Here are some kitchen products I love:

• Kitchenaid mixer – My Kitchenaid mixer is the standard size with standard attachments, and dang do I use it a lot. I’ve used it for cookies and cakes, breads, and even mashed potatoes.
• Cuisinart food processor – I grew up using my parents’ old school cuisinart, so I always knew I wanted one in my kitchen. Aside from normal uses like purees and the like, the grating attachment comes in super handy for things like fritters (latke season, amirite?), as does the slicing attachment if you don’t have a mandoline.
• Vitamix blender – I was lucky to score my Vitamix at a garage sale (half off what what!), and while it takes up a lot of space, it is by far the best blender I have ever used. It is perfect for smoothies, soups, and even things like whipped mashed potatoes. A little tricky to clean, but worth it.
• Juicer – I got this juicer as a gift, and it is magnificent. It is lime specific (I use limes more often than lemons), but can definitely juice lemons too if you cut them into smaller pieces.
• Microplane – I think this is something that absolutely every home cook should have. From zesting citrus fruits to grating fresh nutmeg to topping your pasta with a dusting of parmesan, this bad boy is perfect in every way.
• Chopsticks – It wasn’t until Jonah and I brought back a set of chopsticks from Vietnam that I realized how handy these are in the kitchen. Once you’ve mastered the art of using them, they are really great for cooking on the stove – checking to see if oil is hot, and flipping food in hot pans. We’ve also been known to use them to stir french press coffee and help prop up drooping plants.
• Peeler – I’ve read in a couple of different places that when you find a peeler you love, go buy a few of them – and it’s true. People are particular about their peelers, and this is the one I’ve fallen for. It’s comfy to hold, and the blade has stayed sharp after many years of use.