A few items that help me out...BIG TIME!

I really love to cook. Home cooking is really an essential skill for a Muslim woman. Nowadays you can't tell what's in anything unless you are a registered dietitian and most things that you can't name are pork in disguise. With that said, if you are a serious homecooker you probably have some appliances that you turn to on a regular to make cooking easier.

Here are my favorites in no particular order.

I love this food chopper because it's so easy to clean and most times I don't need more than the 1.5 cups it chops. I use it mostly for vegetables like onions, celery, garlic and peppers when I make lentil chili, potato salad or navy bean soup. Chops in seconds.

I have used a crock pot since I was a college student (not in the dorm, in my house off campus). I mainly make chili in it now, but I make chicken cacciatore and chicken noodle soup in it too. If you get one, make sure that the "pot" portion comes out so you can clean it properly. Also, store the lid carefully because most are pretty easy to crack. There's nothing like coming in after a long day out to the smell of food cooking.

If you've never had homemade ice cream you don't know what you are missing. I like making my own flavors and combinations. This new machine is great. No rock salt, no ice. You keep the "freezer" portion in your freezer at all times, so when you want some ice cream you just pull it out and whip some up. You can use your own fresh ingredients and can use sugar substitue if you want, natural sugar if you want, organic fruit, etc. You can cater to any diet or taste. Also, my husband likes dessert every night and if there are no baked goods left and I'm not up to making cookies, this is a quick option. Plus, it just makes you look extra special when you serve homemade cake or pie with homemade ice cream!

What appliances do you love (no microwaves please, LOL!)?