Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser / Williams-Sonoma
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If you’re growing weary of cooking every day because of the lockdown measures, you’re not alone. As most cities are still feeling the effects of COVID-19 and restaurants are struggling, many of us have limited options when it comes to food.
Whether you’re sick of pantry meals or struggling with new dinner ideas, these products can help you spice up your routine and kick cooking fatigue.
1. Customizable meal kits that are better than takeout
HelloFresh offers easy-to-learn and fun recipes.
If you’re feeling too tired to plan your meals but still want quality dinners, meal kits can help keep the tedious prep work to a minimum while delivering fantastic, nutritionally-balanced meals. Some of the best meal kits we’ve tested, like HelloFresh, offer a huge weekly menu of diverse offerings that will keep you from getting bored.
Looking for meal kits that cater to more specific needs and diets? From pre-packaged meals to the best meal kits for vegetarians, we've tested them all.
Sign up for HelloFresh from $8.99 per serving
2. An Instant Pot for hands-off cooking
The Instant Pot Ultra is our favorite pressure cooker overall.
If you’re looking for a gadget to help you speed up the cooking process, an electric pressure cooker, like the wildly popular Instant Pot, may be right for you. This is a versatile tool that can tackle multiple kitchen tasks—from baking and making yogurt to steaming and sautéing. Branded as the one-stop-shop of the home cooking world, you can use it to cook almost anything at the press of a button.
Get the Instant Pot Ultra 3-Quart on Amazon for $115
3. A slow cooker for simmering stews
This Cuisinart slow cooker remains our favorite after years of testing.
If you’re a big fan of the old school way of cooking, a slow cooker is the perfect gadget for you, especially when you don’t feel like spending hours watching a pot of soup simmer on the stove—all you need to do is to set it and forget it.
Whether you’re cooking for one to two people or feeding a whole family, a reliable slow cooker, like our favorite from Cuisinart, is all you need for healthy, delicious meals. If you’re a meal prepper, using a slow cooker is also a cost-effective way to cook large batches ahead of time.
Get the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker on Amazon for $159
4. A pro-style blender to help you get your veggies
If you're looking for a do-it-all blender, the Super Q from Breville is your best bet.
Though some days I’m in the mood for a hearty, carb-heavy meal, in the summer I often find myself craving lighter fare like smoothie bowls and soup to help cleanse my palette. A pro-style blender can whip up both (and many more things) without making a mess in the kitchen. The best blender we’ve tested from Breville is equipped with a restaurant-grade, powerful motor that can easily churn out smoothies, nut milk, and spreads.
Get the Breville Super Q Blender on Amazon for $499
5. A set of glass containers for organized meal prepping
The Pyrex Ultimate glass containers are the best food storage solution we've tested.
If you’re trying to keep cooking to a minimum, you may want to consider preparing a few days worth of food at a time and portioning them into containers to store in the fridge. To keep your meals fresh, you’ll need durable, airtight containers that can stay sealed to prevent spoilage.
In our testing, we’ve found that these Pyrex glass containers are excellent at preventing spoilage and spills.
Get the Pyrex Ultimate 10-Piece Glass Storage Containers Set on Williams-Sonoma for $63
6. An induction hot plate for when you can’t be bothered with dishes
This induction hot plate is as convenient as it is cute.
If you aren’t necessarily tired of cooking itself but are intimidated by the clean-up, you may find an induction hot plate helpful. This trendy cookware allows you to flip pancakes, cook eggs, and make soup with the various fitted dishwasher-safe pots and pans it comes with. What’s more, you can bring this portable gadget wherever you go—as long as there’s an electrical outlet.
Get the Portable Induction Hot Plate at A4Box for $249
Being stuck at home during COVID-19 doesn’t necessarily need to be boring. From useful tips about storing bread to finding the best meat alternatives, we’re here to help you eat well and stay healthy under quarantine.
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