If you are just learning your way around the
kitchen-especially if you have
just moved into a new home--you may lack the essential
utensils and cookware to create delicious meals quickly, easily and efficiently.
There are some basic staples every cook should have
stocked in their kitchen to make meal prep a breeze-especially
as a beginner! Read on to find out what tools you should never cook without.
Basic utensils
- Good quality knives. Slicing and dicing can be one of the
most time-consuming parts of the cooking process. Make prepping meat, chopping
veggies, and mincing herbs easy with sharp, high-quality knives. A large chef's
knife and a smaller paring knife are must-haves.
- Spatula. Spatulas are crucial for flipping burgers, fish,
eggs, pancakes, and various other items easily. A large, heat-resistant spatula
will slide smoothly under the food to flip it and lift it effortlessly without
any sticking or disintegration. A slotted spatula leaves behind excess oil or
liquid for a no-muss meal.
- Peeler. Peeling veggies with a knife can time-consuming,
difficult and even dangerous. A vegetable-peeler will streamline the process and
prevent cut fingers.
- Grater. For shredding, shaving, and zesting, a versatile
box grater with multiple grate options and a sturdy handle will help you with
various cooking tasks--from topping your pasta with fresh parmesan pasta to
adding citrus zest to your fish. Stainless steel works best.
- Ladle. Essential for serving sauces and soups, a large
"bowled" ladle with a bent handle will make it easy to hook onto the side of the
pot when not in use.
- Can opener. Get a smooth-edge model that cuts around the
outside of the can rather than inside. It produces clean, smooth edges and your
lid will never fall inside the can.
- Tongs. Non-slip handles and scalloped edges give you a firm
grip and make tossing veggies or flipping cutlets a cinch.
Basic pots and pans
Non-stick frying pan with lid. A good
frying pan is every beginner cook's staple kitchen tool. Versatile and essential
for simply, easy-to-prepare recipes, they can be used to brown, sauté, and fry a
variety of diverse dishes. Omelets, burgers, stir fry, sautéed veggies, cutlets
and chops, fish, and grilled cheese are just a few of the different foods that
can be prepared quickly, easily and deliciously with a sauté pan. Make sure to
get one that's non-stick to avoid common beginner disasters, and get one with a
lid for braising. Having a smaller pan for things like eggs and a larger one for
bigger meals is best, but if you must get only one, opt for a medium-sized.
- Saucepan. Make clean-up simple with a nonstick saucepan.
Perfect for preparing soup, vegetables, rice or sauces, a two-quart saucepan the
perfect size to prepare meals for one or two. Make sure the handle is
comfortable and easy to grip.
- Large boiling pot. When cooking for more people, a bigger
pot is useful for boiling large quantities of pasta, potatoes, and eggs, making
homemade tomato sauce, or preparing soups or stews.
Other tools
- Measuring cups and spoons. If you're a beginner chef,
adhering to recipe measurements is vital. Have a set of both wet and dry
cups-they are designed differently to accommodate the distinct qualities of both
wet and dry ingredients. Glass measuring cups can hold hot liquids and have
spouts for pouring. Dry measuring cups have leveled tops that are easy to fill
to the brim with flour, rice, chopped veggies and other dry ingredients.
Measuring spoons are also a useful addition for adding spices and other small
portioned ingredients.
- Cutting board. Whether you opt for wood or plastic, a
cutting board making chopping safe and simple. While plastic boards are durable
and easy to clean, wooden cutting boards are easier are your blades, keeping
your knives in pristine, super-sharp condition. When using boards to chop and
slice meat, fish, and produce, be vigilant in cleaning and sanitizing all
surfaces (and your hands) to avoid contamination.
Mixing bowls. A good set of versatile
mixing bowls has a variety of uses-mixing everything from cake batter to salad
dressings; serving pasta, sides, and salads; and even storing left overs. Get a
set of varied sizes that fit neatly together in your cupboard. Lids are a plus
for storage.
- Colander. Wash your fruits and veggies, strain pasta, and
drain cooked vegetables with a colander. Available in both plastic and metal,
the stainless steel varieties are more durable and longer-lasting.
- Pot holders and oven mitts. Safety in the kitchen should be
your number one priority. Protect your hands from scalding burns with a quality
set of pot holders and oven mitts. Make sure they are well-fitting,
well-insulated, and flexible. Silicone pot holders specifically offer high heat
protection for your delicate hands when you reach into your
oven.