We polled a handful of butter crock owners and these are the adjectives they used to describe their very real addiction with this simple French invention. Also known as the butter keeper, this low-tech and centuries-old method keeps butter soft and spreadable without refrigeration. Pack butter inside the lid and place it into the base of the keeper with a little bit of water in it. This creates an airtight seal that keeps butter soft and fresh for up to a month with a weekly changing of the water. Your grilled cheese and morning English muffin will never be the same.

Photography by Constance Mariena

This story appeared in the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of The Inspired Home Journal, titled “ Game Changer: Butter Crock”.

The post The Butter Crock: A Game Changing Kitchen Hack appeared first on The Inspired Home.

From a mental health perspective, thinking of this time as a way to get creative and reprioritize instead of how it’s ruining your perception of how the holidays should happen is crucial. No one needs a double bummer of it getting darker and colder earlier plus unmet expectations.

One way you can still spread a bit of the togetherness you may be used to feeling during the holiday season is by shipping or dropping off Together Apart packages. This is a great way to flex your creative muscles and curating ability to fit a theme.

While the example I built is overtly autumnal and traditional, you can use the 8 tips below to build anything from a floral bursting birthday parcel to a movie night themed candy loaded stash.

8 Tips for Sending a “Together Apart” Holiday Package

1. Pick the size box you’re shipping in and work backward.

If you’re sending several of the same boxes to friends and family, consider flat rate shipping boxes. Nothing is a worse start to this project than picking your basket or tote to build your package into and realizing it will simply not fit into a box (or you end up spending a few hundred dollars on shipping!).

2. Pick a vessel.

Whether you go for a bag or a basket, the goal is to make it reusable in a different way! I am in love with baskets for containing things in drawers and in closets, so to receive a gift that’s basically held in another gift I can use is super thoughtful. This basket in particular is perfect for sending in packages because it’s slightly flexible and gives a little bit of leeway for ‘overfilling’ with goodies. A basket in this shape would be a good fit for a flat rate rectangular box.

3. Fill it with fluff.

You’ll need a little bit of padding and a display base for your goodies. Here, I’ve used crinkled craft paper, but you could also use tissue paper or even bubble wrap under linen.

4. Think of a color palette.

As you curate items to go in your themed gift basket, remember that picking a tone palate or reoccurring color can help your gift look cohesive. Here, I’ve picked stainless steel finish paired with tan and light blue.

5. Make the items useful and usable.

Everything inside this particular basket is utilitarian and beautiful and should work in any kitchen. We always try to give high quality, natural, neutral materials that will continue to be useful to a person even if their current aesthetic changes. On the flip side, it’s also a lot of fun to do a little bit of stalking and find someone’s Pinterest page or Instagram and really tailor a basket to their exact ‘look’. Let’s dive into why all of these goodies are a good fit:

The Mason Cash All-Purpose Bowl:

This ultra-traditional, beautiful piece of stoneware is good for basically everything. You can cook a pudding in it, use it to store leftovers (it even has a date wheel on the lid so you can set a use-by date), and even put it in the oven, microwave, and dishwasher.

Apron:

You can go so many different ways with the look of an apron but I’ve used this particular apron from NOW designs in a different color at least five times a week for the past nine-plus months. The apron is back. Embrace it.

Measuring Cups and Spoons:

Never underestimate the power of a high-quality measuring cup and spoon set. We only use stainless steel ones in our home so we can toss them in the dishwasher over and over again.

These Le Creuset ones have such a beautiful weight to them, they’re a massive upgrade to any basic kitchen.

Magic Soap:

To pull in the stainless steel finish again, and give a little non-spillable-self-care in the package, this magic soap helps remove odors like garlic, onion, and fish from hands!

Beeswax Freshwrap:

Help someone be a little more eco friendly by removing plastic from their kitchen. We’ve used beeswax wrap for years to cover everything from cheese to avocados to leftovers. It’s compostable, US-made, and can be used over and over again.

Swedish Dish Cloth:

Just like the Freshwrap, this dishcloth is a great way to cut down on waste in the kitchen. I use mine to pick up little spills throughout the cooking process, then give it a rinse (or throw it in the dishwasher), ring it out, and use it again!

