The 12 Life-Changing Products Your Kitchen Is Missing
by The Candidly Team
In our exhaustive pursuit of making sure we have all the right things to make us happy in this one life we’re given, we have identified these 12 products that have profoundly changed our culinary world for the better.
1. Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, $7
These slightly wet, flaky salt crystals will shatter in your mouth with mild, crunchy, saline brightness. And they will breathe new life into every dish you make.
Find out more about why we love it here.
2. Bee House ZERO JAPAN Salt Box, $26
Apart from the minimal design that elevates any kitchen, the genius in this salt box lies in its lid. While most salt cellars have lids you have to take on and off, this one, you just flick it up, and it stays up.
And having a one-handed salt moment can be the determining factor in serving the greatest brunch anyone’s ever had, or having to throw everything out, start fresh, and swear a lot.
Plus. Guys. It comes in so many cute colors.
Find out more about why we love it here.
3. Heilala Pure Vanilla Bean Paste, $12
Like freshly squeezed orange juice compared to regular orange juice, the difference in flavor between this paste and bottled vanilla extract is s t a g g e r i n g.
One teaspoon is the equivalent of one, whole vanilla bean, but so much cheaper. And so much easier.
If you’re a baker, this will change your baking game. If you don’t bake, you might just want to start.
Find out more about why we love it here.
4. AeroGarden Indoor Hydroponic Garden, $80
When we say you need zero skills to create a BOUNTIFUL indoor herb garden, it’s an understatement.
You can basically all but IGNORE this indoor garden and still, it will produce lovely, fresh herbs all year round. Which is really the secret to making food that tastes like you know what you’re doing.
Find out more about why we love it here.
5. Rao’s Marinara Sauce, $24 for a 2-pack
First, it contains no sugar, and no crap.
And second, it’s delicious. Tomato-forward with just enough aromatics and herbs to make it interesting, it’s also simple enough to be a great base if you want to zhoozh it up with mushrooms or peppers or other spices. Not that it needs any of that. It’s perfect as is.
Find out more about why we love it here.
6. Paper and Pear Store Modern Spice Labels, $10
Most of our Pinterest boards are just photo after photo of simple mason jars, all facing the same direction, lit like glowing angels, their glass bellies filled with various spices and accoutrements, all of them holding the promise for us to become better cooks, better people.
And these labels complete that picture. Every time you open your spice drawer, or gaze upon your pantry shelves, these labels softly whisper:
“If your kitchen can be this organized, you can fucking do anything.”
And the truth is, they’re right.
Find out more about why we love it here.
7. Our Place Perfect Pot, $165
A beautiful pot that boils, bakes, fries, and stews. She’s a beaut. She’s worth it. You’ll legitimately cook more. And you’ll use this pot for the rest of your natural life. Plus, it’s lightweight and non-stick, so you won’t break your back trying to scrub out obnoxious oil stains.
8. Global G2 8-inch Chef knife, $120
A secret: you don’t need a knife block to be low-key profesh in the kitchen.
You know what you need? One good knife.
And this is that one good knife. Comfortable in the hand with its unique dimpled grip. Retains sharpness for an impossibly long time. Not so long that it becomes unwieldy. Not too small that you can’t put some real heft into cubing up that butternut squash.
Find out more about why we love it here.
9. Kosterina Balsamic Vinegar, $20
Made from grapes in Modena, Italy, this balsamic is rich, lightly acidic, softly sweet, sort of thick, and brings almost any tomato to life. The unctuous mouth-feel instantly reveals itself as a more elevated vinegar, and yet any cloying aftertaste is blessedly absent. When used on salads, it’s so full of flavor that we found ourselves skipping olive oil altogether. (!!)
Does it help that the bottle is stunning? Sure it helps. But that’s just icing on the cake.
Find out more about why we love it here.
10. Frankie’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $37
There is something so unique and peppery and beautifully pungent about the taste of this olive oil, that it almost always becomes a talking point at any dinner party, through our own anecdotal (yet vast) experience.
For dressings, a lovely drizzle over pasta, or even just with a gigantic, crusty chunk of bread, this olive oil is special and memorable, and will elevate your cooking confidence, whether you’re a beginner or a gourmand.
Find out more about why we love it here.
11. Fox Run Flat Coil Whisk, $9
Guys. This whisk. Such an amazing little tool for emulsifying your salad dressings and especially for the fluffiest, whipped, scrambled eggs.
Oh, and it’s $7. And on Amazon. PRIME. So. Ya know. Ps: We like to buy like 20 at a time for the greatest last-minute-shit-what-do-we-bring-as-a-gift treat.
Find out more about why we love it here.
12. Ballarini Parma Nonstick Pans, $130
With its non-stick coating and cold forged aluminum body, this pan will be your most steady, stable workhorse in the kitchen. Even if you don’t know what any of those of those things mean.
Find out more about why we love it here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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