Chef José Andrés Dishes on His Favorite Kitchen Essentials

La Dalia Bittersweet Smoked Paprika ($6)

When he needs to add a little extra kick to a dish, Andrés turns to Pimentón — a famous smoked paprika of Spain — for a flavorful boost. "It is made from a special pepper that's smoked over oakwood to give it an intensely warm, smoky richness. I love adding it to stews and sauces, eggs, potatoes, seafood, grilled meats — almost everything," says the chef.

Paella Pan ($66)

As far as underrated kitchen accessories go, Andrés is loyal to paella pans for one simple reason: "Because every family in America needs to be cooking more paella," the chef explains. This pan is made from a traditional steel material (so it's extremely durable) and is large enough to cook a paella that's big enough to feed 12 people. To get the most out of the dish, Andrés's own brand, Mercado Little Spain, recommends that users purchase a paella burner, as well.

Real Mesa Premium Dry Dog Food ($31, originally $33)

In his efforts to expand the dinner table and create high-quality dishes that everyone can enjoy, Andrés's pet food brand now gives families the opportunity to include their pups in on meal time, too. "My team and I, we were inspired by my favorite Spanish and Mediterranean dishes, as well as the healthy way of life of the people of the Mediterranean. All of our recipes use the best ingredients—like chicken, salmon, brown rice, chickpeas, kale, artichokes, figs, tomatoes, and more — so each bag of Real Mesa truly represents the fields, the mountains, and the seas of my homeland," says Andrés.

José Andrés Foods Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($29)

Andrés is a firm believer that every kitchen needs a staple extra-virgin olive oil incorporated into it — and is partial to Spanish variations, in particular. "You can use it in marinades for grilling, for brushing on fish and vegetables when they're on the grill, and as a simple dressing when everything comes off the heat," Andrés explains. While the chef notes that Arbequina olive works as the best oil for completing "lighter dishes," he also recommends blends like this Merula Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tin ($21, originally $23).

Amazon Basics 18-Piece Premium Kitchen Knife Block Set ($50, originally $68)

Dull knives can make prepping food feel like a chore, which is why Andrés likes to have plenty of different knives at his disposal — whether he's chopping veggies or slicing through thick meat. "I have Japanese knives, American knives, Spanish knives — just make sure you have the right tools for the job and you'll be okay," says Andrés. Earlier this year, the chef curated a guide to some of his favorite Amazon cooking essentials in a live segment, where he relied on tools like this Amazon Knife Block Set and the Amazon Basics Whetstone Knife Sharpening Wet Stone ($35, originally $46).

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