6. Include something interactive.

If you’re getting together on Zoom or Facetime, or just want to encourage a little fun, add in a small game. These Forager cards hit the nail on the head since they can be used like a traditional deck of cards, but also have other games you can play while teaching you an educational-food-centric bit of knowledge that pays tribute to nature.

7. Add a seasonal element.

Consider adding dried flowers or grasses as part of wrapping up an individual item, or pinning it to the basket.

8. Consider a personal touch.

Add a handwritten note, a recipe card for your signature dish during that holiday, or even a drawing from the kids for that warm fuzzy feeling.

These holidays aren’t worse or better, they just are. Find a way to embrace what feels different and rise to the challenge of spreading cheer this season!

The post 8 Tips for Sending a “Together Apart” Holiday Package appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Here are some reusable kitchen items that you can switch it up with!

Reusable Brown Paper Bags

We are all familiar with the sack lunch look: the classic brown paper bag! Easy but not very reusable. Well, this Out of the Woods brown paper bag gives you that same easy casual look but is fully insulated and reusable. But just be careful not to leave it in the lunchroom! Someone might just toss it because it looks so much like the real thing.

Reusable Silicone Bags

These bags come in different sizes and are the perfect alternative to large and small plastic baggies! Stasher bags are endlessly reusable. They not only can be used for snacks, fresh fruits, and even makeup and toiletries for travel! Stasher bags are also dishwasher safe and hypoallergenic too. In my kitchen, I keep spice, coconut, and all other types of things in them. I love the stand-up ones!

Silicone Straws

Another swap you can make in your kitchen is with straws. If you love to sip a soda or iced coffee with a straw each day, why not change to these silicone tip stainless steel straws from Manna Hydration? Keep some in a drawer near your drinks for easy access. These even come with their own straw brush for easy cleaning. I carry one in my purse if I need one for my to-go drink.

Glass Storage

If you have a drawer full of plastic containers that have mismatched tops and lost bottoms, making the switch to glass food storage should be your next move. This Martha Stewart Collection Glass Storage Set and Luminarc Working Glasses are great for overflow pantry dry goods.

Here in our cabinet, we used our glass storage for just that, but you can also use these for dinner leftovers or even smoothies that can be stored in the fridge.

Food Huggers

Another affordable and sustainable option for reusable kitchen products are these adorable food huggers. You can use them for that half of lemon, avocado, or even onion that you sometimes need to wrap in foil to keep from spoiling. Purchase the Farberware Food Huggers and you can see how many different items you can hug and protect.

Bee’s Wrap

Bee’s Wrap is another great alternative to sandwich baggies and other throw-away items. Bee’s Wrap is certified organic cotton that’s coated with sustainably sourced beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin. So it’s a natural way to store food! No need to worry about chemicals! It’s a flexible material that wraps and covers just about anything that needs to be saved. They are also washable and fully biodegradable.

Hopefully, you got some great ideas on how to make an easy switch to reusable items in your kitchen! Who knew there were so many options?!

The post Reusable Kitchen Items to Help You Save Money (and the Planet) appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Here is a list of small kitchen appliances we think would make a great addition to your kitchen.

Mixer

No matter if it’s a hand mixer or a stand mixer, a mixer is a product that you’ll need to make your baking life much easier!

I mean once you need to make more than one batch of anything, your shoulders and arms will thank you for this machine.

Blender

Smoothies, butters, sauces, soups, pancakes, and even lemonade – a full-size blender can be another great pick for your kitchen. If you’re looking to turn something into a liquid form, then a blender is the perfect appliance for you.

Waffle Maker

You need a waffle maker in your kitchen because it’s the only way to make a waffle! You can griddle pancakes and eggs, but with waffles, you need a specialty appliance.

Toaster Oven

Another versatile small appliance you can use in the kitchen is a toaster oven. Often used as a second oven, a toaster oven can be a great assistant to someone who is constantly in the kitchen or serving a big family.

This toaster oven by Gourmia has a multi-function feature and is also an air fryer! I love it when one appliance packs a lot into one machine. From frozen meals to fresh cookies, a toaster oven will be a great addition to a kitchen with a lot of movement and activity.

Multicooker

I think this small appliance that has really made its’ mark over the last 10 years or so is the multicooker! A slow cooker, pressure cooker, and sometimes up to 7 other functions in one pot, the multicooker is a kitchen workhorse. There are so many on the market right now. It can save you time and also counter space by combining so many functions.

