Cookware is always a hot topic. I've seen chefs do even the simplest of cooking tasks and take more than needed to service your medium sized oil tanker (even if that's not the best use for your cookware) when all that's really needed is a knife and something else to sharpen it. with.
So, what are some basic cooking essentials that you really can't do without? Surprisingly, you actually need very few things to get started. Maybe a lot less than you already have.
All the cooking utensils you need are a good knife, sharpener, cutting board, and a few pans. Maybe you like a little more cookware, but you can only cook with it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm just as addicted to a kitchen full of blenders, mixers, utensils and various useful gadgets and miscellaneous as the next person.
But while high-quality inexpensive cookware (yes, it's possible) like grinders and blenders give you more options, there's a lot you can cook without, but a good knife, or three, is a must.
The first and foremost cooking utensil you will need is a chef's knife, as large as you want, an 8-inch knife with a blade that bends slightly to allow wiggling is a good place to start, then a smaller knife, about 4 inches, for chopping small vegetables and carving knife.
If you buy one that is about 10 inches long, it can also double as a bread knife. Although there is no point in buying extra knives just to fill the pockets of major kitchen utensils manufacturers. Kits can actually be very cheap and give you a lot more for the same amount of money. But first, carefully check what is included in the kit.
If you can't find a kit with what you think is useful to you, don't buy it. Many kits come with extras like a wooden knife case or block, but try a free gift. It's so much better to have a few fine knives in your drawer than a beautifully polished block of beech wood with fifteen designer knives, fourteen of which you'll never use and one that won't fit your hands properly and cause blisters.
I have a small French sabatier set, not too expensive, which is comfortable but doesn't look as sophisticated as some of the more modern models like the Japanese global, which I find too light, making chopping a lot of vegetables a lot more. difficult.
If you learn how to use it properly then a steel or sharpening stone is a good way to keep your knife sharp, otherwise there are a variety of patented sharpeners that will keep the knife at the right angle as you pull it through the blade. The skillet must also be of good quality, not excessive, no need to spend deeply. Just make sure they have a good sturdy construction.
This promotes good heat distribution and helps prevent scorching. Stainless steel is a good choice. A good skillet, on the other hand, should be made of mild steel that is thin and very inexpensive, but always has a good, well-fitted wooden handle. The best place to buy these incredibly useful pans is (perhaps unsurprisingly) usually your local Chinese supermarket. A good cutting board is another necessity, although two is better than one as it helps avoid cross-contamination if you are using one for raw meat/fish etc and the other for things like fruit and salads. .
As much as you think you will always be careful and wash it between uses, it is the best way to prevent food contamination of food. A blender can come in handy if you plan to bake a lot. But if you don't bake bread regularly (always a good idea), then buying a high-quality basic hand mixer instead of the standalone heavy version can save you a few hundred dollars and a lot of table space.
Blenders come in handy for soups and smoothies from time to time, and grinders give you more options for nuts, etc. and will provide a steady supply of fresh coffee for even the crazier cook. A great way to combine the qualities of all three is to purchase a food processor.
A good quality machine like the Moulinex or Robot coupe saves space and allows you to buy a much better processor than if you purchased their items separately. There is an almost endless list of kitchen utensils you can buy (if in doubt, go to your local cookery store and ask the owner what you think you need!), but make sure you pick the basic cooking utensils right and it will make the cooking work. easier and more fun.
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