Cheap Secret Weapons That Will Transform Dinner

The Thought-of-Everything Colander

These baskets are the go-to tool for when you have to wash fruits and vegetables or drain pasta, grains or canned beans, but there are a ton of other uses for them, from storing fragile produce (berries, grapes, mushrooms) in the fridge to straining yogurt or soft cheese. This incredibly useful version collapses to almost half its length when not in use, has a separate section for seeds and stems, and features little feet and a handle that keep it off the bottom of the sink (a must for avoiding food's contact with the outrageously high number of bacteria hanging out there).

Progressive Collapsible Prep Colander, $8