Check out some of our favorite multicooker recipes.

Toaster

I don’t think I’ve met a kitchen without a toaster and there’s a good reason; it’s loved by so many! From toasting toast to defrosting waffles, a toaster makes your morning routine go smoothly. Nothing is better than a toaster you know well. You can choose one with easy-to-control settings and also one that satisfies how many slices you need to toast at a time. A good toaster is a personal pick.

This one by All-Clad is a gorgeous addition to any kitchen and includes some pretty awesome features like extra-wide slots, countdown timers, and a high lift lever so you won’t burn your fingers!

Immersion Blender

Another appliance to have on hand is an immersion blender. It’s a tool that’s used for blending soups, sauces, and other liquids. It’s a lot quicker to use than a full blender and perfect for those who have a smaller kitchen or don’t find themselves with a need for a full-size blender. It’s also great for blending hot items like soups and sauces because you don’t have to transfer out of the pot you are making it in!

Breakfast Griddle

If you have a small kitchen or you’re just starting out, this fun individual griddle from Holstein might be your best friend. You can grill one egg and even one pancake for your morning breakfast! Pair it with your favorite coffee or juice and you’ve got yourself a full meal!

Bread Maker

There was a big increase in bread makers purchased in the last 6 months while we were all adjusting to our life at home. So that lets us know people actually enjoy making bread at home. This Hamilton Beach bread maker makes even the novice bread maker look good. It’s easy to use and even has a viewing window so you can watch your bread rise!

Check out our Breadmaking for the Beginner!

The post 9 Must-Have Small Kitchen Appliances appeared first on The Inspired Home.

1. Bath Towels

Every bathroom needs a set of bath towels. A set of 6-10 towels is a perfect start. This should include bath towels/sheets, hand towels, and washcloths. Fast-drying towels are great for reducing odor and mildew and Everplush towels do just that. They feel like cotton, but perform like microfiber and dry quickly. Plus, they last longer than regular cotton towels. I’ve had mine for almost two years and they still look and feel great.

2. Shower Curtain

When choosing your shower curtain, make sure you choose something that goes with your style and something that is functional. Every shower curtain should have a liner. The liner sits on the inside of your shower so that no water leaks out; the other side gives you privacy while you take a shower. Use shower curtain hooks to add even more detail to your curtains.

3. Hand Soap

On your bathroom counter, you will need to have soap for washing your hands. You can use a dispenser to match your décor, your favorite seasonal scent, or even a battery-operated or rechargeable soap dispenser. If you’re sharing your bathroom with guests instead of having one guest towel, use disposable guest towels you can throw in the trash.

4. Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Whether you choose to store it under the sink or behind the toilet, the toilet bowl cleaner is another essential you can’t live without. This toilet brush from Joseph Joseph is both stylish and functional. You can store your cleaner right below your sink for even more convenience. Along with a toilet bowl cleaner, you should also store a plunger.

5. Storage

If this is your first bathroom, odds are that it is going to be on the small side, so storage is very important. Use wall space, rolling bins, or the space under the sink to store makeup, shampoo, etc. Keeping things stored away helps the bathroom remain uncluttered.

6. Poo-Pourri

Poo-Pourri is becoming more and more of a genius essential for every bathroom. Help guests hide embarrassing moments by leaving out a bottle or two of Poo-Pourri. This stuff REALLY works, friends. Just spray it in the toilet before you go and the essential oils make a barrier so that the smell is canceled. Keep it right next to or behind the toilet for easy access.

7. Trash Can

Every bathroom should have a trash can as well. This trash from TOWNEW changes and seals itself. Once it’s full, you simply press a button to have it self-seal the bag and then auto-line the bin with a new one. Pretty cool and pretty sanitary! It fits perfectly in a small bathroom.

8. Something You Love

Lastly, make sure your bathroom has something you love. Whether it’s a bath mat in your favorite color, a funny piece of art, or a vase full of fresh flowers. Having something you love in your bathroom will always give it that personal touch.

The post 8 Things Every Bathroom Needs appeared first on The Inspired Home.

I love a good list, so here’s a list of essentials if you are just starting out. Remember you can add to this list depending on the level of cooking you do and the number of people you are cooking for. Some kitchens allow for more storage while others need more compact solutions!

