Those who love to cook know that having the right kitchen tools is necessary for executing culinary creativity with ease.
While there's nothing wrong with holding on to a well-loved skillet or that trusty wooden spoon that spends more time leaning on a boiling pot of water than it does in the drawer, some new and improved additions can make a big difference to whoever's in charge of cooking.
If that sounds like a mom in your life, chances are she's overdue for some serious kitchen upgrades. And what better time to gift the mom who loves to cook some new gear than Mother's Day?
Food Network host, cookbook author, blogger and mother of four Ree Drummond knows all about cooking for herself and a family, so "Good Morning America" tapped the "Pioneer Woman" herself to share some kitchen picks to shop in time for Mother's day.
Scroll to see her recommendations!
By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave Goodmorningamerica.com. These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than Goodmorningamerica.com. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Prices may change from the date of publication.
Chef's knife
"Hands-down, when asked what I think the most important kitchen tool is, I say a good kitchen knife," Drummond told "Good Morning America" in an email. "This incredible all-purpose knife is a favorite of mine, and I'm not sure where my kitchen life would be without it. It's very sharp and feels good in my hand, and its flat tip comes in handy in so many ways."
This knife's straight edge design and precision, tapered ground blade add versatility and efficiency to your kitchen. The Nakiri blade is hash marked to reduce friction and sticking, which makes it easier than ever to prepare ingredients for all your culinary creations.
Mandoline
Drummond also suggested investing in a mandoline to help make slicing and other prep work a breeze. The tool is commonly used in professional kitchens to achieve perfectly uniform slices from ultra-thin to julienne cuts.
A stainless-steel mandoline is the way to slice everything from fruit to vegetables. A turn of the soft dial selects slice thickness and julienne setting. Its handle keeps your hand out of the way and provides a comfortable grip. Plus, the flaring legs and non-slip feet add stability while slicing and it's dishwasher safe.
A workhorse pan
"For the moms that love cooking, I think this everyday pan with a handle would make such an awesome gift," Drummond wrote. "It’s oversized and has high sides, so you can make sauces, stir frys, or even soups. I actually have this pan in all three colors, because I use it so much and I love having the variety to make my kitchen look great!"
A lightweight cast aluminum sauté pan with non-stick coating that's dishwasher safe. Decorated with a vintage-inspired speckle print and finished with gorgeous olivewood printed accents; comes in three colors.
Electric grill
"I also think a good indoor electric grill is such a cool gift for moms, because sometimes you want to make grilled chicken or a juicy grilled burger without having to go outside in the wind or rain, or during the winter months," Drummond said. Check out her pick below.
Sous vide
"My last upgrade for moms that love to cook would be a precision cooker," she said of the sous vide water bath technology that has been adapted for at-home use. "These have typically been used by professional chefs in restaurant kitchens in the past, but are becoming more widely used by home cooks to cook fish, meats, and veggies and to warm pre-cooked foods evenly. They also retain flavor and nutrients in wonderful ways."
Make perfectly cooked steaks, fish and even eggs every time with this compact precision cooker from Anova. Built for everyday use, this cooker connects with the Anova app so you can monitor meals, search new recipes and more. The compact size of this cooker means it stows away easily in a drawer for reduced clutter.
If you go with this gift, grab mom some reusable silicone bags or a vacuum sealer to seal up foods to submerge underwater, where they're cooked with precise temperature control for even, perfect results.
Nonstick and stainless steel pans
"While it's definitely great to have items in your kitchen that have multiple uses, there are certain tools that you should keep in your collection that have specific purposes based on what you're cooking up," Drummond explained. "A great example of this is a nonstick pan versus stainless steel. When searing meats or making a sauce, I usually will opt for stainless steel, as they distribute heat more evenly. Nonstick pans are uniquely useful, too. I will typically use them for eggs, cheese sauces, and everyday pasta dishes."
Decorated with a gorgeous ombre design in a vibrant teal color, this pan provides excellent heat conduction and uniform cooking. Made with a riveted stainless steel handle that offers comfort and convenience while cooking.
All-Clad's original three-layer bonded Stainless Steel cookware line pairs classic style with modern practicality. The ergonomic handle ensures comfort during use while the pan's broad surface is ideal for browning, frying and sautéing. Its gently sloping sides simplify turning and removing foods. With the lid in place, it's also great for simmering and braising.
Various knives or knife set
"I also highly suggest having different types of knives on hand because there are various uses for each of them," Drummond said. "I love my signature knife for slicing, dicing and chopping, but a utility knife is also a versatile option with even more precision."
She continued, "For finer chopping or peeling, I'll tend to grab a paring knife -- the small size is so great for very specific jobs. Having a block with a few different knife styles is key, so what you need is ready and waiting for you to grab it."
Stand mixer
"Most people think stand mixers are all about baking, but I use mine for so much more," Drummond said. "I love using it to shred chicken, mash cooked potatoes, and knead bread and pizza dough, to name a few. It helps save time and my arm muscle."
This smaller version of the commercial-size models is a versatile stand mixer, designed with enough power and capacity to prepare large batches of cake batter or cookie dough without compromising your kitchen counter space.
Immersion blender
"Another tool that helps me save time, and bowls, when I'm in a pinch is an immersion blender -- they are capable of a lot, like mixing fruit for smoothies, crushing veggies for sauces, party dips and even grinding coffee beans," Drummond said.
Designed for the perfect puree. This KitchenAid 2 Speed Corded Hand Blender features an 8-inch removable blending arm and includes a 3-cup blending jar with lid for individual blending jobs. It can be used to serve direct from or to store your blended creation for a later use.
Bench scraper
"I really get a lot of use out of my bench scraper, too. Its intended purpose is to scrape dough, but it's a lifesaver for prepping food. After chopping, you can just scrape it into a pile, scoop it up, and transfer right into a pan, leaving your cutting board clean as well. It also is a great tool to cut brownies, lemon bars, and other bar desserts."
ABC News' Casey Delbasso contributed to this report.
