Today, we want to look at some kitchen utensils that working mums should have in order to make life in the kitchen efficient, simple and painless.

You don’t need to buy every single kitchen gadget that is hawked at you by all these companies. This will only result in clutter.

I have complied an essential kitchen utensils list just for you to get started.

To view our must have kitchen equipment click here.

My top 15 Essential Kitchen Utensils

1) Knives

Source: http://www.letsgodine.com

A set of sharp knives is a great kitchen investment. It would help with cutting and calving effortlessly. Do you know how frustrating it is to use a dull knife to cut meat or chicken???

Having a set of sharp knives helps you to quickly go through any cutting you require in the kitchen.

My knife set come with a scissor, which is very handy as well for cutting. It also comes with a serrated knife for slicing breads.

Just make sure you keep them out of reach of your toddler or children’s reach.

For some tips on how to care for your knives check out this lovely article by Mama’s High Strung.

2) Kitchen timer

This is a simple and cheap but one of the effective kitchen utensils to help you in timing your cooking. How many times have you forgotten something cooking on the cooker because you got distracted by a yelling child or something else?

With a kitchen timer all you need to do is set it. When the timer ends its usually sets off in a high pitched tone which is usually hard to miss. A kitchen timer can save you from burning your house cooking.

Most ovens have an installed timer. Even better!

I also use the kitchen timer has a discipline tool for time outs etc which is very effective.

3) Pressure cooker

Source: www.prestige.co.uk

A pressure cooker is a time saver! My mum had one when we were growing up and meals used to pop out of the kitchen really quickly! I knew I had to get one when I grew up.

A pressure cooker saves you time and gas bill when cooking food items that take forever to cook, such as beans and meat.

Some people refer to use a slow cooker to cook their food all day but I’m all for anything quick.

4) A kitchen “blackboard”

This is essential for staying on top of items that are depleting. Once an item is nearly finished it should be written on the kitchen board so you know to replace it.

This is especially handy when you have teenagers or young children in the house. Get them (including the husband) in the habit of writing down kitchen and utility items that are nearly finished.

Mums, I know you are super but I doubt you have super powers to know ALL that needs replacing at home. 🙂

The Other Essential Kitchen Utensils in my kitchen include

5)   Quality sturdy pots and non stick frying pan

6)   Good set of chopping boards. It is always advisable to have separate chopping boards for meat and vegetable items.

7)   A good quality can opener to open tinned food.

8)   A peeler for peeling potatoes and other vegetables is efficient and minimizes the risk of you cutting yourself if you were using a knife.

9)   A grater to grate cheese, carrots or even frozen butter for baking!

10)   A wooden spoon

11)   A set of mesh sieve for cleaning vegetables, draining pasta, straining bones for meat stocks or shifting flour.

12)   Tongs for loosen boiling spaghetti or tossing your salads

13   Baking sheets. I use this for lining my baking pans when grilling or baking. This prevents your food item from sticking to the pan and also makes the pans easier to wash.

14)  Cling film to cover up or wrap food items that need to go into the fridge.

15)  An electric kitchen kettle helps to quickly boil water for a cuppa or for cooking. Saves gas as it takes forever for water to boil on the oven.

*******************************************************************

Depending on how you cook and your upbringing some items would not fall into your essential kitchen utensils list.

For example some people must have measuring cups and spoons on their kitchen utensils list but I never measure anything when cooking. I just eye ball what I need (this is what happens when you learn how to cook by an African mum). 🙂

So what is on your must have kitchen utensils list? Please share in the comment section below. I would love to know.