For many people around the world, men and women alike, the kitchen is their favorite room in the house. It’s not hard to imagine why. The kitchen is the center of the house and the fairytale place where all the tasty treats come from. For those who love to cook, the kitchen is a haven where stress is relieved and passion is flared as recipes are tried and spices are mixed. That is why, if you are one such person, you must have these essential items in your kitchen. They say an artisan is only as good as his or her tools; well, here are yours.
NON-STICK FRYING PAN
Can you even call it a kitchen if it’s missing a non-stick frying pan? We think not. If you don’t have a nonstick frying pan, making breakfast must be utter and complete hell for you. We know that those eggs and pancakes like to stick on surfaces and make a mess, which is exactly why you need this pan. Having it will prove to be a game-changer, and you will experience an elevated level of cooking. Don’t think it’s just for breakfast either; this super versatile pan can be used for searing meats, sautéing vegetables, and making sauces. Just be careful to use non-abrasive tools on the surface, or else you’ll scratch all the nonstick coating and be left with a regular pan. Though it requires more care and maintenance, a cast-iron skillet is also a great non-stick pan to use in the kitchen. The best part about cast iron is that it transfers easily into the oven and will last a lifetime, unlike non-stick coatings applied to other pans. Do you need any more reasons to find yourself headed to the store for these items? We doubt it.
SAUCEPAN
Though often neglected, the saucepan is an essential kitchen tool for anyone who takes their cooking craft seriously. Its multi-functionality makes it dependable and very useful. For starters, a saucepan is perfect for when you need to cook something with liquids, such as boiling pasta and vegetables or simmering sauces and beans. We’re sure you do this often, so you can appreciate its importance. When you pick a saucepan, find one that is a good size. The answer to that lies in how many members are in your household, so pay close attention to this. Whichever size you go for, our recommendation is to either make it a nonstick one or a stainless steel one, depending on the cost options. You definitely can’t go wrong that way.
STOCK POT
This item might not interest you if you live alone, but for those who have large families and friends that they cook for, the stock pot is a necessary item to have in your kitchen. The stock pot can be used for bigger batches of soups, stews, and pasta. I can only imagine how fantastic the meals cooked here are. Also, given how it’s got a large, flat base, your soups, regardless of the contents, will cook very evenly.
SHEET PANS
Sheet pans are a must-have for your kitchen as they can get a lot of action, including roasting vegetables, baking meats, toasting nuts, and, of course, baking cookies. They also make for easy clean-up with sheet pan dinners. That way, you get the best of all worlds at the low cost of just having a sheet pan. You ought to run to the store to get one.
GLASS-BAKING DISH
A lot of people view the glass baking dish as a pure luxury, but it’s not; it’s actually a necessity. You see, the glass baking dishes are perfect for baking things like casseroles and enchiladas in the oven. With its clear dish, you can also see the food as it gets cooked, and as a food fanatic, I’ve got to say that’s fun. Also, because it’s microwave-safe, an 8-inch size can fit into a microwave for the times you need to pre-cook vegetables during those moments when your oven and stove are in use. With all that said, how can you not want to buy a glass baking dish today?
KNIVES
Okay, look, I’m not trying to offend you by saying the most obvious thing in the world, but knives are a must. Obviously, you already have a knife, but the specific knife we’re referring to right now is the chef’s knife. It will entirely simplify your cooking process if you are careful to fork out the coins for a good one. If you go through this process, we highly recommend getting a serrated knife and a paring knife as well, since they serve different purposes. Serrated knives let you slice through tomatoes and bread with ease, and paring knives are great for smaller, more delicate jobs where a big knife just doesn’t cut it. This is one purchase that we know you won’t regret.
MEASURING SPOONS
Don’t stick to your grandmother's way of cooking that made use of eyeball measurements. Even though it worked for her, I don’t want you to put yourself at risk by putting a dash of too much pepper. Do yourself a favor and go buy measuring spoons. For those more complex recipes that require precision, measuring spoons will be your best friend. What makes it even better is the dual utility that exists, as these tools double as mini spoons for scooping spices and dried herbs! Talk about getting a complete bang for your buck.