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I know, I know... I'm already thinking about shopping but it's true and I'll tell you why. I've been taking some time off over the holidays and this means lots of time watching cooking shows which has motivated me to add yet another resolution to my 2009 list - beef up my skills in the kitchen and eat out less. I have a few things I'd love for my kitchen this year and since a few are ones that I think you'll love I'll do a little show and tell... ready?

First up, a tea kettle. An electric one. A portable tea kettle not only uses less energy (yay!) than a stovetop kettle (up to 50% less energy) because it boils water super fast but tea gurus will tell you that the perfect water temperature can make or break a good cup of tea. I love the Breville from Williams Sonoma but at $150 it's a little out of my price range. If it's in your budget I highly suggest them. You can even boil eggs in it because the heating unit is not inside of the kettle but on the bottom. (Tip: If Breville is a name you love, you can find a similar kettle at Amazon made by them for $68 here.)

The Breville is at the top of my list but it's expensive, so I found another electric kettle that should do the trick: the Protor Silex tea kettle at Amazon. It lacks some of the features that the Breville has but in the end I just want hot water fast so I'm not that particular. It's in white and the heating unit is inside the actual pot. I purchased one in Germany for my apartment over there and used it for everything for tea but also for instant soup and hot cocoa. I drink A LOT of tea, at least two cups a day. I replaced coffee with tea back in August and I've never looked back.

Another electric kettle option if you want a stainless steel electric kettle like the Breville, only an affordable version opt for the Aroma kettle at Amazon for $31. I prefer stainless as I don't have to wonder if I'll die from the former model with all that plastic potentially getting into my water. This is the kettle I've added to my wishlist.

Okay enough kettle talk. Now let's get down to cooking and food, mainly sweets. I really like cupcakes and muffins and find the 'lids' the best part, don't you? The Crown Heart cupcake pan is perfect for me for this very reason, a larger lid, or crown, on top not only gives you more to love but more to decorate. And it's shaped like a heart, how cute. This one is available at Williams Sonoma for $24.

And do you want to see what I'm DYING to own? I can already hear the next dress size calling my name but this pan and what you can do with it just may be worth it. I've had this thing on my mind for at least a month and I've decided that while I won't use it every single day, I will use it more than I do some other pans in my kitchen so I think I'll donate those to charity to make room for the Ebelskiver Filled-Pancake Pan for $40, also at WS. I love the idea of making filled pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar and I'm already thinking of Nutella-filled pancakes... You can watch the how-to video here if you'd like to know how to use this clever pan.

And finally, the Herbes de Provence. I not only love that they come in a sweet little ceramic holder, but everyone I talk to about them seems to love this melody of herbs (thyme, basil, savory, fennel and lavender) that can be used to season meats, french fries, and more for $16.50 (yes, Williams Sonoma).

A few additional items on my 2009 wishlist include: a new baking sheet that isn't warped and a few new wooden cutting boards. What about you, are you inspired to cook more in the new year? With so many on budgets that limit dining out, it's a good time to stay in and whip up some of your own creations. Once you spend the initial investment for the tools that you'll need, you'll start to notice all of the money you're saving by eating in.

What's on your wishlist for the kitchen?

(images from amazon and williams sonoma)

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