The Kitchen Shelf
Things I Use
The real tools in my real, chaotic kitchen.
This is the running list of tools, ingredients, and gear I actually use in my kitchen. Some I have had for years. Some I picked up because they made a specific recipe noticeably easier. All of them have earned their place on my counter or in my cabinet.
If you have spotted something in one of my recipes and want to know what it is, this is where I keep that information up to date.
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Mixing & Folding
Large Mixing Bowl
My everyday bowl for sourdough. Wide enough to fit my hand for mixing and folding, with plenty of room for the dough to double during bulk fermentation. I use this for almost every bread recipe on this site.
Countertop Pastry Mat
I love using this on the counter. It also fits perfectly on my flat-top stove when I need more prep room.
Baking & Bread Tools
Dutch Oven
While there are cute enamel Dutch ovens out there, this one is purely functional. A classic made by Lodge in the USA.
Sourdough Starter Kit
Everything you need to get started with sourdough. After a few months you will figure out what you actually use, what you do not, and what you want to upgrade.
Cooking & Griddling
Double Burner Griddle
Perfect for making Saturday morning pancakes, or flip it over and use the grill side for weeknight dinners.
Specialty Tools
Microplane Home Series Multipurpose Coarse Grater
High-quality graters are a necessity in every kitchen. This Microplane coarse grater is perfect for grating frozen butter into your sourdough to add a softer texture to your bread.
Storing & Sharing
Bread Storage Bags
We tried a few different bags. The canvas bag that came with our starter kit made bread go stale in just 2 days. A handmade beeswax bag went moldy quickly. These keep my bread fresh for about a week. They are also great for gifting bread to my in-laws when I get a little over-zealous with weekend baking. My stepson likes to take a loaf with him to his mom’s, and I do not have to worry about getting a reusable bag or container back.
Around the Kitchen
Coffee Scoop
Having a cup of coffee while I am baking is a non-negotiable. It is usually the first thing I do before getting my dough out of the fridge and ready for baking. We use a reusable K-Cup and this scoop works perfectly to fill it with the right amount of grounds.
Reusable Silicone Straws
Whether I am using one for an iced coffee on a hot day or for my son’s chocolate milk, these reusable silicone straws are safer than glass or metal. The bright colors add a pop to our morning drinks.
More tools and pantry staples will be added as I bring them into my kitchen rotation. If you have spotted something in one of my recipes that is not listed here yet, send me a message through the contact page and I will add it.
Take a look at The Wishlist for the tools I have my eye on next.