Swissmar Peeler

Around 6$
I’m coocoo over this peeler that never seems to wear out! If you’ve had a bad vegetable peeler then you know the frustration and hard work it makes of taking the peel off a carrot or potato! This gem of a toll comes in different colors and is the perfect gift for anyone, from the occasional home cook to the seasoned chef.

KitchenAid 300 Immersion Blender

Around $90
I use my immersion blender to blend healthy creamy soup right in the pot just like they do in top restaurants! Make smooth homemade tomato sauce and creamy sauce with a push of a button. This model also comes with attachment s that double as a mini-chopper and electric whisk. The bottom part detaches and pops right in the dishwasher for super simple clean-up.

Cuisinart DLC-5 7-Cup Capacity Food Processor

Around $100
Pizza doughs, homemade breads, and pie crusts are a snap with this workhorse appliance that should have a permanent spot on your counter. Chopping and grating veggies for your favorite healthy meals including stews, salads, and snacks. Mine has seen some wear after 8 years of constant use and is still going strong!

Quality, not quantity should be your guide. A well-made set of 3-4 knives is plenty for a beginner or intermediate home cook. If you want to splurge, by all means check out Korin’s astounding knife collection.

Investing in Knives

Every kitchen should have at least three knives. The chef’s knife, usually 8-10 inches long, is the knife I use every day and the workhorse in anyone’s kitchen. It is used for chopping, slicing and dicing, basically it’s the all-purpose knife. A serrated knife, 8-10 inches long to use on bread, and hard to cut items like squashes, vegetable stalks, and for slicing roasts. Lastly, a paring knife, usually 3-4 inches long, for peeling, coring, and slicing small items like cherry tomatoes!

How much do you cook?

Most home cooks who prepare between 5-7 meals at home each week only need 3-4 knives. Each knife, like a set of ratchets or make-up brushes has it’s own purpose. Now men - I know some of you want to reach for those hefty cleavers, but my advice is to keep it simple when you make your first purchase. If you’re not going to be filleting fish or chopping bones, stick with a few solid all purpose knives.

Comfort

Don’t be wowed by the big, shiny racecar models, think about comfort. How does the handle feel in your hand? Is the knife too big for you to handle, or are you concerned about cutting yourself when you hold it? Most shops or department stores have floor models of each knife so you can inspect it before buying. Definitely hold the knife for comfort but also take notice of the weight and size. I prefer smaller models since I chop several hours per day, especially when I’m hosting large events, so the lighter the better! I can’t stress quality enough when buying knives and these are the knives I’ve used and loved over the years.

Care

I know it’s tempting to toss them in but please don’t put your knives in the dishwasher – it damages the handle and may warp the blade. But if you respect your knives and hand-wash them, they will last forever. Try not to drop them on the floor - whoops!- or toss them into the sink! If you do happen to chip the blade, they are still quite usable but have a tendency to drag when slicing. Keep them sharp - there are plenty of easy ways to do it.

View Jen’s favorite knives in this related post.

Wüsthof

Around $40-80 each
Great, strong knives that I used in culinary school and during my time working in restaurants. They last forever and are definitely worth the extra investment. I suggest the 8-inch Cook’s Knife, depending on the size of your hands, as well as the 9-inch Gourmet Bread Knife, and the 4.5-inch Paring Knife
 
 

Ceramic Santoku Knife

Pink-handled, Susan G. Komen, Around $60
The blade is made from ceramic materials with an ultra sharp blade. Besides having a soft spot for the pink handle, this knife glides through the most delicate herbs, veggies, and boneless meats. The size is perfect for small hands like mine and makes prep work a breeze! Just be careful with the blade, no banging or dropping little pinky, or using her on meat bones - her blade can chip but if you take care you will get many, many years of use from her. Buy it!

L’Econome Paring Knife

Around $7
I like to have a bunch of paring knives and these inexpensive dandies have a thin, sharp blade.