I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and these are the five items I have invested money in. I am completely satisfied every time I use them. I know that with proper care they will last a long time.

1) Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven

I’m a big soup person. I use my Le Creuset at least once a week to make lentil soup or chicken and dumplings. I feel like my soups taste even better now. Sometimes you can find these at Marshalls or TJ Max at a more reasonable price.

2) Santoku 7 inch Knife

I use the Santoku to cut almost everything. It is my go to knife. I personally like Wusthof’s Classic collection, but the best thing to do when you’re in the market for a knife is to go to a store and handle them. I went to Williams-Sonoma and had a store manager help me select my knives.

3) Peugeot Salt and Pepper Mill

I love fresh cracked pepper on salads and in soups. I have tried several inexpensive mills over the years and they all stopped grinding in less than a year. I bought a set of Peugeot salt and pepper mills a few months ago. I can’t get over how sturdy they are. I especially recommend the mills that allow you to adjust the coarseness of the grind. I gave a set to a foodie friend last year and they have been very pleased with them.

4) Neilsen Massey Vanilla Products

I enjoy baking. I use vanilla in just about every sweet I make. Neilsen and Massey have organic vanilla and Madagascar Bourbon vanilla products. Both are wonderful. They are more expensive than what you would find in a grocery store, but they are well worth the additional cost.

5) Bialetti Mukka Express - Espresso & Cappuccino Maker

I got this for Christmas in 2006. I use it on the weekends to make a cappuccino. It is a great way to kick off a Saturday or Sunday morning. It costs a fraction of what a fancy espresso machine would and the coffee tastes great. It is also pretty easy to clean.

These are my top five picks for the kitchen. Let me know if there are any kitchen items you recommend. I’m always interested in trying new gear.