I just heard about the Favourite Kitchen Gadgets event over at Posie's Place, by way of Ilva at Lucullian Delights, and thought I'd share mine here. (The deadline is tomorrow, so if you want to play, grab your camera!)
I have a lot of favorite tools and gadgets -- the Microplane, my new mezzaluna, my "new" stove -- although since I am prone to clutter, I try not to have anything in the kitchen that cannot be used for more than one job. (Out went the flour sifter, for instance, and I use instead a simple, washable sieve. Sometimes this rule is impossible to follow, of course!) But the two things that give me the most pleasure when I reach for them are some of the most basic tools that have ever been in a kitchen.
My favorite mixing bowl, marked "Poppy Trail by Metlox" on the bottom. I bought this at a second-hand store, many years ago. I love the rather tall, narrow base and the little flare at the top, like a California poppy; it fits the crook of my arm perfectly, and mixing things in it is a joy.
An olive-wood spatula from "The Frugal Gourmet" utensils collection, more than a few years ago now. I enjoyed watching Jeff Smith's show on public television, but the reason that I bought this spatula was its beauty. The grey-brown wood has a lovely grain and a wonderful silky smoothness that makes it a pleasure to hold in my hand, and like a beloved book that has become soft and velvety around the edges has only improved with time.