1. Stainless Steel Cookware

If you are looking for a cookware set in a stainless steel finish, this cookware set from CookCraft (in collaboration with Candace Cameron!) is perfect.

The large saucepan is a favorite of mine around dinnertime. Cooking for a family of five ( with two teen boys) I need larger portions on most days and I love to make one-pot meals. The 13-inch french skillet is also a perfect size. But what I love most about this set is the lid. It conveniently rests on the side of the pan! Such a simple solution and make the process of cooking so much easier.

2. Non-Stick Cookware

Bialetti is dedicated to making some real good cookware. The Titan Nonstick collection has a titanium-reinforced nonstick surface for easy cleaning. Like SUPER easy cleaning. It has micro-divots to allow the oil to distribute evenly for better cooking. Perfect for eggs in the morning!

3. Non-Stick Griddle

Speaking of non-stick having a good griddle in your kitchen can be a lifesaver on Saturday morning when it’s time to make pancakes and french toast! This Emeril Lagasse griddle is dishwasher safe and fits right over your double burners. You can also sear meats like steak, or cook hamburgers on it for dinner. This griddle can also go from the stovetop to the oven without missing a beat!

4. Silicone Utensils

Start off with a set of silicone utensils that will help with all the stirring and flipping. This GIR utensil set comes with 7 different tools in several different colors which makes it super fun! Match them to your own kitchen aesthetic. These award-winning tools will be a BIG upgrade in your kitchen. They are easy to clean, heat resistant up to 550 degrees, and are dishwasher, stain, odor, and microbe-resistant.

5. Great Knife Set

A good knife set is essential to a functioning kitchen. You can’t do much without them, and investing in a good set will save you money in the long run.

These knives from Cangshan have a good design (beautiful pearl finish), are handcrafted, and boast heat-treated blades with premier steel. What does that mean? It means you will have a professional chef experience right in your own home. Store them in this walnut block or in your own knife drawer. Either way, a good knife set should just reach away in your kitchen.

6. Hand Juicer

A hand juicer is a great tool to have when a recipe or cocktail calls for a fresh cup of lemon juice. What we love about this juicer from Verve Culture is the artisan handmade aesthetic. Plus it’s made with 100% recycled materials in Mexico by hand!

7. Zester

This is another tool you don’t know you need until you don’t have it. We all know we can use a zester to grate our favorite citruses like oranges and lemons. But you can also use a zester to grate spices like nutmeg and fresh foods like garlic and ginger. Plus you can make fresh powders from chilis. This Microplane zester/grater is durable and dishwasher-safe, which makes it an easy addition to your busy life.

8. Non-Stick Kitchen Mat

This Chef’s Planet kitchen mat is perfect for turning and kneading dough, but it can also be cut to size to fit your favorite baking sheets. It’s reusable so you can wash it as many times as you want.

9. Baking Sheets

We all need a good set of baking sheets. Especially for cookies. I love using Chicago Metallic’s baking sheets! They are uncoated and easy to clean. Plus they have a fun line of specialty pans like the Lasagna Trio Bread Loaf Pan!

10. Cutting Boards

Make sure you have a few good cutting boards. One for cutting veggies and fruits and one for cutting raw meat. This space-saving set by Joseph Joseph features boards all color-coordinated for different uses. The design is really neat because it looks like a filing system that could pass in an office. This set comes in black, gold, and silver finishes. These are perfect in a modern setting and small spaces.

11. Salad Spinner

If you are a salad lover or find yourself eating salad multiple times a week, a salad spinner is a must. This salad spinner by Household Essentials is easy to use and works with hot foods like pasta as well. It has a self-winding drawstring spinner that spins one direction then the other, so your salad is even drier!

12. Colander

Another great essential is a colander. Great for rinse fruit and veggies before and after you cut them. This colander from Good Cook has a great price point and gets the job done time after time.

13. Storage Canisters

Store small items like rice and coffee in these Honey-Can-Do canisters. I love the acacia wood tops, and they fit perfectly in a small kitchen or in a cabinet!

14. Reusable Storage Bags

We love to use sustainable materials in our homes. Over the years silicone storage bags have become very popular! Using items like Stasher Bags helps with waste and also space in your home. These bags can be used for hot and cold items and are also a dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe.

