Essential Kitchen Tools
Kitchen knives
If you cook often and know your way around the kitchen then investing in a block set of butcher knives is worth the investment. My husband got me the Henckels butches block before we got married. I use it every single day and yet, after 12 years it still a beauty on my kitchen counter. Having said that if you are on a budget there are three must-have knives for every kitchen. A chef's knife for cutting meats and large veggies, a utility knife for your veggies and other things and a bread knife for cutting bread. In the interest of good hygiene, it's worth mentioning, don't forget to use a separate chopping board for your veggies and meats.
Kitchen pots and pans
A good quality set of pans in the kitchen will last you a lifetime. Again, If you cook often then investing in a set if often easier on the budget (if you choose the right set). When we got married we invested in a set of non-stick Calphalone and a set of stainless steel Calphalon which I am still using and love very much. Because I take care of my pans very well, often people are surprised that I've had them for over 12 years.
Here are a few pans that I think you need in a family based on what we cook. A large saute pan for chicken dishes and a small saute pan for the sides, a soup pot, a pasta pot. A small fry-pan for omelets and eggs and a large fry-pan for frittatas and French toast. If you love cooking then investing in a cast-iron skillet and a good Dutch-oven is like taking cooking to the next level.
Of course, if you cook everything like me then a wok for stir-fry kinda dishes is worth the investment. I'm Indian so cast-iron Tava for my flat-bead is a must. Living here we grill throughout the year so a stove-top grill is must-have for me.
Basic kitchen must-haves
Whether you are a novice cook just starting out or a chef with 20 years' experince, you will need these essential kitchen tools in every kitchen. A set of whisks, silicone spatulas for cooking, silicon spatulas for baking, wooden spoons, rolling pins, thongs, and of course, kitchen shears, pizza cutter, vegetable masher, potato ricer, grater, peeler, and zester, fine mesh sieve
For the baker in you
If you are a baker then, of course, you want to make sure you use a kitchen scale to weigh your ingredients (why should I weigh my ingredients) have a set of measuring cups for dry, measuring spoons, measuring cups for liquid, Pastry blender, Pastry Brush, and off-set spatulas.
Counter top appliances & electronics
- Food Processor - I have Magimix
- Hand Blender - I have Braun set
- Immersion Blender - I use Braun
- Stand Mixer - I use Kenwood K-Mix, Kitchen Aid is also good.
- Or Hand Mixer - I use mine a lot.
- Slow Cooker - I use mine once a week.
- Waffle Maker - used usually twice a month
Good to have attachments
- Ice Cream Maker - I use to have a Cuisine Art.
- Pasta Roller - with Kenwood or Kitchen aid or manual
