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"Wish List-Worthy Cooking Tools\\nStock these gadgets and you&amp;#39;ll spend less time choosing takeout. Your wallet and waistline will thank you.\\nThese budget-friendly items help you make healthy meals, save time and maintain proper portions. Bon appetit!\\nPerhaps no one knows their cooking tools better than [Kitchen Gadget Girl Gudrun Enger](http://www.kitchengadgetgirl.com/), owner of a vast collection. One go-to: a $10 [adjustable measuring cup](http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Art-1-Cup-Adjust-A-Cup-White/dp/B001KABBAM/). \\\"This measurer is great when I'm cooking without refined sugars and need to measure honey or maple syrup,\\\" she says. It's also easy to store because of its all-in-one design. You'll say \\\"Sayonara\\\" to measuring cup clutter. We say, \\\"Amen to that.\\\"\\nThis eight-quart, [time-saving pot](http://www.amazon.com/Presto-01370-8-Quart-Stainless-Pressure/dp/B0000Z6JIW/), $65, promises to shave minutes off weeknight dinner prep by cooking three-to-ten-times faster than a regular pressure cooker. The bonus? Your meal will retain more nutrients (and flavor) since it doesn't have to cook as long. \\\"I make batches of beans and whole grains to use in recipes,\\\" says Enger, \\\"and can throw together fast and easy risotto recipes that only take four minutes once the cooker is up to full pressure.\\\"\\nThis [$39 version](http://www.amazon.com/Swissmar-Borner-Power-Mandoline-V-7000/dp/B003CN6Q1Y) comes with three stainless steel blades that can slice, julienne, shred, and cube vegetables while protecting your hands with its built-in safety features. \\\"Everything tastes better sliced thin,\\\" says Enger. \\\"I use it to slice sweet potatoes for Potatoes Anna, onions for burgers, and a fantastic brussels sprout salad I make that calls for thinly sliced sprouts.\\\" Perfect for 92-calorie [Jalpeno Sweet Potato Fries](/fooddiet/recipes/2013/11/spicy-jalapeno-sweet-potato-fries).\\n\\\"This is one of the most [versatile tools](http://www.amazon.com/Winco-Fish-Spatula-inch-each/dp/B003HEOLXI/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1384363037&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=fish+spatula) I use in the kitchen\\\" says chef-caterer Molly Hermann with Tastebud Tart, who uses it to flip fish, eggs, and all sorts of things. \\\"I also use it like a spoon or spatula for sauteeing and it's great for pan frying because the slots allow the oil to drain away from the food as you lift.\\\" It also has a stainless steel edged-end that can be used for cutting. And did we mention it's $6?\\nHermann's [go-to peeler](http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/8764094/?catalogId=59&amp;bnrid=3120901&amp;cm_ven=Google_PLA&amp;cm_cat=Cooks'_Tools&amp;cm_pla=Graters_&amp;_Peelers&amp;cm_ite=OXO_Serrated_Peeler_%7C_Williams-Sonoma&amp;srccode=cii_17588969&amp;cpncode=26-191813027-2), $13, has a solid grip and serrating so it won't damage delicate fruits and vegetables when peeling their skins. Lately she's been using her peeler for raw butternut squash. \\\"I peel and then cube the squash instead of roasting it in half with the skin on,\\\" she says. \\\"This cuts the cooking time in half.\\\"\\n\\\"A well-cured, well-cared-for cast iron skillet eliminates the need for toxic nonstick pans, and goes seamlessly from stovetop to oven, while putting a lovely crust on anything,\\\" says Stephanie Meyer with Fresh Tart Steph. Use Crate and Barrel's [$30 version](http://www.crateandbarrel.com/lodge-cast-iron-12-skillet/s644048?a=1552&amp;device=c&amp;network=g&amp;matchtype=&amp;gclid=CLu9m-f1gLsCFYs-MgodLVYA3g) for vegetables, meats, pancakes and breads.\\nThe best thing about a toaster oven is that it does the job of a microwave without the radiation. \\\"It's perfect for reheating food and baking small casseroles or broiling open-faced sandwiches...and making toast,\\\" says Meyer. [Hamilton Beach's $60 oven](http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/toaster-ovens-6-slice-toaster--broiler-oven-31809.html) is just the right size for cooking a one or two-portion meal.\\nThis will change your life. Jeanine Donofrio of [Love &amp; Lemons](http://www.loveandlemons.com/) is a big fan of her [mini food processor](http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DLC-2ABC-Mini-Prep-Processor-Brushed/dp/B0000645YM), $39, for making small batches of pesto and other sauces. \\\"I hate dragging out a large food processor,\\\" she says. \\\"This one is easy to use and requires minimal clean-up. Use it for fresh salsa, to chop up your herbs, grind spices, and puree a vegetable mash.\\n\\\"Say no to the microwave, and keep this on hand for tastier steamed vegetables,\\\" says Donofrio. Classic and aesthetically pleasing, this [$12 bamboo steamer](http://www.amazon.com/6-Bamboo-Steamer-Set-12-0550/dp/B00125T58A/ref=sr_1_8?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1384529578&amp;sr=1-8&amp;keywords=bamboo+steamer) doesn't take up much space and offers a natural oil-free way to cook veggies and fish; the stackable layers allow you to cook each component separately. Did we mention dumplings?\\nWaffles for breakfast don't have to be buttery and rich. Ashlae Warner with [Oh, Ladycakes](http://www.ohladycakes.com/) has several healthy versions, including her [sweet potato waffles](http://www.ohladycakes.com/2013/01/sweet-potato-waffles-with-cacao-nibs.html) which she tops with coconut whipped cream, fresh fruit, or a light drizzle of pure maple syrup. Her maker of choice? [Cuisinart's $30 version](http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-WMR-CA-Round-Classic-Waffle/dp/B00006JKZN), which has \\\"ready to bake/ready to eat\\\" indicators.\\n[Olive oil](/fooddiet/2010/03/20-superfoods-slideshow#slide=21) is an awesome superfood, but the good stuff can run on the expensive side.?Use less by investing in this [$20 little gadget](http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-635052/Prepara+Oil+Mister), which creates a fine spray out of your basic olive oil, perfect for coating a saute pan or baking dish. You can also use it to give veggies (roasted, steamed or raw) a little flavor lift.\\nFresh herbs are a great way to add flavor to a dish without packing in extra calories. Save time (and your sanity!) with this [$17 herb chopper](http://www.crateandbarrel.com/zyliss-herb-mincer/s525642?a=1552&amp;device=c&amp;network=g&amp;matchtype=&amp;gclid=CNXk3aCNkrwCFSLxOgodTzcAmQ)\u2014it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and cuts up your spices without bruising 'em. Try topping your next Mexican dish with some cilantro or adding some thyme to a low-cal pasta [recipe](/fooddiet/2013/05/pasta-under-450-calories-slideshow).?\\nThe cornerstone of a healthy diet? Vegetables! Make sure you don't lose those asparagus spears, onion slices or pepper wedges with Sur La Table's [grill clips](http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-876995/Sur+La+Table+Grill+Clips+). Each $15 set comes with four. Use one for a last-minute meal, or all four at your next barbecue."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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