Delicious and nutritious meals begin with the right kitchen cooking equipment. Whether you’re an aspiring chef or a home cook, having the necessary cooking equipment is a must-have for anyone who wants to create exciting dishes that will impress their family and friends. Having the appropriate tools for prepping, assembling, and serving meals can ultimately give you a more fulfilled experience in the culinary world. From basic to specialty items, here are the essential cooking equipment for your kitchen.
Cookware
- Saucepan
Saucepans can be used for a variety of tasks. Whether you need to make a hearty soup, steam vegetables, prepare pasta or simmer sauces, this is the go-to cookware. Plus, they come in sizes ranging from small to large, so they are great for cooking single portions and big batches alike – versatility.
- Frying Pan
A good quality frying pan is one of the essential items for any kitchen. Perfect for making eggs, pancakes, or even searing meats and sauteing veggies. Plus, with its non-stick surface, you won’t need to worry about scraping leftovers after each use – just be sure to use non-abrasive cleaning tools.
- Sheet Pan
Versatile, reliable, and relatively affordable – these pans can get a lot of use. Roasting vegetables, toasting nuts, baking meats and cookies – you name it. They even make clean-up easy with their amazing one-pan dinners. No need to clutter counters or wash multiple pots and pans.
Utensils
- Knives
Investing in a good knife set is worth the money, as a high-quality knife will last you many years. Furthermore, having multiple knives will make meal preparation easier and more efficient. A chef’s knife is an all-purpose cutting essential that can easily slice through hard fruits and vegetables or chop proteins. Paring knives are ideal for smaller-scale tasks such as coring apples and making decorative garnishes. A serrated knife is also helpful for delicate items like tomatoes and soft fleshy peaches. To maintain your knife set, purchase a sharpening stone or use an electric sharpener to sharpen your blades periodically, depending on how often they are used.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
Every good cook knows that precision is key. Whether you’re measuring out ingredients for a souffle or portioning spaghetti for the whole family, having a set of accurate measuring spoons and cups is an absolute necessity in any kitchen. In addition to being poor cooks without them, we’d face quite a chaotic pantry full of overflowing flour bags and way too many eggs. And who wants that? Make sure to have at least one set of measuring utensils so your recipes are always perfectly cooked.
- Whisk
A whisk is a must-have in any kitchen – they are essential for emulsifying ingredients like kinds of vinegar and oils to create tasty marinades and vinaigrettes. While you can use forks and chopsticks to do the job, a whisk is far more efficient – plus, it’s much quicker. You can whip up flavorful vinaigrettes in just a few seconds to add a great finish to all complex salads.
Dishes, Tools, and Gadgets
- Cutting Board
A cutting board is essential for success in the kitchen, allowing you to safely and easily prepare food. Not only do they help protect your countertops, but they also provide a sanitary surface on which to chop, mince, and dice. Quality-made wooden cutting boards can last years with proper care, while plastic options are more budget-friendly and easy to clean. There are also stylish marble boards for prepping hors d’oeuvres and slicing fruits and vegetables.
- Bowls
From the big mixing bowls needed to knead the dough and bake cakes to the smaller prep bowls that are perfect for the organization regarding ingredient preparation, bowls are a must-have in any kitchen. Investing in quality bowls will help you get years of use out of them and they should also be able to withstand all sorts of wear and tear over time. If you opt for collapsible bowl sets, you’ll save yourself some counter space while still having access to quantity and quality. And what’s more, they can seal off ingredients until they’re ready to hit the heat or serve as sleek serving dishes.
- Salad Spinner
Having a salad spinner in your kitchen is essential if you’re going to eat your greens properly. Using a colander will take ages to get the lettuce dried, whereas a salad spinner can do it in seconds. This tool also comes in handy for drier ingredients – such as herbs – and will save you from misusing paper towels.
Cooking is a timeless art and requires the right equipment to create even the simplest meal. Knowing which tools to use for what purpose is key to making any dish successful, whether baking cakes or preparing homemade dinners. The appropriate tools in your kitchen can make all the difference between a delicious feast and an inedible disaster.
