Our Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

Get ready to make healthy and seasonal meals this spring with a little help from more of our favorite kitchen tools. To see part one of our favorite kitchen gadgets, click here.

Over-the-Sink Colander

Whole-wheat pasta is a great source of carbs. But, we’re not fans of the traditional pasta draining technique: when hot water puddles around and backwashes into the food. A strainer that expands over the top of the sink will do the job better, faster and cleaner. Plus the sliding handles fit different sized sinks.

WE LIKE: Crate and Barrel Over-the-Sink Mesh Colander
$20, crateandbarrel.com

Salad Dressing Emulsifier

How can you go wrong with a salad? By pouring on a dressing filled with sugar, sodium and chemicals! An emulsifier, on the other hand, makes it easy to mix and store healthful homemade dressing. For a super simple version pour in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Squeeze the emulsify trigger and store for up to three days.

WE LIKE: Chef’n Salad Dressing Emulsifier
$15, williams-sonoma.com

Blender

Smoothies are the perfect way to load up on nutrients and rehydrate post-run. We like making our own with an old-fashioned blender—the popular new mixers that come with plastic jars break a bit too easily.

WE LIKE: KitchenAid 5-Speed Diamond Blender
$150, kitchenaid.com

Egg Timer

Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of protein you can make in advance and store in the fridge for an easy-to-grab snack or breakfast. If you’re never quite sure when the egg is completely cooked through, this timer will tell you whether yours is soft, medium or hard.

WE LIKE: Egg-Perfect Egg Timer
$6, williams-sonoma.com

Wok

When it comes to eating healthy, you’ll get bored if you don’t mix it up. A wok offers countless stir-fry options and requires less cooking oil than a frying pan. Experiment with exotic veggies—and add in fresh ginger, garlic and zest for low-cal flavor.

WE LIKE: Calphalon Contemporary Non-Stick Stir Fry Pan
$50, calphalon.com