Needy things (nē ‘dē things) n.  A group of kitchen items that you don’t think you need but you do.

This is a collection of kitchen things or items or tools that I feel you really do need but perhaps you don’t think you do.   I used to think that I could get along without them, but, over the years I have collected or have been given all of these tools.  Some are really inexpensive and others can be quite pricey.  That is why they can make perfect gifts.  Most of us have been asked what we want for our birthdays, holidays, mother’s day and on and on.  Often times we can’t think of anything.  Now all you have to do is refer to this list and you will finally get something that you really need and want.  Plus, these items make great gifts!  When YOU can’t think of what to give someone, try one of these.  This is by no means a complete list, and I will be adding more as I think of them...memories...feel free to add your favorites in the comments.

Offset spatula.  Now don’t get all huffy.  You do need this.  I thought a plain old knife would suffice.  It doesn’t.  For spreading batter in a pan or decorating a cake or cookies, this is a must.  It is a multi-tasker, too.  It works wonders for removing that first piece of pie or cake.   You won’t have to buy a cake knife.  They come in all sizes, I suggest you get a small and a large.  Not a pricey item.  Buy one now.

Microplane or Rasp.  This is a must.  I would say this is the number one tool you need to buy.  It is just ideal for grating lemon or lime peel.  When you need garlic to be really fine, this is the right tool.  Oh, don’t get me started on grating Parmesan...perfect, perfect, perfect.  I bought mine at the CIA in Napa Valley many years ago.  Back then they were hard to find.  Now days you can buy them most anywhere.  Trust me on this one, you will love it.  Not very expensive, either.

Kitchen Shears.   Once you have a pair of shears you will never know what you did without them.  They are a must when you want to snip a few chives over your baked potato.  I take them out to the garden when I want to cut my herbs.  I hate to say this, but, I use them to cut open all sorts of bags, too.  You know chip bags and such.  I hang them right over my kitchen sink so they are handy.  Not too expensive.

Cake stand.   This is something you are probably questioning.  A cake stand???   Yup.  For years when I made a cake, I always put it on a plate.  It looked fine, but, once I purchased a cake stand, even the most plain and simple cake looked tons better.  I have one that I bought from Crate and Barrel and it was inexpensive.  The cover is really heavy so it creates a good seal.  When you want to be a bit more fancy but don’t have time, buy (heaven forbid) some cookies and pile them on your cake stand and instantly you have a dressed up desert.  Of course, you need to put them on a doily...just kidding...or not.  These have a wide range of prices, but, even those on a meager budget may be able to squeeze in one of these.

Sideless cookie sheet.  Why do you need one of these?  Let me tell you.  Once I was ambitious and thought I’d pull a Martha’s assistant (because NO one believes Martha does all she does without a huge staff) and make big butterfly cookies. I just know they would have been adorable and won lots and lots of prizes if only I could have gotten them off the cookie sheet.  I learned the hard way that I needed a sideless cookie sheet to slide them onto the cooling rack.  They were too big to pick up and not break while warm.  Since buying these, sliding is my new thing.   Probably not a top priority, but, come holiday time, these cookie sheets are worth their weight in gold.  You can buy good ones at discount stores.

Kitchen Scale.   Yes yes yes.  This is something you should strive for.  And you should learn to weigh your measurements when baking.  If you ever want to use European cookbooks, you need this.  When a recipe calls for 4 oz chocolate do you really know how much 4 oz. is?  Ya, I know you just take 4 little packages...but, what if you are using pricier chocolate, and it doesn’t come in little white packages?  See?  This is something you do need.  And if you can get one in pink, how good is that?  The price on these can have a large range, don’t get the cheapest, but, you don’t need to take out a second mortgage either.

Chocolate Labrador.  Now I know many of you will find this item unnecessary.  But, trust me, if you are a sloppy cook and drop tidbits on the floor, this is, indeed, a necessity.  I suppose you don’t really need a chocolate lab, it is just that I find them the best, next to any small terrier, or as I like to call them terrors.  They can really save time in cleanup, they will lick your plates clean, no need for washing.  Plus, if you don’t have anyone around to help you in the kitchen they are fabulous companions.  They always like what you make.  Watch out for yellow labs, they can be finicky.  These are expensive items, but, worth every penny.

