Hate washing dishes? This story is for you 

Despite the popularity of cooking shows like Masterchef and My Kitchen Rules, many of us avoid experimenting in the kitchen, preferring to stick to what we know. Trying new dishes and techniques can seem risky, but there are simple ways you can mix it up in the kitchen with just one pot. And, you can save on dishes as a result!

From a simple wok to a Thermomix, these are five appliances you can use to cook unexpected dishes for the whole family to enjoy.

Thermomix: The latest Thermomix TM6 unites a whopping 20 kitchen functions in one bench-top appliance, removing the need for several pots and pans. It has 20 functions so you can blend, braise, chop, crush, caramelise, heat, knead, grate, grind, juice, mix, mill, mince, puree, weigh, whip, stir, steam, sauté, stew, slow-cook and sous-vide food. You can use it to make everything from ice cream to dumplings and even hokey pokey!

Crock-Pot: The classic crock-pot combines eight cooking functions, so you can pressure cook, saute, boil and steam. While it can cook a delicious dinner, you might not know that you can even make a whole loaf of bread in a crock-pot. Try herb bread, parmesan bread and even sweet recipes like banana bread.

Rice Cooker: Most kitchens have a rice cooker of some sort, used to cook rice to the perfect consistency. But there is a whole world of recipes that can be made in a rice cooker. Rather than making standard white rice, why not mix it up with sushi rice or sticky rice for an Asian dinner? The rice cooker can also be used to prepare full meals, including paella, fried rice and risotto. Aside from rice, you can also use it to steam veggies or bake a cake.

Nutribullet: Move over smoothies, the Nutribullet can be used to make so much more. With a 1200W motor, you can make soups or various dips like hummus. It’s also perfect for puree baby food that’s raw and hasn’t had the goodness boiled out of it.

Wok: The humble wok is most often used to cook mouth-watering stir-fries and tasty noodle dishes. While this might be a super simple recipe, a wok can also be used to make freshly popped popcorn for your movie nights. With the larger diameter, a wok is perfect for catching those kernels that want to escape.