Some of my most used kitchen tools are also the least exciting to look at. They’re not all big ticket appliances or beautiful things you want to leave out on the counter but they’re the things I use all the time. The right tool can make prep faster, give you more control when you’re cooking or save you from making an unnecessary mess. And once you find the ones you love, it’s hard to cook without them.

My kitchen is filled with things I love and have been slowly collecting over the years but if I had to start over tomorrow, these are the things I would buy first. These are my workhorses, my daily drivers and the pieces I give up limited cabinet space for because they make cooking easier and more enjoyable. These are the ones that have proven themselves through countless dinners and heavy prep sessions.