What is your essential cooking tool?

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

Not exactly a tool or utensil, but I wouldn't want to be without disposable deli containers. I use both 8 & 16 oz sizes. They're great for pre portioning everything, and cheap so you can take it with you and not worry about bringing them back. You can buy a pack of 50 containers for about 5 and 50 lids for 3. I got my last package of them at GFS, but most any resturaunt supply place will have them.

[rhooten 2]

The hand mixer! It makes Protein Powder mix with anything! It is also great for blending bananas with a Protein shake!

[kyllfalcon 768]

A good digital scale.< /p>

[Catherine Shinn Habhab 97]

lots of good ideas!

[Catracks 865]

I like your idea of a cast Iron reversible griddle/grill. I usually buy vintage cast iron as they have been "pre-seasoned." I have 5 cast iron skillets, 2 cast iron dutch ovens, a little corn mold and a cast iron ladle. I swear by them. Best non-stick surface EVER! The one from my Great-Grandmother is 150 years old.

Also a mini 1.5 cup food processor and vintage Pyrex casserole dishes. I use them all the time and even cheese cleans off without a hitch.

Also a good set of mixing bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons ...

I collect depression era and vintage kitchen stuff. There is not much I don't have.

[pen 33]

I think you have gotten great ideas. I love to cook and have many gadgets. During the preop diet I bought an immersion blender. I got tired of washing my very old blender so much. It was the best thing during the liquid, soft food days. And I recently bought ramikens. They're perfect size for so many recipes. The muffin tins work, but they are not as easy to clean and in my situation I wouldn't need to cook a dozen.

Good luck