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The Basic Kitchen
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 Note
from Cheri
OK, 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. Once you have these things check out the
following links in case you want to take your culinary adventure
further.
Things your
kitchen really needs, but you can get by without if necessary.
The kitchen
wish list (you don't really NEED these things, but they make
life easier and they sure make you look like a fist class
chef!)
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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
- non-stick 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.
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