15. Stand Mixer

I can’t live without my handy stand mixer. It is so versatile and quickly whips together anything from cake batter to mashed potatoes.

16. MultiCooker

If you don’t have a lot of room to work with, I recommended investing in a multicooker with multiple features like a slow cooker and rice cooker all in one. This way, all of your chef needs are met and you save space at the same time.

The post 16 Kitchen Essentials You Need to Bring Out Your Inner Chef appeared first on The Inspired Home.

A few years ago I showed you how to make some heart-shaped waffles for your kids in the morning! This year, you can surprise your little ones with a cake pop maker! You can gift this to the baker in the family or you can make a batch yourself. Either way, cake pops are always a treat and there is no easier way to make them. Babycakes Cake Pop Maker comes ready to go. All you need is your favorite cake recipe and your ready to start!

If you have a child who loves to write, a small little package featuring a chunky note pad with some heart-shaped erasers are the perfect touch. The notepad comes with a set of pencils and an insane amount of paper so they can write and draw there little hearts away.

These cute heart-shaped erasers are perfect for the classroom or cousins and friends! Plus the smell just like roses! The perfect scent for Valentine’s Day!

If you want something a little more grown-up, Kate Spade is the way to go. We love how our friends at Lenox have some great heirloom quality gifts ideas. This keepsake box is perfect for a little girl who’s growing up. She can keep special pieces of jewelry safe and it looks great on her nightstand or vanity area.

If you want to gift something 100% functional, Precidio Design is making the water bottle industry FUN! These innovative bottles are shaped just like a traditional juice box and come in a few different sizes.

They also have a matching snack box so your kids can load up between school and practice. For Valentine’s Day, you can fill it up with some tasty hearts!

Another great gift idea for any kid who has a sweet tooth is to fill up a themed tumbler with some of their favorite treats. I love this conversation hearts tumbler from Cool Gear SO much! It’s great to take to school, to the park or on a playdate. They also have a few other options in a rose print and one that says, LOVE!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The post Cute Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids appeared first on The Inspired Home.

There is nothing quite like opening (or sabering?!) a great bottle of champagne for a holiday.

To be honest, I’ve never met champagne I didn’t like. They all make me feel warm, bubbly and give me an undeniable celebratory feeling. It’s one thing to pour a glass of wine, but there is a natural excitement in the air when champagne is popped.

Besides tequila (we all know I love a good marg), champagne is my second favorite drink and I LOVE stocking up for any holidays. If you’ve got a fellow champagne enthusiast in your life I have rounded out my top favorite great gifts for a champagne lover. Pair each of these gift guide selections with a bottle of bubbly and you’ll have yourself a winning gift.

Good Gifts for Champagne Lovers:

Champagne Saber

On the top of my list and the most unique is a champagne saber. Nothing says party time quite like opening a bottle of champagne with a saber. If you’ve got someone that’s adventurous or an entertainer I couldn’t recommend one of these enough! This saber from Viski makes me feel like a champagne samurai. It has a detailed handle and an epic gold blade.

Be sure to hold the bottle at the base and stroke the neck of the wine bottle in a clean, upwards motion when cutting. This how-to use a champagne saber video was incredibly informative.

Wine Cellar

If you’re looking to go all out, a wine cellar is your item. A true champagne lover always has a bottle or two chilling in the fridge just in case a good moment comes through on any random day. A wine fridge is great for storing your collection and keeping each bottle temperature controlled. This Kalorik cellar is great because you can control the top and bottom levels of the cellar at a different temperature.

Champagne Coupes

My favorite way to drink champagne is with a wide coupe glass. They feel a bit fancier than flutes and work wonders for building a champagne tower (a New Year’s classic!).

Champagne Flutes

A champagne flute is a practical, everyday glass for champagne. A total necessity if you’re having champagne on the regular. They come in a ton of variety of stem-less and stemmed flutes.

