Favorite new kitchen tools

Last month I co-hosted a Pampered Chef party with Kelly. Before that, I didn't have much knowledge of PC products, but I am now a believer. They have innovative and high quality kitchen/baking tools that make life easier and more fun in the kitchen.

My favorite purchase was the Mix n' Chop, designed to aid the cooking of ground meats. Since our family functions best with delicious, home grown, ground beef for every meal, this tool is a must-have.

The Mix n' Chop has a funny spiral end to it that works at breaking up the meat as it cooks. It's safe for non-stick cookware.

I am really impressed with how fabulous this thing is. My meat is usually always frozen and I defrost it in the microwave. Since I am in a hurry, the meat is cooked a little on the outside and frozen still in the middle. This handy tool didn't care one bit and broke up all the meat with ease.

Now, I was on to make Lasagna. Thank you Mix n' Chop! Because I decided to take pictures of my fabulous new tool and cook at the same time, I have a new respect for the blog cooks who document their recipes all the time. Try taking a picture with your left hand of steaming hot food -- not easy.

My next fun favorite tool is the Pampered Chef chopper. It has a handle to press on the top and spinning blades behind the plastic shield. You simply put the items to chop in the shield and press away on the handle. 

It does amazing things to onions. I really like this product too.

When I was in Africa, I had the opportunity to cook a few different rustic meals with one of the native ladies. There were no counter tops, no fancy cutting boards. She had a knife (not a good one) and a couple of bowls and a pot for cooking, that is it. So, I know that cooking is possible without all our fancy gadgets.

But I must admit I love the gadgets and they tend to make life easier.  A lot easier (thank you Lord for my microwave). I am curious what kitchen tools you wouldn't want to live without. I might learn about something I am missing. 

If I was PW, I would give away a Pampered Chef Mix n' Chop and a Chopped and I would get 4, 500 comments in the next 2 minutes. But I am not PW.