Essential Winter Kitchen Tools 

Ensure that your kitchen is stocked-up with these winter appliances

Winter is here and some states are experiencing extremely chilly weather, lack of sunlight and occasional snowstorms which bring in winter blues. A task which takes a backseat during challenging weather is eating well. And with nutrition and wellness being strongly connected this may spark off winter malaises which during the on-going time are a tad risky.

But the correct kitchen gadgets and tools may make the sometimes mundane and arduous task of winter cooking a smooth cakewalk! Understanding this Foodism brings for you a list of must-have winter tools and appliances ranging from air fryers to hand blenders for your kitchen.

Trust us on this – these tools are sure going to inspire you to whip up winter delicacies to win the hearts of your loved ones and keep them warm and healthy during the chill

So let’s get cracking!

IMPORTANT WINTER APPLIANCES FOR YOUR KITCHEN

Air Fryer … To satiate your winter yearnings for fried foods

This one’s a dreamboat for foodies who wish to enjoy carb-heavy foods like French fries, samosas, cutlets, mozzarella sticks, cinnamon apple chips, salmon, sweet potato, crunchy chicken wings, et al - but cut back on the oil.

Dutch Oven … A gorgeous and versatile appliance for your kitchen

Be it baking your own bread, simmering a healthy stew or braising meat all these tasks and many more can be smoothly tackled by this kitchen workhorse. Add to this its durability, versatility, and simplicity … and you have the perfect kitchen tool to combat the unpredictable winter weather 

French Press … For those who can’t survive without their caffeine shots!

This one’s a mandate for the coffee buffs and an added bonus is the chic and attractive hue that they lend to your kitchen

Immersion Blender … A must for preparing sauces, purees and blending soups and curries

This tool is a preparatory one. So stick/immersion/hand blenders are an absolute mandate for kitchens which have on their menu soups, pesto, curries, sauces and purees

Indoor Grill … Don’t give up your barbecue! 

When winter strikes, the human body craves for a barbecue but not in the backyard but rather in the cosy comfort of one’s house. It’s now that one truly values a quality indoor grill that provides high sear to lock in that incredible flavour to a blissful barbeque. 

Instant Pot … For easy, quick meals

This appliance is for those lazy bums whose hands dread cooking but yet their stomachs crave for heart-cockling stews and curries. Go ahead and prepare your meals in flat 20 minutes instead of an hour. And some brands have a plethora of settings right from steaming to pressure cooking along with a swanky interface which eases your cooking process through simplified dials and an exhaustive display

Muffin Pan … Continue with your baking endeavours during the chilly weather

This one’s an absolute must for home-bakers as winter baking has triple benefits –providing you and your loved ones with yummy brownies, cupcakes and muffins; warming up the environment; and lending a comforting fragrance to the cold chaos outside 

Portable Cooktop …A sleek gadget for hosting weekend getaways

These are a godsend for people who like to cook but hate the cleaning-up that follows as it doesn’t grease. Their portability enables you to carry them during your winter travel when you put up at lodges where you’d like to rustle up your own meal rather that depend on their ‘unhygienic’ kitchens to serve you food. The induction heating system ensures that you don’t need to switch off the heat while swapping pans but hey…don’t forget to slip on finger mitts while doing so!

Rice Cooker … Allows you to make more than just white rice

Besides cooking rice a rice cooker also helps you to steam vegetables and even bake a cake! And the best part is that not only does it whip up superb white rice; but also guides you with regards to the perfect water-to-rice ratio in brown, quinoa, jasmine, and other types of nutritious rice.

Roasting Pan… To cook meals for large gatherings 

Roast pans have multiple usages they - are perfect for preparing the Thanksgiving turkey; can be used to sear meat on the stovetop and bring out their full savoury flavours; can cook a bed of vegetables in the oven too! While selecting one for your kitchen do opt for something that’s lightweight and easy to clean

Slow Cooker … To provide you with a simmering experience!

If your winter kitchen strategy comprises of - minimal effort for delicious food; then a slow cooker is the perfect appliance for you to sear, sauté, roast, steam and slow cook at the simple push of a button; as it provides you with a meal that has been cooked for hours allowing you to seep into the rich robust flavours, fragrance and savoury warmth.

OTHER WINTER COOKWARE FOR YOUR KITCHEN

Some other appliances, gadgets and cookware which are mandated for your winter kitchen are - 

• Teapot (with infuser) is a must-have for teetotallers for whom the ultimate bliss is snuggling up in a warm chair with a hot cuppa in their hands! We suggest opting for the ceramic one as not only does it guarantee higher heat retention vis-à-vis other materials; but it doesn’t retain flavours thereby enabling you to brew various teas using a single teapot
• Stock pots to whip up wholesome broths, nutritious stocks and delicious soups
• Soup ladles are absolutely mandatory for winters and monsoons as they enable you to cook and serve those piping hot soups and stews without which these seasons are incomplete. Selecting the stainless steel version with - a hooked end; a slightly angled, easy-to-grip handle;  and a pouring rim – is strongly recommended
• Potjie pots which derive their name from Potjiekos are enamel cooking pots available in multitude colours to brighten up your kitchen during the drab winter months
• Pasta machines with adjustable rollers and multiple settings
• Fondue sets which facilitate fuss-free comfort eating. These are available in a variety of materials like – ceramic, copper, cast iron and stainless steel
• A well-insulated and leak-proof flask or travel mug to ‘kick-start’ your day
• Cast-iron cookware which is available in a plethora of shapes and sizes, as well as an array of colours, to suit every household are also a winter-must to enable you to braise, simmer and stew tender curries and stews

So are you drawing up your checklist for things to buy for your kitchen before winter settles in with its full fury…?