Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Wayfair. I was provided with a Wayfair gift card. All opinions/thoughts regarding my cutlery and cookware wish list are my own.
We go out to eat a lot. Sometimes it's just us, other times we go out with friends - usually with Joseph's cousin, Julio. I don't cook often. I'm more of a special occasion cook. And since it's holiday season I am constantly in the kitchen. Joseph and Norrin love when I cook. And I love feeding the people I love. The other weekend I invited Julio over for a pre-holiday meal. I made a traditional Puerto Rican holiday meal: pernil and arroz con gandules.
At the end of the meal, Julio said, "We go out to eat so often, I forget you know how to cook." Oh that guy, he's lucky I love him like a brother.
After spending that Sunday in the kitchen (and after cooking on Thanksgiving) I realized 3 things.
1. I like cooking.
2. My cooking is pretty good.
3. My kitchen is lacking a few things that could make cooking easier.
Cooking big meals also makes me realize how much my little kitchen is lacking. And I find myself wishing I had certain things. Living in a Bronx apartment, our kitchen is small so I don't have a lot of room. But I picked out some amazing items from Wayfair.com that I know will make my life easier and that won't take up much space.
My must-have cutlery and cookware items for the special occasion cook:
1. Your Opinion Wasn't in the Recipe apron. Cooking can be messy and I love this apron for so many reasons. It will be easy for me to wipe my hands on and it will keep people from offering their opinions on what I should or shouldn't be doing. Because I really hate that.
2. Le Creuset Mortar and Pestle Set. I love my old school pilon, I've had it forever. I think I even got from Puerto Rico. But I really like this Mortar and Pestle set. It's made of stoneware not wood (like mine) and I think it would be easier for me to clean. Also it's beautiful!
3. Marinade Injector. I'm curious about the marinade injector. I wonder if it will make the difference in my pernil. I've heard good things so it made it to the wishlist. (Though I would still slice cuts into the pork to insert whole cloves of garlic.)
4. All-Clad Stainless Steel Large Roasting Pan with Rack and Turkey Forks. Because I'm a special occasion cook when I make a pork or turkey, I usually use the disposable aluminum trays. My mother finally got so frustrated that she gave me one of her old roasting pans. And it works fine but I really want this All-Clad Stainless steel one. Not only does it have the handles to make it easier taking it in and out of the oven but it also has a rack and forks. It's perfect for big holiday meal making.
5. Le Creuset 8 in. Cool Tool. I have regular pot material holders and I still manage to feel the heat when handling pots and pans. I love that this Cool Tool is multi-functional and easy to clean. I'll take 2 please - 3 if you're feeling generous.
8. KAI Pure Komachi 2 Chef's Knife with Sheath. Okay...so maybe I love this because it's pink. But isn't it cute? I love it. I tend to do a lot of chopping, cutting and slicing for holiday meal prep. I need a knife that will keep up.
9. IMUSA Caldero. I want/need this desperately! I make my rice in a regular little pot. And while it does the trick I need a caldero. And the cool thing about this is, that it can go in the oven too.
10. Emerilware Cast Iron 20" x 10.5" Reversible Grill Pan and Griddle. This is something Joseph and I both want. I want this for grilling veggies - my peppers would have been so much better on this grill pan. And Joseph wants this so he can make pancakes. That's my treat after I cook a big holiday meal. The next morning, Joseph makes me my favorite breakfast: banana walnut pancakes and bacon.
What kind of cook are you? What's on your wish list?
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Wayfair. I was provided with a Wayfair gift card. All opinions/thoughts regarding my cutlery and cookware wish list are my own.
Labels: Atypical Mami, Gift Guide, Holiday Gift Ideas, Sponsored Posts, Wayfair
