Tom and I really like cooking together.  We experiment with different recipes and ingredients, and like to try everything from Indian to Mexican cooking.  Here are a few of the kitchen tools and accessories that we love and can't live without.  Some are total kitchen essentials (like a knife!) and others are just plain fun (like the KitchenAid mixer).

1. Wooden Cutting Board - This beautiful end-grain cutting board is handmade by Larch Wood in Cape Breton, NS.  Although not our exact board, we really love this size and shape for cutting vegetables and scoping them off the edge. (Image Credit:  Round Original Cutting board by Larch Wood)


2. Abeego Food Storage Wraps - A totally awesome Canadian product!  They are a beeswax coated fabric that wraps around bowls, sandwiches, or anything you can think of.  It's a great alternative to plastic cling wrap that you can use over and over again.  We have three different sizes of flats, but they also come in pre-made snack/sandwich bags. (Image Credit:  Flat Food Storage Wraps by Abeego)


3. Can Opener - This one by Zyliss is the best!  No more fighting to get the can open. (Image Credit:  Can Opener from Zyliss)


4. KitchenAid Stand Mixer - This was an amazing wedding gift to us (lucky!).  We have a white version and use it almost every day for baking, mashing potatoes, and making pasta (with the pasta-maker attachment which is sold separately). (Image Credit:  Stand Mixer from KitchenAid)


5. Wooden Spoon - One of Tom's favourite tools for everyday cooking.  We have one from a random craft fair, but this one from Herriott Grace is absolutely beautiful, and handcrafted by her father in Victoria, BC.  You can watch this awesome little video about their story. (Image Credit:  Wooden Stirring Spoon by Herriott Grace)


6. Pizza Stone - We love homemade pizza!  Now that I have perfected the recipe for homemade dough, we use the KitchenAid to make the dough, and cook it on this clay stone. (Image Credit:  Pizza Stone from Kitchen Stuff Plus)


7. French/Dutch Oven - This Le Creuset version is a recent addition to our kitchen (thanks to a generous Christmas present from my mom.  Thanks mom!).  So far it is awesome for making large batches of soups and stews. (Image Credit:  French Oven from Le Creuset)


8. Chef's Knife - A great Chef's knife is essential in the kitchen.  We use this Henckels one about 90% of the time. (Image Credit:  Chef's Knife from Zwilling J.A. Henckels)


9. Cuisinart Hand Blender - Perfect for pureeing (is that a word?) soup.  Ours also comes with a handy wisk and small food chopper attachment. (Image Credit: Hand Blender from Cuisinart)