Can't Live Without It: The First in a Series

There are certain things I just can't live without in the kitchen.

Well, 

actually,

I suppose I could.

Live without them I mean.

If you look at it literally, I suppose all I need is

water

and

bread.

But let's look at it in terms of what I like.

Yes, those are good terms. 

I'll showcase my favorites in no particular order,

show no favoritism,
no bias.

I like to stay on good terms with all my kitchen items.

Let's start with...

My very favorite cast iron dutch oven.

This picture shows it working hard simmering a spaghetti sauce.

WOOHOO!

And although the pretty red is chipped here and there,

I still talk to it like it was shiny and new.

You've got to treat your pots right.

Next up,

My two very favorite knives.

I'm a Henckels girl myself.

But brand schmand.

I say just find one that feels good in your hand,

and is razor sharp.

Dangerously, illegally sharp.

Makes all the difference in the world.

And the trips to the ER for stitches will be TOTALLY offset by the

wonderful food you'll prepare with them.

Trust me.

I know these things.

TOTALLY offset.

(But do me a favor and don't bring up this topic with

The Chief.

He might

possibly

have a different

opinion)

Thanks.

And then there's this stuff...

This is the best stuff ever.

I get the Lemon Verbena scent.

I'll blog one day about how

smells

trigger memories for me.

But for now just suffice it to say that this makes my kitchen smell

perfect.

Wonderful.

Right.

Next my friends is this nifty little thing.

My clear acrylic cookbook stand/recipe holder.

You could say

that I'm not the neatest girl in the kitchen.

Yes, you could say that and not be entirely wrong.

This thing protects my cookbooks to live another day.

And then the WORK HORSE.

I can't say enough about how well me and this guy get along.

This one has had a lot of rest though lately,

as I placed a moratorium of sorts on

things that made my hips grow

exponentially.

But, the hips have waited long enough,

and I'm about to put this thing in high gear!

And these.  They need no explanation.

I just sleep better knowing they are all in their

proper

spot.

And finally.

What on earth would I do

without my

highly trained

ever motivated

sous chef extraordinaire....

He's always there

to help.

Always.

And it doesn't seem to bother him at all

when I make a big mess.

Especially if it's

on the

floor.

What are your kitchen must-haves??

Your Grandma's aprons?

Your special salt shaker?

The Weege wants to know!!