Mini Kitchen Makeover with Simple Kitchen Tools

Simple tools make healthy cooking easy

Preparing fresh food plays a central role in the quest for healthy eating, but if your kitchen lacks the right tools, take-out and packaged foods become too tempting to resist. Vegetables, especially, are likely to fall short. According to the CDC, nearly 9 in 10 American adults don’t get the recommended minimum amount, the equivalent of 2-3 cups daily (1 cup of leafy greens counts as a half-cup equivalent).

How can you streamline veggie prep? Chefs use high quality, razor sharp knives that can run $100 or more, but these are some inexpensive kitchen tools that let you achieve the same results.

VeggieChop

For simple salsa, guacamole, or chopped veggies, fill the bowl and pull on the handle a few times; store leftovers in the same container ($19.99).

PalmPeeler

It slides onto your middle finger and tucks into the palm for easy, nick-free peeling ($6.99).

Stalkchop

For cauliflower and broccoli, this is a simple way to remove stalks and strip florets ($7.99).

Smart Cooking

A medium-sized pot with a steamer insert and a glass lid lets you see veggie colors become more vibrant as flavors develop. To season, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on cooked veggies and sprinkle some mineral-rich sea salt, fresh ground pepper, other herbs and spices, grated parmesan, goat cheese crumbles, or vegan cheese such as Daiya Shreds (made to melt well).

Another option: Grill veggies, meat, fish, and vegan meat alternatives on an inexpensive standalone grill of the George Foreman variety ($29.99 for a 2-serving size).