We are minimalists and would rather do something meaningful than own something meaningless. Therefore, our kitchen is very basic but these things have made a difference.
Ninja Master Prep Professional On the advice of one of the better cooks here in Thailand we carried one of these back with us. We had to get a 220V/110V converter transformer but it was worth it. This is a compact but strong blender and we use it for everything from chopping spices to making fresh peach and banana smoothies. Eating well is a bit easier with this tool.
Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife Set with Block and In-Block Sharpener Oh, I wish we had this set here in Thailand! Having had trouble in the airport in the past we figured we had better not bring knives onto an airplane even in checked baggage. We have not found anything even close here. The knives here are dull, disgusting, and impossible to clean. These knives, however, are easy to take care of and easy to clean because they are all stainless steel and taper smoothly from handle to blade without any seams or crevices to trap the gunk that can never be cleaned properly.