What are the must-have, desert-island tools I should have in my kitchen?

There are days when I look at all of the gizmos in my kitchen collecting dust, and I think about all the dough I could've saved knowing which cooking kitchen gadgets are really essential and useful, and those that simply take up the precious little counter space I have. I had-had-had to have the pretty yellow KitchenAid stand mixer, and as much as I love cooking, I think I’ve only used it about 12 times in the six years I’ve owned it. I have nine colanders and sieves in different sizes stacked on my kitchen rack, but I only use one. I have three countertop canisters filled with about 40 different tools -- wooden, plastic, and metal spoons, spatulas, skimmers, flippers, whisks, pasta forks, tongs, and more -- but the only tools I use religiously are a whisk, a spatula, and an instant-read thermometer. Don’t even get me started on the pasta machine that’s been used once in the last 11 years.

Chances are you registered for and received a ton of shiny, cool kitchen stuff for the wedding too. But if you had to do it all over again, would you rethink that bread machine and register for an extra, extra set of 400 thread-count sheets or a few backup sets of wine glasses instead?

If you’re a new Nestie or a pending Knottie, maybe there’s still time to save you. Maybe you still have the gift receipts for the 20-quart stand mixer or you haven’t registered for one yet. Because, seriously, take a look at any of the 300+ recipes in our Recipe Finder, and I promise you won’t need a handheld soup puree-er or a stainless steel ravioli press.

Here’s my list of must-haves to set up your newlywed kitchen. Wait until your first anniversary to buy anything else. By that time, you’ll know what’s essential and what’s just wedding gift euphoria.

Cooking Kitchen Essentials

• 8-inch chef’s knife
• Paring knife
• 3 flexible plastic cutting boards in different colors
• Instant-read thermometer
• Dry measuring cups
• 2-cup glass measuring cup (for liquids)
• Medium and large stainless steel mixing bowls
• Small, medium, large sauce pans
• Medium nonstick skillet
• Large heavy-duty skillet
• Medium colander
• Veggie peeler
• Can opener
• Metal tongs
• Microplane or box grater
• Silicone rubber spatula
• Whisk
• Thick oven mitts
• Lots of dish towels
• Water kettle

-- Colleen Rush

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