The Best Kitchen Tools to Simplify Your Holiday Meals
The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones and indulging in delicious dishes around the dining room table, but it can also feel a bit chaotic now and again. Luckily, with the right kitchen tools, you can take the stress out of your holiday meal prep and spend more time enjoying these precious moments.
Some of the best kitchen gadgets can help you improve your process and make cooking for the holidays more enjoyable every step of the way. From chopping up your first veggies to checking the temperature of the final feast before serving, holiday cooking is made easier with cool kitchen gadgets. So, which kitchen tools do you need for a festive but fancy-free cooking experience? Keep reading to learn about useful kitchen gadgets for this holiday season.
Air fryers.
If you’re preparing for Thanksgiving dinner or another holiday meal, think outside of the box—think about an air fryer. These handy appliances rely on the circulation of hot air instead of oil, opening up a wide range of cooking possibilities without the messy grease. However, if you are longing for a little of that traditional deep-fried flavor, you can always air fry food with oil on it.
An air fryer is also nice if you want to add a little crisp to your holiday side dishes or roast veggies when the oven is full. Many air fryers can bake, roast, toast, broil, steam and proof your ingredients as well. There are even rotisserie included air fryers that can be used to cook your holiday roast to perfection without even turning your regular oven on.
Air fryers are also a great solution for young and picky eaters at the kids’ table that want to munch on French fries, tater tots and other snacks that may not be on your holiday menu. Regardless of what you are cooking, an air fryer can help you whip up food in a flash with minimal involvement so you can focus on the main course.
Food processors.
One of the most laborious aspects of holiday cooking is preparing the ingredients for each dish. You may need to peel, chop, mix or blend several items before they’re ready to go into the dish. So why not chop your prep time in half with a food processor?
Now more versatile than ever before, a food processor can help you slice carrots, chop brussels sprouts or dice breadcrumbs and celery for homemade stuffing. And if you have guests coming over for the holidays, don’t worry—you can find large food processors that can hold up to fourteen cups of food for family-sized dishes that will leave everybody at the feast feeling satisfyingly full.
A food processor can be a useful kitchen gadget for breads, desserts and sauces as well. Or try out a food processor with emulsifying capabilities for sauces, dips and gravies. To learn more about all you can do with this multipurpose device, check out these food processor tips and tricks that are sure to come in handy this holiday season.
Pressure cookers and slow cookers.
Some of the best kitchen tools for adding convenience to your holiday meal prep are pressure cookers and slow cookers. Both of these advantageous appliances can help you get the most out of your time with the least amount of effort.
A pressure cooker allows you to cook grains, potatoes, beans, squash and more in a fraction of the time it would take to cook on the stove. Simply load the pressure cooker with your desired holiday ingredients, add water and the device will build up steam, cooking your food in record time while locking in simmering flavors.
On the other hand, slow cookers and roaster ovens slowly cook your foods at lower temperatures, filling the house with mouthwatering aromas while each dish is uniquely flavored to perfection. Utilizing lower but steady temperatures will leave you with tasty and tender dishes for the heart of the holiday. You can slow-cook a holiday roast, succulent vegetables or even a cozy batch of homemade hot chocolate.
Mixers.
If you’re someone who likes to make holiday desserts from scratch, a dependable mixer is a must-have. Whether you’re whipping up a sweet pie or everyone’s favorite holiday cookies, a proper mixer can help you control your speed and get the best texture for your creations.
Depending on what you want to bake, you can choose between a hand or stand mixer. If you need to quickly mix ingredients for small, simple recipes, a hand mixer can offer fast speeds in a compact, portable device. Hand mixers are perfect for basic tasks like beating eggs, whipping cream and making icing.
But if you need to work with heavier doughs or larger batches, you’ll want to invest in a quality stand mixer. You can use this cool kitchen gadget to make delicious cinnamon rolls, flakey breads and fluffy mashed potatoes. You can even find mixer accessories that let you shave ice, grind meat and make homemade pasta, enabling you to prepare sweet and savory holiday dishes with just one device.
Food thermometers.
Whether you’re new to holiday cooking or a seasoned pro, a digital food thermometer can make your time in the kitchen much easier. With a food thermometer, you can remove the guesswork and discover the exact temperature of your food, so you can have confidence that your dish is cooked to perfection.
Food thermometers are especially important if your family eats meat on the holidays. Digital meat thermometers can help you discover when your poultry is safe to consume without overcooking it. Or if you’re preparing a cut of beef or fish, a meat thermometer can help you get a perfect medium rare or any other style you prefer.
However, if you want to use your food thermometer to make candies, jams and syrups for the holidays, you’ll need a longer thermometer that keeps you at a safe distance from oils or sugars at scalding temperatures. Along the same lines, make sure you take into consideration the size of the pot you will be using when finding the best food thermometer for your needs.