Mary’s Picks
I’ve compiled here a list of the essential kitchen gadgets, utensils, and appliances that I rely on for my cooking and baking. Below, you’ll find my favorite kitchen tools, all sourced from Amazon. I firmly believe in the saying ‘I’m too poor to buy cheap things,’ so I aim for quality without breaking the bank. Several traditional Italian tools I use aren’t widely available, so I’ve sought out for you, practical, effective alternatives on Amazon that closely match the functionality of the originals. Please note that these are affiliate links, so you make a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Cooking Tools
It took me some time to find this elegant but very functional non stick pan. It is not only very pretty ( I bought a smaller one in pink for my daughter) and lightweight but the non-stick layer is made of ceramic. Therefore, appart form being very easy to use it's also completely non-toxic. I just love this addition to my kitchen, this is one of those things that you can't just get tired of.
I chose this product first and foremost because I love the KitchenAid brand; I trust them to make quality, safe products. And since it's so important what we put in our mouth together with food, this anodized ceramic sauce pan is ideal. It's basicaly a sturdy aluminum pan with a non-toxic ceramic coating that's easy to clean, perfect for sauces and simmering, and it allows to cook with less oil.
Elegant, cute, perfectly functional, healthy ceramic non stick layer.
I like using cast iron pans, they are son "moderate" in reaction towards the food, they can take fast fire and distribute it so evenly on the surface of the pot that your food will cook faster but not burn. This one pan, is as all the others I bough lately in my kitchen, focused on quality and health first!
Baking Tools
I love this mixing bowl, it's just so functional and good quality. As a rule, I tend to buy products that mention they are lead free - that way you know for sure they are. But what I love the most with this mixing bowl is its functionality. You can easily hold it down by the handle when mixing! And when making pancake batter you can directly pour it in you pan.
This ceramic tray is perfect for Italian pies like Pastiera. It is deep enough to keep all the filling from overflowing and it has the right shape for the delicious traditional Italian pies. I also like it because it's white and it just give an appearance of cleanliness in the kitchen.
I like this rack because it's high enough to allow the cookies to cool down quickly, without getting humid from the steam and at the same time it is also collapsible. Therefore easy to store! Moreover, I can also use it in the oven as it is heat resistant and goes on basically any baking tray.
I like the ceramic cookware in general: first of all, the quality is significantly higher, being a natural material and all. Then, it gives the food a consistent bake without hotspots, plus it’s naturally non-stick, so cleanup’s a breeze without any harsh coatings. It's true that it's a bit heavy and it takes a little longer to heat up compared to metal pans but it's totally worth it!
This one is the right dimension if you want to make a traditional Pandoro. It’s a star-shaped mold that holds about 1 kilogram of dough, giving you those iconic, fluffy, golden layers that rise just right. The deep, fluted design ensures the bread bakes evenly, with a crisp exterior and a tender, airy crumb inside—perfect for dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling with chocolate to impress at any festive table.
It was hard to find a tall mold, but this Panettone pan does it perfectly, shaping my Panettone into a lofty, golden tall beauty. Pay attention not to put it in the washing machine as it’ll rust—hand-washing is a must to keep it pristine. It’s easy to use and releases the Panettone effortlessly at the end which was the great challenge for the normal pots I used before.
These ramekins are so elegant and classy, I just love them so much! Good quality too, thick enough to get really hot and bake the souffles, or puddings or whatever you are making.
This paper mold is more than enough for baking the colomba pasquale.
What I like about this pan is how its lightweight aluminum design makes it incredibly handy in the kitchen, even for kids to use with ease, and of course, the ceramic layer is essential since it keeps everything healthy and safe.
This 12-cup Bundt cake pan in a fun pink shade is a kitchen MVP for whipping up Italian goodies like Pigna di Pasqua. Made from non-scratch carbon steel, it’s tough enough to handle daily baking while keeping your cake’s shape sharp and intact, no sticking hassles. Its fluted design and tall build make it super practical for even heat distribution, so your Easter cakes come out fluffy and golden every time. Whether you’re going for a quick-mix batter or a slow-rise dough, this pan’s got your back with easy cleanup and a pop of color to boot.
Dough Tools
A rolling pin is indispensable for any pastry "chef". I own two types: one with handles and one without. The one without handles (this one here) is great for quickly and effectively expanding the dough sheet rather than just flattening it. And this rolling mat is a game-changer for precision rolling; it's marked with measurements to get your dough to the exact size, plus it sticks to the table for stability and makes transferring the dough to the tray very easy.
I use a similar cutter when I make le cartellate but mine is bought locally and it's made here by a local. This one is similar to mine, and not only will it help you with pastry cutting but also when you want to make farfalle and other ruffled edge pasta and cookies.
