| You don't need a high tech kitchen in order to | | | | from liquids such as vegetables from boiling water. |
| create Michelin star worthy food. But here are | | | | Again, the variation of slotted spoons is |
| some essential kitchen tools and equipment that | | | | mind-boggling. Some of the slots or holes come in |
| every kitchen needs. | | | | absolutely beautiful patterns and modern designs. |
| ESSENTIAL KNIVES FOR THE KITCHEN | | | | Tongs |
| A chef without a knife is like a conductor without | | | | A can opener. One of the most overlooked items |
| a baton. A strong, sharp knife is probably the | | | | on any camping trip. Pick a side opening can |
| most used tool in the kitchen. These are the | | | | opener rather than the old style top opening ones |
| most useful knives you will need: | | | | to save cutting yourself on sharp lids. |
| A chef's knife. Also known as a French knife. A | | | | A bottle opener. You need one that can open |
| chef's knife is an all-purpose knife usually between | | | | both cans and bottles. |
| 8 to 14 inches long (20 to 36cm). It is a large | | | | Kitchen scissors |
| multi-purpose knife used for chopping, mincing and | | | | A grater/shredder |
| slicing. | | | | A strainer or colander For draining excess liquid |
| A paring knife. This knife as a plain edge blade like | | | | from foods such as pasta, vegetables and fruit. |
| the chef's knife. It is a small knife, useful for | | | | A sifter. For sifting the lumps out of flour. |
| cutting smaller items and for delicate work such | | | | Paper towels. Paper towels in the kitchen are not |
| as removing the vein from prawns, or scraping | | | | just for cleaning up spills, but also for soaking up |
| the seeds from a chili. | | | | the grease and oils from fried foods such as |
| A serrated knife. A serrated knife has grooves | | | | bacon and for removing water from meat such |
| and is useful for cutting soft bread without | | | | as chicken before you roast it. |
| crushing it. | | | | KITCHEN TOOLS FOR MEASURING AND |
| A knife sharpener. A knife should be sharpened | | | | ACCURACY |
| just before each use. | | | | A set of measuring cups |
| Bonus tip for your kitchen knives. Storing knives | | | | A set of measuring spoons |
| in a traditional knife block keeps the blade sharper | | | | A kitchen timer. Look for a timer that has a long |
| and is a safer option that keeping them in a | | | | time range so you can time low roasting/cooking |
| drawer. | | | | recipes. I like the timers that have a magnetic |
| POTS AND PANS | | | | back so they can be stuck on the fridge and out |
| A medium-sized saucepan | | | | of the way. |
| A big saucepan | | | | Kitchen scales. Pick scales that have different |
| An oven pot | | | | weighing units: pounds and kilograms and is capable |
| A frying pan or skillet. Used for frying, browning | | | | of weighing very small quantities of food. |
| and searing food. If you buy a non-stock frying | | | | A meat thermometer |
| pan, be careful never to heat it above 240 | | | | KITCHEN STORAGE ITEMS |
| degrees centigrade (465 degrees Fahrenheit) as | | | | Storage containers with lids. I prefer glass storage |
| the coating may decompose and release toxic | | | | containers over plastic ones as they do not |
| fumes. | | | | contain BPA and rarely stain. Pick kitchen |
| A baking or casserole dish.A baking dish is usually | | | | containers which are freezer-safe, |
| made from oven-proof glass, a baking pan is | | | | microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe. |
| made of metal. | | | | Storage canisters. Good for storing dry goods |
| A round baking pan. You might have to buy | | | | such as flour, sugar and oats. |
| different sizes according to the specific recipes. | | | | Plastic wrap |
| A wire cooling rack. Great for letting roasts and | | | | Re-sealable plastic bags. Don't waste your food. |
| cakes to cool without the bottom getting all | | | | Even fairly small amounts of leftovers can be |
| soggy. | | | | packaged and frozen for future use. I even |
| KITCHEN UTENSILS | | | | freeze egg whites (if, say a recipe only called for |
| Two cutting or chopping boards. One for meats | | | | egg yolks), wine and fresh fruit (great for |
| and one for non-meats. | | | | smoothies) |
| A set of mixing bowls. Small, medium and large. | | | | ESSENTIAL KITCHEN ITEMS FOR SERVING |
| Glass is better than plastic. | | | | A set of serving dishes |
| A large mixing spoon. Either Wooden or plastic. | | | | Platters |
| Spatulas. Good for flipping, rotating and removing | | | | Plates |
| food and also for scraping clean mixing bowls. Buy | | | | Bowls |
| heat-resistant rubber or silicone ones for | | | | Cups |
| day-to-day use. Metal ones are best for BBQs. | | | | Mugs |
| A rolling pin. Nothing wrong with traditional wooden | | | | Wine glasses |
| rolling pins, but these days you would not believe | | | | Drink glasses |
| the variety of rolling pins available. The Chef's | | | | Napkins |
| Delight 18-inch Aluminum French Rolling Pin for | | | | Cutlery. Knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons and |
| example is designed to be chilled in the fridge | | | | soup spoons |
| before rolling, which helps the dough roll out more | | | | With these kitchen essentials, you are all geared |
| smoothly. | | | | up and ready to become the next Jamie Oliver or |
| A slotted spoon. Essential for removing solids | | | | Julia Childs. Happy cooking. |