizza dough or bread dough. Stand mixers are expensive. If you're in it for the long haul, healing your achy Celiac bones, this is worth it.
What's your favorite or unexpected kitchen tool that makes your gluten free life easier?
Cost: $20-200
These are very helpful if you want to grind your own grains, like actual brown rice into brown rice flour. I use mine for almonds, quinoa, brown rice, millet, and occasionally a whole spice (like fresh cinnamon sticks!) Mine is a low end coffee grinder model that is sleek, and looks nice on the counter. If you do grind your own coffee, it would be best to get a separate one so all your baked goods don't taste like coffee.
zipper bags
Cost: varies - these are worth buying in bulk!
Zipper bags have been so incredibly useful for us! One helpful reason for having zipper bags is to be able to separate cuts of meat right after you buy them. I will buy a tray of, for instance, 5 pounds of chicken breasts, and divide them into meal-sized packages. This may be more of a cheapskate trick, than a gluten free necessity, but it totally works for us. We also divide up ground beef and pork chops. You can also store individual servings of baked items in the freezer in zipper bags, for later eating. Also perfect since you are going to be packing lots of lunches, right? You can keep small servings of fruit and vegetables in them to throw in your lunches, or in the car for a snack.
freezer space
I don't know if you can put a price on having freezer space! It's been so valuable for us. My apartment only has a fridge/freezer combo - just your typical outdated appliance - so the space is at a premium. I have my freezer organized with cuts of meat, marinating meats, bread products, frozen fruits and vegetables, and in the door - leftover sauces, small portions of beans (out of the bottom of the can), and other "bits" of food that will be great to reuse in another meal. This is one way a gluten free chef can have "convenience" food and a more efficient kitchen.
food processor or blender
Cost: $25-250
While there's a range of costs for food processors and blenders, you will get what you pay for. Right now I have a small Cuisinart Food Chopper that holds about a cup and a half of food. It was low-priced. You will use a food processor to get your gluten free recipes chopped and blended appropriately (many recipes will advise you when it's best to use one), and even to make smoothies or prepare ice cream.
Not included on this list is the stand mixer I have. It's excellent for making pizza dough or bread dough. Stand mixers are expensive. If you're in it for the long haul, healing your achy Celiac bones, this is worth it.
What's your favorite or unexpected kitchen tool that makes your gluten free life easier?
Fabulous list! I've got everything but the oil bottles =D.
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