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The Basic Kitchen
So you want to start cooking but you're
not sure where to begin? Before you boil your first egg, let along turn out
a spectacular meal, you have to have the right equipment. These lists pertain
strictly to cooking equipment, we are not talking dishes to serve the food
on, tableware, etc. It is also assumed that you have a stove and oven.
Now don't just go out and buy everything on the list. Some of these items
are only necessary for certain tasks. For example, pie pans are only necessary
if you plan to make pies (or if you're bored and want to learn to juggle).
If pies aren't your thing, you don't really need the pans. If one specific
use isn't given, however, you can probably assume that you will need the
item in question at one time or another during your culinary adventures.
Here is a list of the bare bones minimum you should have in your kitchen.
Use the links on the left to view what some of these items look like.
On to the bare essentials list:
set of measuring cups - cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup, 1/8 cup
set of measuring spoons - teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4
teaspoon
nonstick skillet(s) - one small about 8 inches in diameter, one large
about 12 inches in diameter.
pots and lids - one small, one medium and one larger, deep stock pot.
spatula - plastic if using no-stick cookware.
cake pans - if you plan to do any baking at all get a set of two 8
or nine inch round cake pans.
baking sheet(s) - a large rectangular baking sheet or two will come
in handy
springform pan - essential for making cheesecake and many other types
of cake. This pan has a separate bottom which the side part fits around.
The side has a hinge that tightens it onto the bottom. When it's time to
take the cake out of the pan, you simply open the hinge and life the cake
out.
loaf pans -- essential only for making certain kinds of breads or
cakes. The disposable tin foil ones will do if you don't want to invest in
the real thing.
pie pans -- essential only of you plan on making pies. The disposable
tin foil ones will do if you don't want to invest in the real thing.
wooden spoon(s) -- get a few, you'll be glad you did!
garlic press -- these range in price from a couple of bucks to twenty
or thirty. Don't buy the cheapest model, it will break easily (beware of
plastic handles) and not do the proper job. Ikea carries a decent garlic
press in the five dollar range.
knives -- invest in a couple of good knives. You will need a small
paring knife and a larger chef's knife. A medium size in between wouldn't
hurt either. A "Ginsu" type serrated knife is also indispensable, they really
are as good as the commercial says, they last forever and are very inexpensive
too. I've had my "Ginsu" for about 12 years now and it's still going strong
(yes, I have used it to cut aluminum cans just like the commercial and it
still slices tomatoes just fine).
rubber spatula(s) -- these are handy for scraping every bit of batter
out of a bowl, the last bit of mayonnaise out of a jar and hundreds of other
uses. Rubber spatulas usually come in sets of a couple different sizes (handy,
but not essential). It is important the rubber spatula is flexible. The cheaper
models are too stiff and thus cannot do the job they were meant to do. Also,
do not put these on the bottom shelf of your dishwasher, they will melt!
electric mixer -- a hand held electric mixer is essential. You can
get by without a lot of more expensive pieces of kitchen equipment if you
have this one.
mixing bowls -- a set of mixing bowls is a must. Get at least three,
a small, medium and large. If you can, invest in an extra-large mixing bowl.
If you're ever having a party or cooking for large groups (or making lots
of leftovers) you'll be glad you have it.
slotted spoon -- a large slotted spoon is necessary for removing items
from liquids
grater -- a grater is necessary for grating cheese, vegetables (cabbage
and carrots for coleslaw come to mind), citrus zest etc. One grater will
usually have several different sets of blades for grating different textures
and sizes. Graters can be clumsy and time consuming and there are many other
gadget that can do their job, but make sure you have something in your kitchen
that can grate.
colander -- for draining pastas, vegetables and anything else that
has been cooked in hot liquid
strainer -- a wire mesh strainer will come in handy for washing rice.
Used like a colander it can separate food from cooking liquids or to strain
large pieces out of sauces, etc.
By having these items on hand you should be able to assemble and prepare
hundreds of delicious meals for your family.
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About the Author
Cheri Sicard is the editor of FabulousFoods.com, a content rich online cooking
community. She lives in Los Angeles.
http://www.fabulousfoods.com
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