Champagne

Each of these items paired with a bottle of bubbly makes for a perfect gift package. My go-to champagne selections for all budgets:

• Fancy: Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Laurent-Perrier
• The Sweet Spot: La Marca Prosecco, Moët & Chandon, Crémant
• Affordable and delicious: Trader Joes Champagne, Korbel, Barefoot

Bubbles Book

Fellow contributor for The Inspired Home, Colleen Jeffers, recently wrote the most darling book of champagne cocktails, called ‘Bubbles’. The book is filled with recipes that all include champagne and easy, attainable ingredients for fancy champagne cocktails. It’s going to be on my bar cart all season long and makes for a perfect champagne lover gift.

Resealable Champagne Cork

While I’m all for finishing the bottle, if you can’t finish, a cork stopper is a great option. It seals in the carbonation and keeps your champagne fresher once opened.

Ice Bucket

A nice ice bucket is a champagne must. This Kraftware brass ice bucket is chic and holes up to three quarts of ice for a crisp sip every time.

The post 8 Amazing Gifts for Champagne Lovers appeared first on The Inspired Home.

I’ve rounded up my favorite, must-have baking tool essentials to get you through that important birthday cake you have to make for your father-in-law, your kid’s brownies for the bake sale, or just your standard gingerbread cookies for Christmas. Each one of these essentials will make your time in the kitchen that much easier.

Best Tools for Baking:

Stand Mixer

If there is one item that will save you time and sanity over and over again, it’s a stand mixer. With a paddle, whisk, and dough hook, it surely does it all with the touch of a button. My Smeg stand mixer is one of the chicest appliances in my kitchen. It’s outfitted with a 5-quart bowl and 10 variable speeds for all your baking needs.

Mixing Bowls

By the time I’m finished baking I usually having mixing bowls EVERYWHERE. Most baking ingredients call for a bowl for wet ingredients and a bowl for dry so I always have a ton of mixing bowls handy.

These stainless steel bowls from Nucu are great for baking steps and separating your dry and wet ingredients, and the Mason Cash tilted ceramic bowl is beyond versatile for any baking recipe when it comes to mixing. Mason Cash also makes the handiest spoon and jar scraper that is the perfect match to the tilted ceramic bowl.

Kitchen Scale

If you want to be really precise or bake with a lot of recipes that use gram measurements, be sure to get yourself a kitchen scale. A kitchen scale is the most accurate form of measuring ingredients. This Kalorik kitchen scale can handle up to 20 lbs of weight and displays weight in lb, oz, g, and mL.

Baking Sheet/Cooling Rack

Chances are high that if you’re baking, you’re going to be either baking something on a baking sheet or cooling something on a cooling rack. It’s just the facts, okay?! So make sure you’ve got a great sturdy baking sheet/cooling rack set. Bonus points if you’re using a reusable non-stick silicone bake mat.

Piping Bag

If you plan to do a bit of cake and cookie decorating a great piping bag set is essential. Jamie Oliver makes a sturdy design that is great for all different kinds of piping.

Cookie Cutters

I’ve got an abundance amount of cookie cutters but I have found that a round set is the most versatile. They work wonderfully for cookies but I also use them for pie dough designs, puff pastry shapes, and mini pizzas.

Sugar Shaker

If you want an easy and gorgeous topping for naked cakes, cookies and waffles grab yourself a sugar shaker. This fine mesh strainer shaker by RSVP will make all your treats look like they are dusted with snow.

Copper Saucepan

If you’re going to be taking caramel/candy making seriously then a copper pot is great to have around. Not only does it heat up very quickly, it evenly disperses heat and cools down even faster.

Thermometer

While a copper pot is great for candy and caramel making, a thermometer is non-negotiable. Most recipes for candy and caramel making instruct you to bring your batch up to a certain temperature and this is done with a liquid thermometer. This also works great for deep-frying!

Liquid Measuring Cups & Dry Measuring Cups

I probably use my liquid measuring cups at least every other day in the kitchen. From sweet to savory recipes, liquid measuring cups are the epitome of essentials. These OXO ones are great because they display all your measurements on the outside and the inside of the cups.

This might be beyond ‘basics’ but liquid and dry measurements require different cups. Be sure to get yourself a sturdy set of dry measuring cups in odd and even sets.

Check out these other quick references to make sure your kitchen has the essential tools to make cooking and baking a breeze:

• Here are some more baking tools we recommend for every kitchen.
• Here’s a quick reference guide to which knives to use in your kitchen.
• If you have a passion for cooking, this guide for the best tools every chef needs is just for you!