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Stand Mixer
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Pasta Mashine
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Our Rating:
3.5
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Our Rating:
3.5
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$299.87
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$84.99
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This is good quality cutter for when you need to move fast or you want your cookies to look perfectly cut. The set contains 4 assorted cookie cutters (5", 4", 3", 2"), 1" deep. The material is good and the edges are slim (to get easily through the dough) but rounded. All in all a good choice
I love the natural look and feel of this large bowl, this is one of my favorite. Durable-microwave and dishwasher safe. Nonabsorbent and stick resistant. Product Is Manufactured In United States. Brand: Ohio Stoneware.
Italian Ingredients
This ingredient is very used in Italy in soups, salads and pies, especially in the winter, when the fruits are scarce. If you don't use wheat berries, you could replace them with rye berries. They are very nutrition and tasty!
This is the type of flour that most of the pastries are made with in Italy. Its fineness results in a smoother, softer dough, which is crucial for achieving the delicate texture of homemade pasta or the thin, crispy yet tender crust of pizza. If you can find it you can purchase regular flour but you will need to adjust the quantity of water and knead slightly more in order to get the desired texture.
This flour type is ideal for dense breads, providing the structure needed to hold the air pockets created by yeast fermentation.
Limoncello, a zesty Italian lemon liqueur from the Amalfi Coast, brings a bright, boozy punch to Easter desserts. In baking, it’s often splashed into batters—like for Pigna di Pasqua—to add citrus depth or drizzled over cakes for a tangy soak. You might mix it into glazes or frostings, giving treats like Ciaramicola a subtle kick, or use it to spike fillings in pastries. Its sunny flavor screams spring, making it a go-to for festive sweets.
Farro is delicious, particularly in soups and stews, and it's texture is hearty and protein-rich. The grain cooks in about 20 minutes and has a firm yet creamy texture, making it a versatile ingredient that works well in salads and casseroles. It's a great addition to meals.
This organic orzo is a high-quality pasta that slowly dries to preserve its authentic flavor. It is often use for both soups and risotto in Italy. And it's not only its versatility as a pantry staple but it is an affordable option as well.
Kitchen Gadgets
I love this tool! You don't really realize how much more smoother and elegant your life may become until you buy a simple thing like this that enhances your baking experience! Also, it's better than a palette knife when smoothing icing too! Sturdy but flexible. It fits the hand perfectly, has great cutting edge and is simple to clean.
I prefer to use silicon because it's healthier, more durable and it cleans easily. The tips slide effortlessly into the bag. This version of pipping bag is good value for money, and has a comprehensive enough variety of tips that cater to different decorating needs. And it's a reasonable cost.
This Silicone Kitchen Heat-Resistant Spaghetti Strainer is really good price for great value. The silicone material is not only very durable but also withstands high temperatures without warping or melting. It also cleans very easily, all in all a great choice!
This cotton cheesecloth is made from premium quality cotton. It's at the same time strong and finely weaved, making it easy to really squeeze the liquid out of cheese. And, being devoid of harmful chemicals, it's perfectly suited for direct food contact for all the culinary applications you might think of.
I love to chop with this tool, is so much easier than with the knife! And quicker! This chopper is really good steel quality, it cuts smoothly and works just fine.
The blade of this cleaver is very sharp, and has the right size and weight. Also, it has a good grip. It is very good quality overall.
These glass bowls are the perfect size for a small bite dessert, ideal for keeping portions under control, especially with the children!
This serves as a substitute for parchment paper for individuals who prefer to avoid parchment papers infused with various oils and fats that may affect health for some people.
These are genuine Italian kitchen towels, a set of four, each tailored for a specific task: one for drying glasses, one for handling hot items, one for preserving bread freshness, and one as a hand towel. They vary in texture, are primarily made of high-quality cotton, and feature a simple, elegant design crafted in Italy.
This kitchen tool is incredibly handy. It may not look like much, but it seriously simplifies your life. The broad head effortlessly scoops food out or gently places it into the wok. It’s strong and reliable, so nothing gets accidentally out of it. I use it with everything: pasta, doughnuts, ravioli, even spaghetti, fries, everything!
I bought the olive one and I love it! I wanted a bottle that will remind me how much should I have been drinking until that point, easy to carry around but also from glass (healthies material if you ask me). I could not be happier with this bottle. And it came with an infuser!
This is a great help especially for those who try to replace the grains pasta with vegetables pasta - best trick there is!
"If this were the only cookbook you owned, neither you nor those you cooked for would ever get bored.” —Nigella Lawson
Marcella Hazan introduced Americans to a whole new world of Italian food. In this, her magnum opus, she gives us a manual for cooks of every level of expertise—from beginners to accomplished professionals.
I love these as they are made of glass, so no xeno estrogen risk. Plus they are partitioned so great to take them with you to work.
A true essential, these stainless steel tongs are your go-to tool for daily culinary tasks, enhancing your cooking experience with their versatility.
Some of my favs
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Blogging Tools
- WPEngine (Hosting)
- Restored 316 (Theme)
- Unsplash (Stock Photos)
- Social Squares (Stock Photos)
- Later (social media scheduling)