With the holidays approaching, most of us log extra kitchen time. Family dinners, special gatherings, a bounty of baking—every day’s a food festival. Here are a few tools that can help.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Inclusion in this column is not an endorsement by South Carolina Living or any S.C. electric cooperative.
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Results-oriented
Do you trust your oven to cook that expensive roast exactly like you want it? With the Anova Precision Cooker with Bluetooth, you eliminate the constant oven watch. Set it and forget it while the water bath brings your food to the internal temperature you choose. Perfect results every time, just like the pros. $159. (855) 421-8282; anovaculinary.com.
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Make it quick
Holidays keep you hopping, so shaving time off meal prep is one of the best gifts you can get. The Pampered Chef Quick Cooker and Accessories Set is a game-changer. Sear, steam, slow cook and pressure cook, all in one appliance. The included springform pan and ceramic pot take you from breakfast to dessert in record time. $285. (888) 687-2433; pamperedchef.com.
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Cuppa cheer
Still making that stop every day for a barista special? Save time and money when you add the Nespresso VertuoPlus to your kitchen counter. This coffee maker uses barcoded capsules for ease and convenience (no mess or measuring!) and offers five cup sizes. It also comes with a handy attachment to foam your cappuccino. $174. (800) 562-1465; nespresso.com.
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Heater helper
Getting the timing just right on a big meal is always a challenge. Everything is cooking along when you realize that you don’t have a burner to spare for the gravy. No room for a second stovetop? That’s when you pull out the Salton Stainless Steel Portable Induction Cooker. Cook when and where you need to and put the burner away when you don’t. $60. (800) 462-3966; bedbathandbeyond.com.
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Frequent fryer
Let’s face it—holidays are often unkind to the waistline. Ditch the oil and the deep fryer and cook your chicken, fries, fish, steak and just about anything you like in a NuWave Brio Digital Air Fryer. Pre-settings make for foolproof results and hot-air cooking gives you crunch without calories. $100. (800) 462-3966; bedbathandbeyond.com.
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Smooth operator
Call it culinary disaster aid. The KitchenAid 2-Speed Hand Blender comes to the rescue when sauces and soups need smoothing and gravies need de-lumping. It’s a quick fix. Plug it in, immerse it in a liquid and watch it work its smoothing magic. $50. (800) 462-3966; bedbathandbeyond.com.