If you're a regular visitor to the blog How Sweet Eats, then you know Jessica Merchant has constant and ever-changing obsessions, lovesneonandsparkles, and overzealously uses exclamation points. She also makes some of the most deliciously charming food, especially apparent in her new book,The Pretty Dish.
Merchant makes you feel like a close friend with her monthly roundup of lifestyle favorites, but truly has her readers coming back to see what amazing! to die for! recipes she's dreamt up. From seasonal (Lucky Charms cereal milk confetti cupcakes) to easy (15-minute sesame ramen noodles),How Sweet Eatsis a treasure trove of fun, comforting recipes. Read on for all the kitchen toolsMerchantcan't live without.
1.Food Processor
"This ismy number onein the kitchen. I adore it for making sauces, salad dressings, pesto, and nut butters. But it can also slice potatoes, grate cheese—all the goods!"
BUY IT:Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor, $170 on Amazon
2.Garlic Press
"I realize this is a hot topic because most professionally trained chefsdon’t love this product. I personally do! I’m not the greatest at finely mincing garlic and I’d like to keep my fingers, so this is a sure favorite."
BUY IT:ZYLISS Garlic Press, $17 on Amazon
3.Dutch Oven
"I use my largeDutch ovenfor everything! I use it almost daily. I frybaconin it. I makeone pot pastas. Soup, of course! The options are endless."
BUY IT:Le Creuset 3 1/2 Quart Cast-Iron Round Dutch Oven, from $286 on Amazon
4.Glass Prep Bowls
"Mise en place! The cooking process goes so much easier for me when I haveeverything set out ahead of time. I measure and chop whatever is needed and boom! Most weeknight meals are finished in30 minutes or less."
BUY IT:Pyrex Prepware 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set, $13 on Amazon
5.Kosher Salt
"Kosher salt… and anadorable salt pigto hold it. I season all my food by taste and havekosher saltand black pepper on hand at all times!"
BUY IT:Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, $9 on Amazon
6.Nespresso Machine
"Ever since having babies, this gets a good workout once or twice a day.Afternoon espressosare something I adore. I find them even more enjoyable than that first morning cup of coffee."
BUY IT:Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker, $188 on Amazon
7.Baking Soda
"In order to keep my Le Creuset pots and stainless skillets shiny and new, baking soda is my best friend! Itremoves all those stubborn stainsfrom browning and searing and forgetting to turn the burner down when you’re distracted in the kitchen."
BUY IT:Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, $5 on Amazon
8.Multi-Cook Slow Cooker
"I generally don’t make a ton ofslow cooker meals, but when I do? This is the business. This slow cooker has the ability to sauté right in the crock. It’s amazing! No more searing meat separately and transferring it to the slow cooker. It’s all done in one."
BUY IT:Cuisinart Cook Central 4-in-1 Multi-Cooker (7 quart), $180 on Amazon
9.Santoku Knife
"For a very long time, I underestimated the power ofa good knife. No more. This is what I’ve been using in the kitchen for the last year or so and I adore it."
BUY IT:Wusthof 7-inch Santoku Knife, $85 on Amazon
10.Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
"I usethe good stuff—unfiltered apple cider vinegar—for everything from salad dressings to homemade sloppy joes. But my favorite thing is a shot first thing in the morning."
