Trust Ina Garten to season her food the proper way. The Barefoot Contessa is one of the most recognized faces in American cuisine – meaning her East Hampton kitchen is filled with professional appliances.
Here at Homes & Gardens, we take pleasure in scouting through her Instagram posts (not least because her monochromatic space is beautiful in its own right), where Garten is generous with not gatekeeping her go-to products. Most recently, we came across her favorite pepper mill, almost by accident, as her endorsement is easy to pass by.
When Garten posted a video on Instagram making the homemade croutons (as seen in her Cook Like a Pro cookbook), it encouraged a viewer to ask which pepper mill she uses. My pepper mill is called PepperMate, and it's the best,' Garten says. When the Barefoot Contessa reveals the best pepper mill on the market, there's nothing else to do but introduce it into your routine.
This elegant ceramic pepper grinder, looks great on your table, or countertop, just as it does in Garten's iconic home. It features a clear acrylic panel that makes it easy to see when you need to fill. Described as 'consistently reliable,' it features variable settings, all of which can be changed by a simple twist of the Key Grind mechanism.
While it's always interesting to discover which products Garten uses, we're less surprised by her use of freshly ground black pepper instead of a pre-ground alternative. Naturally, pre-ground is convenient, but fresh pepper has a distinctly stronger, more vibrant aroma (thanks to the newly released essential oils). It's a more aromatic and flavorful way of seasoning food, and as a chef, this isn't lost on Garten.
The Peugeot company in France first manufactured a pepper mill in 1874, and since then, designers have experimented with varying models – some with knob twist, crank, ratchet, or motor. However, no matter the shape or brand, they all use gravity to feed peppercorns into a grinding mechanism. PepperMate began making pepper grinders in 1982 and, since then, has been used in gourmet kitchens and on TV cooking shows. Although, Garten's is our favorite to date.
If you're an aspiring home cook and looking for kitchen essentials, Garten's pepper mill is a must-have – but it's not the only appliance we've spotted in her kitchen. Below, you can find three more essentials, including her special, European-designed sponges (available from Williams Sonoma).
These fluffy, compressible sponges are some of the most absorbent on the market, easy to store, and all-natural. With Ina Garten's endorsement, it really can't get any better.
Alongside its 50-watt motor (designed to give this juicer incredible power), we love its built-in stainless steel strainer that catches pits and pulp, ensuring smooth and pulp-free juice every time.
This 10-piece set features knives with triple-riveted synthetic polypropylene handles that resist fading, discoloration, heat, and impact. The blades are precisely laser-cut and stamped for superior quality and value.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
7 things you should never put on a porch to avoid fire, security and pest risksRugs, pottery and ambient lighting may look nice but unless they're built for outdoor use, they can be a recipe for disaster
-
'English country house meets Palace of Versailles' describes the mood of this exuberant vacation home on Lake SaranacThis alluring former cabin in the Adirondacks has been redesigned for the owners to indulge in leisure time
-
Ina Garten's Hamptons home features a risky 'no paint' exterior – but the warm, country aesthetic pays off for a masterclass in rustic but elegant styleThe Barefoot Contessa swaps traditional paint with a bare wood look at her home in the Hamptons – experts say it's difficult to maintain, but the look is beautiful
-
Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten's favorite 'Boos Block' cutting board is truly the best – and I will never use another brand ever againThis food preparation essential could be everything your kitchen needs
-
Ina Garten swears by these European-style sponges – they are ultra-absorbent, space-saving, and perfect for washing fine cookwareA well-organized, clean kitchen is easy to achieve with these innovative continental sponges that the Barefoot Contessa uses in her own kitchen
-
Ina Garten uses this juicer for smooth and pulp-free juice every time – the Barefoot Contessa's go-to is currently under $50The chef-approved juicer only takes up eight inches of counter space – making it accessible in even the smallest of kitchens (and there's no better time to buy)
