Let’s face it, cooking isn’t for everyone. Whether it’s the number of steps for a recipe or the prep time that turns you away from the kitchen, the reality is that it won’t always turn out the way you want if you don’t know what you’re doing.

While the estimated prep and cooking time might say 30 minutes, you’ll always know that somehow your amateur skills will add at least 15 more minutes. The wonderful thing about cooking, however, is that while the principles might never change, the way you get to the final step in the recipe does.

There are thousands of ways to cook better, chop better, and make your life easier in the kitchen. Our expert Chefs have tried and tested different methods and techniques used by all kinds of cooks and now they’re bringing their extensive experience and knowledge to you.

Like Chef Matthew Ridgway who’s worked in numerous fine dining restaurants across the U.S. and France, or Chef Daniella Malfitano who travels throughout the U.S. attending speaking engagements, hosting appearances, educational workshops, and demos around culinary. From cutting heating time in half to using one tool to make it all, these are the kitchen must-haves our Pros recommend to every chef and home cook.

Cook to Perfection

If you are looking to cook meat thoroughly, there are two ways that our expert chefs like to make sure everything is cooked to perfection. Using traditional cooking equipment like a stove, oven or grill can be time-consuming and if you don’t know what to look for, creating a consistent cook can be difficult. It’s one of the many reasons that Chef Derrick Reed has turned to the Anova Sous Vide to cook dishes like salmon, steak, chicken.

Sous Vide is a cooking technique used by restaurant chefs since the 90s that enables precise temperature control. Anova Culinary has taken that technique and made it accessible for home cooks as well. Basically, you never have to worry about overcooked, dry food ever again. To make your life easy, the Anova Sous Vide comes with an app that lets you cook and monitor the process wherever you are. All you need to do is fill a large pot with water, seal the food you want to cook in a bag, place it inside the pot, and select the temperature and time on the app. If you don’t know where to start, the app also comes with delicious recipes that can be used with your Sous Vide.

If you’re looking for another way to cook meat to perfection, you can never go wrong with a classic dutch oven. While it won’t speed up the cooking process, you’re guaranteed to not mess up a dish. There are many brands to choose from, but Chef Matthew Ridgway will always recommend Le Creuset’s Signature Dutch Oven. It’s the lightest weight cast iron by quart on the market. It also takes away the need to constantly watch your food as it cooks because the cast-iron evenly heats and seals in moisture every time. Seriously. Every time.

Dutch Ovens have had a place in Chef Matthew’s life since he was a child and it's cookware that he still uses and trusts to this day. You can use Le Creuset’s Signature Dutch Oven for slow-cooking, braising, and roasting. It also comes in several sizes and colors so that you can really make it your own. Sports fans can even showcase their team spirit with these Le Creuset Limited Edition MLB Signature Series Dutch Ovens.

Blend, Chop, and Slice Those Veggies like a Pro

The amount of time it takes to prep the ingredients for a dish can really add up if you’re not always sure about what you’re doing. But let's be real, not everyone has time for that.

While you work on your knife skills, Chef Derrick Reed recommends the Black & Decker FusionBlade Blender to help you in the meantime. From mixing and chopping to blending and pureeing, this blender will always get any job done quickly and efficiently.

It’s the only blender Chef Derrick uses because it helps him cut downtime spent prepping ingredients for his dishes. You can use it to chop veggies one second and puree the next. The safety feature allows you to cook without worry and the retractable cord means an easy clean-up when you’re done. Chef Derrick loves the Black + Decker FusionBlade Blender so much that he not only uses it while making private meals for clients but also owns one at home for himself. It’s easy to clean and is still going strong after a few years.

Using a blender isn’t the only way to speed up the chopping process. Chef Matthew Ridgway utilizes his Benriner Mandoline Slicer whenever he can. Mandoline slicers are definitely not a new idea but the Benriner is a huge favorite among chefs because it offers the best of Japanese design and everyday practicality. Featuring four interchangeable double-edge blades, the Benriner Mandoline Slicer allows you to cut and slice exactly the way you want. The next time you’re about to chop some onions, try using Chef Matthew’s tips for slicing the perfect pieces in his how-to here.

You never have to spend an extra 10 minutes chopping up ingredients for your next dish ever again. Plus, it’s small and compact making it easy to store wherever you want.

Getting Rid of Unnecessary Products

Speaking of storage, do you ever get sold on kitchen gadgets? From waffle makers, panini presses, to electric egg cookers. And more seriously, how many times do you actually use it? Instead of wasting space in your kitchen, our Pros recommend products that can do it all in one.

Chef Daniella Malfitano is a pro in the kitchen not just because she makes the best vegan recipes, but because she really knows the best products that have multiple functionalities. Have you heard of the Dash Compact Skillet? It can make eggs, cookies, pancakes, grilled cheese, burgers, quesadillas, and even stir fry. This skillet eliminates the need for multiple pots and pans. As a chef who often works with kids, Daniella also loves the Dash Compact Skillet because it’s easy to use and heats up quickly. It completely takes away the need to be in front of the stove. So lets Marie Kondo your kitchen and get rid of the unnecessary products you have.

Another product Chef Daniella recommends to make your life easier is the Vremi 13-Piece Kitchen Set. Everything in the set can be stored in the largest mixing bowl when not in use. Not only does it come with several bowls, but it also comes with measuring cups and spoons that can be stacked together as well. Move over storage space. Literally.

Whether it’s cooking meat to perfection, prepping your vegetables, or creating more space in your kitchen, it should never feel like a chore when it comes to creating your favorite dishes. Through access to their hard-won wisdom and advice, our Pros recommend the best techniques to make life in the kitchen a lot more enjoyable. It’s finally time to say goodbye to kitchen anxiety.

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