Top 5 Must-Have Kitchen Tools

You don’t need a kitchen full of expensive gadgets to start cooking more healthful.

Here are our top kitchen tool picks for making heart-healthy meals simple on a budget:

1. 厨师的刀 – If you can only afford one kitchen knife, this is the one to own. 这把大刀, 8英寸或10英寸都行, can chop tough cuts of meat but also slice through a delicate tomato. You’ll save big bucks buying whole 蔬菜 和 fruits versus expensive precut packaged produce.
   
   作为你的 刀的技能 改善, try buying a whole chicken to cut up the legs, 乳房, wings 和 other pieces on your own – another big money saver. Always wash your knife really well after using, especially if cutting raw meat 和 then 蔬菜. And keep your knife sharp to make prep work simple 和 safe; a very sharp knife is actually much safer than a dull knife.
    
2. 温度计, 如果你烹饪肉类, 家禽或鱼类, a food thermometer is a must-have tool because eating healthy also means eating safe. 烹饪 food to the right internal temperatures helps prevent the spread of illnesses caused by contaminated food.
   
   It’s also wise to buy inexpensive refrigerator 和 freezer thermometers to make sure that the fridge is cooling (below 40 degrees) 和 the freezer is freezing (0 degrees or below.) Not only is this a smart practice when it comes to food safety, but correct temperatures will help keep your food fresher for longer periods of time.
    
3. 烤盘—— This heavy duty baking tray with an edge is perfect for 烤 蔬菜. Since roasted veggies take on sweet, 烟熏香, you’ll want to eat 蔬菜 more often. Just toss chopped up cauliflower, 胡萝卜, onions or other veggies with a little bit of olive oil 和 your favorite herbs 和 let the oven do the rest.
    
4. 滤器。 This inexpensive strainer, some with feet, can be used for many things. 通常是为了沥干意大利面, use your col和er to drain 和 rinse canned beans, a process that removes even more of the sodium. Use it to wash 和 pat dry delicate fresh fruits 和 蔬菜, like berries 和 lettuce. You can even place a metal col和er into a large pot filled halfway with water 和 use to steam 蔬菜 or fish. Do not put a metal col和er in a nonstick pot because the metal can damage the nonstick surface.
    
5. 厨钳—— Many cooks think of tongs an extension of their h和s while cooking. You can use tong for many things in the kitchen including stir frying or sautéing; tossing a salad; removing corn on the cob or pasta from boiling water; h和ling baked potatoes; or turning hot trays in the oven. Who couldn’t use an extra pair of h和s in the kitchen?