Well+Good's Alt-Baking Bootcamp series, dedicated to creating delicious baked goods that are low-sugar and nutrient-rich, always drum up a lot of comments on social media. Most are about the baked goods themselves, raving about how well they turned out when someone tried it at home or asking questions related to the ingredients. But there's also a lot of comments that aren't about the baked goods at all. Instead, they're about the functional-but-beautiful baking tools host Mia Rigden (a nutritionist and chef) uses to whip up her delicious treats.
Why Ridgen uses that particular blender, where the world she found such a chic salt shaker, what the brand is of her handy countertop burner...Well bakers, we've seen your questions and we brought them right to Ridgen herself who is happy to reveal where everything is from. Keep reading to find out and to see videos showing how to use them to make mouth-watering desserts.
- Mia Rigden, chef, nutritionist, and the founder of RASA, a company specializing in individualized nutrition programs
7 must-have baking tools, according to a healthy chef:
If you tune in regularly to Alt-Baking Bootcamp, you know that this blender gets used a lot. “It’s my go-to blender,” Rigden says. “The Beast is compact, powerful, incredibly quiet, and super easy to clean.” The low volume is especially appreciated on set during filming but will be just as much of a perk at home when you’re trying to create creamy fillings for pie and homemade dairy-free whipped cream without annoying your whole house.
See how it’s used to make vegan pumpkin pie in the video below:
Sometimes, a blender just isn’t powerful enough to do what a food processor can. (For example, transforming nuts into a protein-rich puree.) In these moments, Rigden reaches for her Cusinart food processor. “It’s a must-have kitchen tool,” she says. “It’s great for making doughs, nut butters, dips, and sauces.”
KitchenAid mixers are ubiquitous in both professional kitchens and in pro-bakers’s homes for a reason: They’re freaking amazing. This model has an almost perfect five-star rating from over 4,000 Amazon reviewers. There are a whopping 10 different speeds so you can whip however fast or slow you need to.
See how it’s used to make gluten-free blueberry muffins in the video below:
Ridgen uses this cooktop whenever she needs to double-broil something. If you post your baking adventures on social media, it could come in handy for you too because it allows viewers to see what you’re doing without the whole stove being in the way. This one is easy to tote to wherever you’re filming and has sensors that track the temperature of the pots and pans you place on it.
See the Cusinart Tasty One Top in action in this video, showing how to make vegan fudge:
You aren’t going to be able to do much cooking or baking without any cookware. “Non-toxic nonstick pans are a game-changer, and I love this well-designed and functional set,” Rigden says. Each item is so pretty, you might not even want to hide them in your cabinets.
Okay, so a $200 salt-and-pepper set isn’t exactly a must-have, but this is the most gorgeously designed duo you’ll find out there—which is exactly why Alt-Baking Bootcamp viewers often ask where they’re from. “This set is chic and functional,” Rigden says. Consider it art that you’ll actually use every day.
White ceramic kitchenware makes your baking creation really pop; nothing will distract from your delicious food. “These are my everyday bowls,” Rigden says. Sometimes, simple really is best.
There you have it: Seven kitchen tools that will take your healthy baking game to the next level. Now the only question that remains is, what will you use them to bake first?
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