The post Must-Have Baking Tool Essentials to Make Your Life Easier appeared first on The Inspired Home.

You need a sous vide machine if you’re the person who wants to save time in the kitchen. Cooking sous vide can help you break free from just Crock-Pot or Instant Pot recipes. It also gives you ultimate precision while cooking.

We’ve had a sous vide immersion circulator for years now and it’s saved us a ton of money and time. No one can cook a steak as good as we can anymore and we no longer stand around stirring custard like a crazy person.

A sous vide machine has also let us batch-make intenselt custom-flavored cocktails (tomato vine vodka anyone?). Did I mention we can do it in an hour? No more waiting around for weeks for flavor to infuse.

Sous Vide Is a Simple Cooking Method

So what is sous vide? It’s a cooking method in where an item, be it steak or fish, carrot or alcohol, is placed in a bag or container and dropped into a water bath. This water bath is kept at a precise temperature by the machine that both regulates heat and moves the water around the item.

The machine that makes this magic happen is a slender cylinder that can be clamped onto a variety of vessels including a cooler, stockpot, or large restaurant tub (our method of choice).

Benefits

1. It’s Easy

One benefit of a tool that closely regulates temperature without you having to do anything (besides pick the temperature and drop the sealed item into the water), is you end up with precisely cooked items while you go off and accomplish other things. Steak is the food that sealed the deal for us in our love triangle with the sous vide machine. It was perfectly cooked and no grey line around the outside and it cost us a fraction of a restaurant price. And we could eat at home with our cats without annoying people.

2. It’s Quick

If you’ve really got your act together, there are entire systems to batch cook multiple proteins in separate vessels at a time. That means you have dinner and lunch prepped for the week in a variety of different flavors (throw thyme in that chicken bag and rosemary garlic in with the steaks and chili with the carrots!).

With the steak, you’ll just need two minutes of a quick sear and you’ve got perfection on a plate. If you’re not sure what to make, Anova (one of the sous vide machine producers) has a ton of recipes to get you started on their website. There are also specialty websites and publications like Sous Vide magazine.

Sous Vide Salmon

In this first recipe, you’ll see how to perfectly cook salmon using plastic-free, silicone Stasher bags. Stasher bags are not only useful for sous vide cooking, but you can freeze them, throw them in the oven, and wash them in the dishwasher. They’re reusable and come in tons of sizes and colors (including a free-standing shape that’s great for storing dry goods or bulk shopping with your own container.

Print

Sous Vide Salmon

Course Lunch & Dinner Recipes

Keyword Dinner, Lunch, Sous vide

Skill intermediate

Servings 1

You Can Prep Cocktails & Beverages Too!

If you’re a cocktail and beverage fan, especially if you’re putting the effort into making your own recipes and drinks for friends and family, it’s worth looking at your ice. Clear ice melts more slowly than standard cloudy ice, meaning drinks are less watered down during consumption and maintain a cold temperature longer.

Cloudy ice from standard freezers or purchased bags of ice is the result of trapped air. While you can make clear ice at home by hacking an insulated cooler of some kind to fit into your freezer to promote directional freezing, it takes a long time and creates only a small batch. Trust me, it’s not worth it if you want to make enough for several drinks. I know because we did this when we were photographing our drink book and it was a huge pain.

The NewAir countertop clear ice maker is perfect for parties or home bars. Ice is produced quickly (only 20 minutes or so to get the first batch!). There’s no intense set up. Just plug it in and fill the water reserve.

Spiced Parsnip Rum

In this second recipe, we’ll make a batch cocktail (dram style) that’s perfect for cooler weather. It infuses tons of spices and two surprising ingredients into a well-priced white rum to make an astounding drink in under two hours (not two weeks!).

Secret ingredient number one? Parsnips! Parsnips are sweet and nutty and look like carrots. They’re a great way to add a rich flavor that’s comforting (think Christmas dinner). Unfortunately, I don’t think it counts as a serving of vegetables.

Print

Spiced Parsnip Rum

Course Drinks & Cocktails

Keyword Cocktails and spirits, Drinks

Skill intermediate

Servings 1

Check out these other delicious sous vide recipes:

Sous Vide Steak and Vegetables

Asian Short Ribs

Sous Vide Fig & Vanilla Syrup (for Cocktails)

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