🥔 Food People, Parent Picks: Chef Cassandra's Kitchen Must-Haves
Essential kitchen tools and pantry staples especially for busy parents.
Food People, Parent Picks: we ask our favorite chefs, food writers, and industry insiders who we interview in our Order Up! Series to share the products, books, and bites they can’t live without.
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Kitchen Tools Chef Cassandra Loves!
Cassandra had such wonderful stories about recipe creation and food presentation for kids, we knew she’d have some favorite tools in her kitchen arsenal. Here’s a list of her must-have tools and pantry staples! Revisit her interview here.
🌟 What’s one kitchen tool you can’t live without?
A Microplane or rasp-style grater. I use it for everything—grating Parmesan, zesting citrus, even finely grating garlic or ginger when I don’t feel like chopping.
🍝 Is there a pantry staple you recommend parents always have on hand for quick, family-friendly meals?
Good dried pasta. The ones made in Italy are easy to find and reasonably priced now. You can always turn pasta into a quick meal—add whatever vegetables, protein, or sauce you have on hand, and you’re set.
🧂 What’s your go-to ingredient or shortcut for making meals taste better instantly?
Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base—just a little bit makes a big difference in soups, stews, and sauces. Smoked paprika is another one; it gives beans, peas, or anything else a deep, smoky flavor without adding meat.
🍳 Are there any cooking gadgets or appliances that make life easier for busy parents or home cooks?
Cast iron skillet—it’s naturally nonstick and works for almost everything. Mandolin slicer—makes prepping vegetables way faster. Just be careful with your fingers.
🔪 What’s a budget-friendly item that delivers a big impact in the kitchen?
Instant-read thermometer. Even a cheap one helps you stop overcooking food or second-guessing if something’s done.
🍽️ If you could splurge on one kitchen item, what would it be and why?
A commercial-grade dehydrator. It would let me dry fruits, veggies, and herbs fast so I can store my garden harvest instead of wasting it.
📖 What’s a cookbook or food-related book that has really influenced your cooking?
Southern Living Annual Cookbooks—I have every edition from 1979 onward, thanks to my grandmother. As a true Southern cook, these books are an invaluable resource—whether I’m recalling an old recipe, looking for inspiration, or trying to share a beloved dish with a friend.
🥣 What’s the one ingredient or product that makes weeknight dinners so much easier?
Broth—homemade or store-bought. If a kid won’t eat much, you can cook their noodles or rice in broth to add flavor and nutrition. Then, use the leftover broth to make a sauce or soup."
🧂 What’s your favorite food-related gift to give (or receive)?
Small-batch, locally made spices or seasonings. I like to give something handcrafted from our cooperative or my own homemade blend. A good seasoning blend makes cooking easier and more interesting.
One Potato tip: We like to find local spice producers at our local farmer’s markets.
Thanks for chatting with us, Cassandra. We’re ready to get cooking in the One Potato kitchen!