I can still remember when I first moved away from the family home,
and my Mother's great home cooking, into my first apartment. First there was the joy and excitement of being on my own followed
quickly by the stark realization that I was on my own and had to feed myself. Delicious meals no longer appeared on the table as if
by magic.
Mom had equipped me with a few basics like a frying pan, some
dinnerware and flatware and my first cookbook, but my early attempts at preparing dinners quickly brought me to the realization
that I needed a lot more equipment in my kitchen. Each new recipe required another trip to the local kitchen store for some new pot
or kitchen gadget.
Are you now in the same situation I was so many years ago and just
starting out on your own. Or are you the proud parent of a son or daughter who is leaving the family nest for the first time.
Wondering what you need to start off with in your, or their, new kitchen.
Following is a list of the essentials every kitchen
should have.
Knives
Chef's knife, 10 inches (25cm), wide,
weighty blade for chopping or slicing. A versatile tool it's not called a Chef's knife for
nothing.
Serrated knife, 8 inch (20cm), for slicing bread and tomatoes.
Worth the investment.
Carving knife, 10 inch (25cm), with a long, thin, flexible blade
for accurate carving.
Paring knife, 3-4 inch (7.5-10cm)
Pots and Pans
Skillet, 10 inch (25cm), with a long handle and sloping sides
Saucepans, 4 cup (1 L) and 6 cup (1.5 L), with tight fitting lids
Saute pan, 10 inch (25cm), straight sided, heavy-bottomed pan
about 2 ½ to 3 inches deep
Appliances
Blender, inexpensive, purees everything from milkshakes to soup
Cutting board, hardwood maple is best but plastic ones will do.
Best to get one board for meats and another for fruit and vegetables, otherwise always be careful to use one side for meats
and the other for fruits and vegetables.
Grater
Rasp, metal carpenter's tool for finer grating and zesting
Turner or flipper, metal or coated, solid or slotted
Measuring spoons
Measuring cups for dry ingredients
Measuring cups for liquids
Mixing bowls, glass, small, medium and large
Pepper mill
Spatulas, rubber and heat resistant, small and large
Spoons, wooden, for mixing and stirring
Spoons, metal, slotted and plain, for stirring and serving
Whisks, small, medium and balloon, for sauces, beating eggs,
whipping cream
Can opener
Roasting Thermometer
Baking tray
Cleanup & storage
Plastic containers with lids for storing leftovers
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Waxed paper
Start with this list and you will be well on your way to a
well-equipped kitchen. Just tick off what you already have, print the list and take it with you shopping.
The old adage " quality pays for itself" really applies when it
comes to equipping your kitchen so buy the best you can afford. In future articles we'll explore more fully what and how to buy the
best quality for a price that fits your budget.
In the meantime, I strongly suggest that you find a good, reputable
kitchen store nearby. Preferably one that sells wholesale and retail, a place where both professionals and amateurs can shop and
especially one that has a reputation for knowledgeable staff. Start to build a relationship with that store now and they will
guide you in the proper selection of pots and pans and kitchenware that fit your budget and cooking requirements.
The Maitre D is the author of the Culinary Blast and the inspiration
behind Thousands and Thousands of Recipes and the Internet Maitre D. If you like food and cooking this is the place to be. Join Thousands
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