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You’ve got a busy day ahead. You want to make dinner for the family, but you also need to get the kids ready for soccer practice, finish your weekly prep list at work and squeeze in time to hit the gym before heading home to catch an hour or two of sleep before getting up again to go back to work. How can you possibly fit it all in? If only there were some magical devices that would make every task easier.
Fortunately, there are! The right kitchen aids can cut your prep time in half and leave more time for what really matters: enjoying your family and resting your mind and body. Here are 5 aids that will make your life easier:
1. A Food Processor
A food processor is a must-have for every kitchen. It will make your prep tasks so much easier – and even save you money. You can make your own breadcrumbs, slice vegetables, make pesto or salsa, mince herbs, even knead dough for homemade bread. You can even make your own smoothies with a blender attachment! Food processors are incredibly versatile, but they do have their limitations.
If you’re looking to make dough or chop lots of veggies, a food processor might not be the best choice. A blender is the better option for these kinds of tasks. There are two kinds of food processors: Stand mixers and handheld. Stand mixers are larger and more efficient for big jobs, but handheld processors are best for smaller jobs. Whichever kind you choose, make sure it has a strong motor. You don’t want it to burn out while you’re making salsa!
2. Countertop Water Filters
A water filter on the countertop is a simple, but effective way to purify your drinking water. Tabletop models are small and lightweight, so they can be easily moved from one location to another. They typically use a carbon or ceramic filter to remove contaminants such as bacteria and sediment from the water. They are also able to remove fluoride and other minerals that can leach into the water.
You can also buy a countertop water filter with an in-line filter that can be attached to your faucet. This type of filter is more expensive, but it will last longer and it’s easier to clean than the other types of filters.
3. An Instant Pot
An Instant Pot is a pressure cooker that’s been massively popular in the last few years. But what can a pressure cooker do that a regular old pressure cooker can’t? A lot, actually! You can use an Instant Pot to make old-fashioned pressure-cooked dishes like dried beans, but you can also use it to sauté food, steam food, make yogurt, even make desserts! It’s basically a one-stop-shop for your kitchen needs.
The best thing about an Instant Pot is its versatility. You can use it as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, sauté pan, and even as a yogurt maker. You can also use it to make all sorts of things, like bone broth, hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal and even desserts like rice pudding. All you have to do is change the settings!
4. An Electric Steamer
If you’re trying to eat more veggies, but you’re struggling to get them on your plate because they take so long to cook, an electric steamer is just the appliance for you. You can steam a full meal of veggies in less than 10 minutes! Add some rice, beans, or other grains to your plate and you’ve got yourself a well-balanced meal in a flash.
Electric steamers are simple to use. Just add water and your veggies (or other foods, like fish or tofu) to the steamer and turn it on. You can add flavor to your food by putting herbs in the water. And cleaning your steamer is as easy as turning it off and emptying the water. No scrubbing required!
5. A Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker is a great choice if you want to make a lot of food at once, but you don’t have a lot of time to do it. A pressure cooker can cook food up to 70% faster than other cooking methods. Once you’ve got the technique down, you can make a big batch of food and eat off it all week long. You can use a pressure cooker to make everything from rice and beans to soups, stews, and even desserts.