Knives (really good ones).  I am not talking about the $7.99 knife that you pick up at your local market.  Nope.  I know that these can be extremely pricey so you may have to pick away at these one at a time.  But, they really do make your prep work so much easier.  You will be absolutely amazed what a difference they can make.  I would start out with a good chef’s knife.  Then perhaps a pairing knife.  After that a serrated knife can be used for so many things.  Make sure that you handle your knives before you buy.  I know that I don’t use the same size knife as Paul.  I don’t like a heavy knife, with my arthritis, I find them too tiring after awhile.  Yet, a knife that is too light bugs me.  Don’t ask me why, it just does.   I would consider good knives a top priority.

Oven thermometer.   You don’t really want to know how I know that you need one of these.   Oh, my.  Just ask my friend Janna.  She was the recipient of a dry coffee cake.  Not so long ago I hosted a “Jane Austen” tea party.  I made one of my favorite coffee cakes.   I noticed that Janna took a slice and left the majority of it on her plate.  Later, after the party I took a piece and OH MY GODDESS it was so dry I thought it came from the Sahara.   Why did I have such a dry cake you may ask?  Because my oven temperature was so off.   And before you ask, I did test the cake along the way and it just didn’t seem done, so I over baked it.  I am not saying that owning an oven thermometer will make you a great cook or baker, but, it certainly can help. I would venture to say that most of our ovens are off by at least 10-25 degrees.

Here and now I promise to make this coffee cake again using the  thermometer and hope that Janna will give it another try.  You should be able to buy these for under $20. 

Candy thermometer.  You just have to have one.  Period.  There really isn’t any accurate way to tell how hot your candy is without one.  I remember back in the day when I used to use the “soft ball stage” etc. and trust me, it was a pain in the butt.  Not to mention how many times I burned my fingers.   You can pick up one of these babies for less than $10.  Try Target.  Or if you are lucky enough to have a child that paid for “prime” shipping at Amazon, shop there.  Love Amazon. Love the child even more.

Stand mixer.  Preferably a KitchenAid.  Oh, baby, do I love my mixer.  I have a big honking one.  I don’t know if you need such a powerful one, but, if you can swing it, buy up.  Mine can easily knead dough for 10 minutes without over heating.  I have friends that own Kitchenaids, but, theirs are not as powerful and they can’t do what I can do on mine.  Now these are really expensive and I suggest if you are not married get married and put this on your register.  If you are married, get divorced, get remarried and put this on your gift list.  Trust me it will be worth it.

Big Bowl.   Try to find the biggest bowl you can.  I don’t know how many times I use my biggest bowl. They are great for everything from making a hot dish to putting hot popcorn in.  Buy a nice sturdy one.  You can buy glass or metal.  I don’t know about you, but, there is something about a big glass bowl that just makes me feel all homey.  Probably because it is the type of bowls that my grandmother used.  She would make a big batch of her buns and use these bowls for the dough to rise.  Just make sure you watch what kind of glass you get.  I have a really cool yellow and white striped bowl, but, it is chipped all around the edge.  Not too expensive.

Wonder Cup.  No, not a cool kind of bra.  And this is neither the time nor place to talk about Giada’s cleavage.  But, this is a cool measuring cup.  Whenever you have to measure anything sticky or semi solid, such as peanut butter, honey or shortening, this is the tool for you.  All you do is slide the bottom to the desired measurement, then fill and slide the ingredients out.  Easy peasy.  This is under 10 bucks.

Pyrex eight cup measuring cup.  This is something that I picked up on a whim years ago.  I am sure I bought it from the bottom shelf at my local grocery store.  It has been worth every penny.  I not only use it to mix and measure, I also use it to heat or melt things in the microwave. The spout comes in handy.  It is great for mixing up a big batch of “sour” for my to die for Whiskey Sours. See?  Ya gotta have one.  Under $20.