Technology has made our lives easier and that also applies to the kitchen. Sure, the e-reader version of my grandmother’s recipe book will never replace the dog-eared, hand-highlighted copy but being tech-savvy in the kitchen does have its benefits.

For example, I spent a great deal of my life in dorms or student apartments where my kitchen motto was “If it doesn’t go in the microwave, I don’t know how to make it.”

When I finally settled into a house with a gloriously large and open kitchen, I needed to learn how to cook – fast. Luckily, I had received an iPad as a graduation gift and I put it to use. Applications like Epicurious and Pepperplate provided tons of easy recipes I could bookmark on my phone during free time. The apps wirelessly sync bookmarked recipes to my iPad for later use. I downloaded e-books in minutes, including my forever-handy copy of “834 Kitchen Quick Tips.” I could protect it all with the Chef Sleeve – a disposable plastic cover for the iPad with a package that doubles as a stand.

Whether you’re a novice like me or a seasoned chef, a little more technology in the kitchen can be helpful. You may not be ready to commit to the Smart Countertop (which recognizes food and suggests recipes as you chop) or the Intelligent Oven (which allows you to turn it on remotely via phone or Internet) but adding a few modern gadgets can go a long way.

Our intern is Desiree Johnson, a recent journalism graduate and Texas native. The 26-year-old loves painting, her dachshund Munchie and learning to use what she calls her “real, adult-sized kitchen.”