Sur La Table is a one-stop shop for a myriad of kitchen goods — and right now, it’s having a huge summer sale with 20 percent off so many great products (plus some stuff that isn’t technically part of the sale but is still marked down). There’s cookware and high-quality knives from otherwise-expensive name brands (I’d advise you to take the plunge now). There are highly recommended appliances and tools we’ve written about before. There are some just plain useful essentials you’ve probably been putting off replacing (ahem, your stained dish towels need to go). And there are some nice options for giving your dining table a seasonal refresh. Because the retailer has discounted such an overwhelming amount, I’ve rounded up the items I’m most excited about below. The sale ends today, so be sure to shop sooner than later.
A high-quality chef’s knife is a worthwhile investment. This one is a favorite of a pro butcher I interviewed who loves it as much for its looks as for its performance. He says it offers great durability, balance, and precision.
I love this salad spinner. The lid fits on tight and locks down, the push mechanism is so easy to use, and it cleans up beautifully.
If your kitchen towels are looking worse for wear, it’s time to trade up for this classic-looking set that comes in several cute colors. The material looks nice and thick, too.
I’ve tried quite a few milk frothers, and this is the one I keep in my own kitchen. It makes the perfect not-too-dense and supersoft micro bubbles. It has a couple of hot settings and — thank goodness since it’s finally iced-coffee season — a cold-foam setting, too.
Not all measuring spoons are created equal, and this set comes highly recommended thanks to the slim shape that can fit into small jar openings and deep etchings that won’t fade in the dishwasher over time.
Espresso makers can cost a fortune and take up precious counter space, but the Bialetti creates espressolike coffee right on your stovetop. It’s particularly great for drinks with milk, like lattes and cappuccinos.
Adding this to my own personal cart for making paella on the grill.
My Staub Dutch oven has lived on my stovetop for years, and I expect it to stay there … forever. It’s durable and versatile, heats high and evenly, can go in the oven, and is pretty enough to take straight to the table.
Meantime, Le Creuset might be known for its Dutch ovens (and those are on sale, too), but its enameled cast-iron skillets are just as nice looking and useful. The surface is a bit more nonstick than standard cast iron and doesn’t require any seasoning.
There are few things more versatile than a large set of nesting mixing bowls (this one comes with ten). The smallest pieces can be used for mise en place, as well as setting out small snacks like olives and nuts at your next barbecue. Larger ones are great for tossing salads, marinating meats, baking, and serving.
If you don’t have a set of super-durable plateware for backyard hangs, now’s the moment to stock up. While I’m (spoiler) working on a story with quite a few options coming soon, I can tell you that melamine is where it’s at. These particular plates toe the line between being fun for more casual gatherings but still nice enough for setting a formal table outside.
A Lodge cast-iron skillet is always useful (so much so that I named it the very best skillet you can buy). And while it’s always affordable, now it’s even more so. Use it to bake summer fruit pies, and throw it on your grill, too.
A grill press is great for pressing sandwiches, smashing potatoes, crushing cucumbers and green beans for bright summer salads, searing meats, and getting crispy skin on fish. It’s one of those tools you’ll pull out way more than you think before you own one.
Bormioli Rocco makes fantastic stackable bodega glasses that have been recommended to us many times over — but I love the look of these more ornate ones. They’re a nice size for water and iced tea.
A mortar and pestle can be game-changing for your cooking; grinding your spices fresh adds way more oomph than pre-ground ones (especially those that have been sitting on a grocery-store shelf for who knows how long). This marble version is heavy enough to stay firmly planted on your counter and won’t heat up and release oils as you grind.
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