The kitchen is a controversial topic that can divide people into taking starkly different viewpoints on the subject. While some feel at home here, always ready to experiment with foods and prepare new meals for their families, others see cooking as a strenuous activity that must be done but only because it is a necessity, not because it is enjoyable.
And then, of course, are those that are just taking their first steps into the world of cooking. This category is getting accustomed to the ingredients and all it takes to prepare a meal. At the other end of the spectrum are those that can create an exceptional meal with just a few ingredients lying around in their fridge or make leftovers look like fare worthy of a Michelin star or two. At first glance, it’s easy to think these people have nothing in common, but that’s not true. They all need a good kitchen equipped with all the necessary tools to cook, bake, boil, roast, fry, broil and grill food. Here are the essentials.
Furnishings
It all starts with the kitchen units. They’re the most emblematic kitchen tool, the one you’ll instantly associate with the place. But the cupboards you have don’t only have an aesthetic purpose, but must also be practical and allow you to carry out your activities. Look for items made by kitchenwarehouseltd.com to choose from among a wide selection of stunning kitchen furniture pieces. Moreover, despite the beautiful design, you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank and spending a tremendous amount of money to redecorate your kitchen.
When choosing cabinets, you want to focus on getting ample storage space. Being able to fit all your appliances, cookware and utensils neatly in cupboards and drawers leaves ample room for cooking and makes cleaning much more accessible. You also reduce the possibility of an accident occurring.
Kitchen utensils
Part of the batterie de cuisine, the kitchen utensils are all the tools used for food preparation. There are many of them out there, so if you want to try your hand at experimenting with foods, you must be prepared to invest in some good-quality items that can last a long while so you don’t have to worry about replacing them all the time. If you’re not trying to improve your cooking abilities and have no plans to become too adventurous with the recipes you prepare, you can omit buying some utensils, as they can easily be replaced by others.
Cast iron skillets are one of the most critical investments for those who enjoy cooking fish and steak, but they can also provide you with an opportunity to make your own bread in a whole new way. Just be warned that learning how to use the pan efficiently takes some time, and you must know how to season it. Through this process, you coat the surface with a stick-resistant coating resulting from heated oil or fat. Cutting boards are also important, and you should have at least two. Using the same board for meats and vegetables can transfer pathogens to ready-to-eat meals like greens. To stop wooden chopping boards from cracking, make sure to oil them around every four weeks. It’ll keep them in mint condition for much longer.
Some utensils are both cookware and tableware. Knives are the most conspicuous representatives of this overlapping category, and every good kitchen needs a good knife. All-purpose chef’s knives are the best options since they can be used for everything from chopping vegetables, slicing meat, mincing all other ingredients and even disjointing larger cuts. If you’re just starting your cooking journey, you don’t want to spend a couple of minutes wondering which knife from the set you should choose.
A good food processor will help you cut shortening into flour for pastry crusts and dough, as well as allow you to make your own hummus, nut butter, grate cheese, blend smoothies or soups and whisk egg whites. Basting brushes might seem unnecessary, but they’re actually essential. The most obvious use is for baking, where you need a brush to spread the oil, melted butter or glaze on top of pastries or bread. However, they can also come in handy for roasted meats, where you use a brush for basting. Adding the drippings or juices to the meat as it cooks allows the skin to become crispy while the inside remains soft.
Tongs are another multipurpose tool that allows you to move steak on the grill or pick Chelsea buns from the baking tray. A silicone-tipped version is ideal if you want to be careful about removing foods without the risk of scratching the surfaces. Spatulas are also essential for mixing ingredients. The silicone ones are also the preferable option here, since they’re heat-resistant and won’t melt or become deformed under higher cooking temperatures. Whisks can be used to mix both dry and wet ingredients, including cake batters. And, of course, while you can peel vegetables with a knife, it’s much easier to do it using a vegetable peeler.
Hyper-specific
There are some kitchen utensils you don’t necessarily need in your kitchen per se, but if you know that you will use them, it would be a pity not to get them since they can make the cooking process easier and more enjoyable. An egg separator is one such tool. It is a device that catches the yolk and allows the egg whites to pass through. If you’ve discovered that you always pierce the yolks when you have to separate eggs and then have to start all over again, this tool is perfect for you.
Despite the name, apple corers can be used for other similar fruits, such as quinces and pears. They’re ideal when you need to quickly get a large amount of fruit ready for a dessert such as a pie. Baked apples must also be kept whole for cooking, so removing the nips and core in this manner is easier. Pineapple cutters largely operate on the same principle. A set of measuring utensils can also help you get your recipes right from the first try. Although it might seem easy, adding a little more of one ingredient can change a dish’s taste, texture and consistency and perhaps ruin all your hard work.
Cooking is something of an acquired taste, and you’ll have to go through a reasonable amount of trial and error to get it right. And there’s no better way to improve your rate of success than to have the right tools to work with.