Easy and Fast Cooking Appliances
No matter how many people you’re planning to feed or how much you like to cook, every home chef runs into the problem of how to quickly and easily prepare a meal. And no, you won’t need to order a pizza this time. The right kitchen appliance can help you prepare a good meal in practically minutes. And chances are likely that you won’t have to worry about sacrificing quality or nutrients in the end. Which appliances should you consider? Let’s take a look.
A Food Processor
Serious home cooks should have a food processor in their kitchen. Not only can a food processor help prepare blended foods (soups, smoothies, etc.) but a food processor can be highly valuable when it comes to saving time in the kitchen. Food processors can help you crush spices, knead dough, and even chop vegetables, making it simple to prepare an excellent home cooked meal.
Microwaves
Don’t turn your nose up at the simple microwave. This workhorse can help prepare food in seconds. And best of all, the flash cooking method used by a microwave can help lock in nutrients from vegetables. Use microwaves for preparing baked potatoes and side dishes in a pinch. And if it’s leftover night, use a microwave to quickly heat up leftovers without sacrificing flavor.
Panini Press
Paninis are a classic. And with the right ingredients, a Panini can be a quick, healthy and filling meal. And if you’re feeding a family, invite your family members to customize their own Paninis. Chicken, ham and various vegetables- the possibilities are endless. In fact, make your own sandwiches using leftovers. And it takes virtually minutes to make a sandwich.
Crock-Pot
Okay, so a crock-pot may be the opposite of a fast cooking appliance. But you’ll be glad to have one around when you have to work a long shift. A crock-pot can enable you to cook a full meal while you’re at work. From pot roasts to soups, enjoy tender meat with little effort. The slow heat ensures everything’s done evenly. And it gives you plenty of time to work on the rest of the meal or whatever work still needs to be done at home.
Rice Cooker
Rice is a valuable and handy side to have on hand. Rice, for the most part, pairs well with any entrée. From stir-fries to accompanying a roast, it’s an easy way to help fill out a meal. So a rice cooker is a natural choice to add to your own kitchen. Saving up valuable stove space, a rice cooker is easy to set up- just add rice and water and you’re good to go. Best of all, it’s easy to clean. And you can even go one step further and steam vegetables in some models of rice cookers. Steaming helps retain nutrients, ensuring healthier meals with little effort.
Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens, like microwaves, often get a bad rap. But toaster ovens are surprisingly decent appliances to have around. Allowing you to quickly melt cheese, heat up sandwiches and more, a toaster oven has numerous applications. Best of all, a toaster oven is perfect for a kitchen short on space. There’s a reason why toaster ovens are popular in dorm rooms. They’re no nonsense, easy to clean, and save on space.
Kettle
Every kitchen should have a tea kettle that you can heat up either electronically or on your stove. Even if you’re not a tea drinker, it’s a convenient appliance to have. Heat up water for quick soups, ramen, and so on. But if you are a tea drinker, a proper tea kettle ensures you’ve always got enough water for a good cup of tea which is a must for entertaining.
Hand Mixers
A hand mixer is definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys baking once in a while. But don’t assume that a hand mixer is only for mixing dough and other ingredients. Some hand mixers can even blend smoothies, protein shakes and more (a must for a quick morning meal). Mixing by hand is all well and fine but a hand mixer can help you save on time, frustration, and ensure that you have a smooth and perfectly uniform mix every time.
Electric Grills
Grilling is a summertime staple. But grilling can also be a time saving cooking method, ensuring juicy meats and crisp, sweet vegetables every time. To save even more time consider an electric grill. An electric grill can help you quickly grill meals indoors and ensures both a quick meal and perfectly grilled food no matter the weather or season.