When you are just beginning your cooking journey, it can be frustrating and confusing to search for the right cookware and kitchen essentials. When you have no prior knowledge, the learning curve can be steep.
However, when you spend years honing your cooking skills, trying and testing recipes, and planning meals, you learn which tools are indispensable in a multi-functional and versatile kitchen.
Whether you’re putting together your kitchen from scratch or replacing old appliances, ensuring your kitchen is stocked with the proper tools is essential. It’s easy and fun to cook when you have essential kitchen tools at your fingertips.
Here is a collection of useful kitchen essentials that make cooking a breeze.
1. Spatula
Think again if you consider a spatula to be useful for baking only. Spatulas have many uses in the kitchen. For instance, a metal spatula is essential for tossing and flipping; think of preparing curry, stir-fried vegetables, sautéed meat, puffy pancakes, frying donuts, and omelets.
Comparatively, a silicone spatula is essential for scraping the sides of a mixer or food processor, applying frosting to cakes, or folding eggs and cheese.
The uses of spatulas don’t just stop here; you can also use them to take out and serve food. Spatula blades are usually slanted to facilitate liquid flow.
If you wish to buy the perfect spatula for your kitchen needs, you must learn about the different kinds of spatulas. A detailed guide can help you make the right choice the first time around.
2. Knife
A decent chef’s knife is a good investment for a beginner kitchen. Dull knives are more likely to slide around on slick produce and are harder to use effectively. Both of these conditions are conducive to accidentally cutting one’s hand.
If you’re going to use a knife regularly, ensure to choose one with a high-quality blade. Despite the widespread availability of kitchen knife sets, most kitchen tasks require only one or two knives. When choosing your top-quality knife, ensure it fits comfortably in your hand so you can use it effortlessly.
If you need a unique blade for your cooking, you can always purchase a more purpose-specific knife later.
3. Cookware
Do you need a set, or an individual pot may work? Since pots and pans are usually expensive (and highly essential), they require serious consideration before buying them.
When buying cookware, consider cost, quality, and material first. Aesthetics may be an important, though subjective, factor. However, when deciding whether to purchase a cookware set or individual items, the answer isn’t black or white. A lot depends on the need of the hour.
A saucepan is ideal for small gatherings. It can be used to make stock or boil frozen foods or to make ramen noodles for beginners. When cooking for one, go for a saucepan with at least 3 quarts.
If your daily kitchen demands cooking for a large group, go for an eight or seven-quart Dutch oven. Dutch ovens are suitable for use on the stovetop or in the oven, and it is great for searing meat and slow-cooking stews. (It’s like the old-fashioned slow cooker.)
Additionally, a Dutch oven can make crackly-crust bread and be used instead of a saucepan. Due to its multi-purpose features, it’s no surprise it’s considered a top choice. Since they are expensive, you should save each penny and buy this useful kitchen item after proper research.
4. Baking Tray
There are many names for baking sheets, such as sheet pans or baking trays.
Suitable for baking pastries, this pan is flat and rectangular and is commonly used in ovens. Alternatively, you can use it to heat your pizza or bread. Plus, it is perfect for seasoning meat and vegetables thanks to its flat surface.
When purchasing a baking sheet, it is recommended to buy aluminum ones since they are long-lasting and versatile. Also, it is best to avoid non-stick. If you intend to make pastries that require a non-stick surface, ensure your bakeware is free of PFOA and PTFE. Some manufacturers make non-stick coatings with potentially hazardous materials.
5. Rolling Pin
Whether baking, cooking, or both, a rolling pin is a necessary kitchen item. With a rolling pin, you can create crisp tart cases and biscuits every time, no matter what pastry, cookies, or scones you make.
A rolling pin is essential for achieving perfect thinness when making fresh pasta without a machine, especially for filled pasta, where the dough becomes double in thickness after being rolled out. A simple roll on the floured surface is also the key to springy homemade pizzas or delicate dumplings.
Rolling pins can last long when used carefully, but they must be suitable for the purpose, as each pin is different. Choosing one can be tricky with various sizes, shapes, materials, and designs available in the market. Each style and material is intended for specific purposes in the kitchen, so before choosing, consider what you plan to cook and bake most often.
6. Blenders
The blender makes kitchen work quicker and easier. You can utilize a blender to make smoothies, prepare soup and dips, or even whip up a milkshake with little effort.
When choosing a blender, you can pick from countertop blenders and hand blenders. A countertop blender has a 4–8 cups container made with plastic, glass, or stainless steel.
Plastic blenders tend to scratch and absorb the aroma of blended foods. In contrast, glass blenders have more stability and are heavier. Stainless steel blends food well, but it obscures the food’s appearance.
Hand blenders, instead of having a container of their own, have a rotating blade mixing head submerged in another container. They are useful for mixing large volumes that cannot fit into a countertop blender or for broths that are dangerously hot to pour into another container. Additionally, these are ideal for specific and small tasks; they are not as versatile as countertop blenders.
Conclusion
Those who love cooking and spend most of their time in the kitchen are highly organized, fast on their feet, and skilled at artistry and precision. If you want to become better at cooking, buy the tools you can rely on and those that can make cooking at home easier. Invest in the best spatulas, cookware, knives, rolling pins, and whatnot. While the equipment list does not end here, these are some of the essentials for every kitchen.
Leave a Reply