Ready to start making some easy recipes on your own? Thinking about taking your culinary talents to the next level? Or maybe you want to control your hunger pangs in a healthier way?
Whether you’re a novice chef or an experienced foodie, you need the proper kitchen equipment on hand to get the job done. Make sure that all of the following items find a place in your home:
Knives
One of the most important additions to any kitchen is a good set of knives. While there are plenty of cheap, low quality options on the market, a set of good quality knives will last longer and make the cooking process much more enjoyable.
Specifically, look for either Japanese or German knives in either high carbon steel or standard stainless steel. Japanese knives tend to be thinner than their German counterparts, but they’re also much sharper. A good set – which should include paring knives, bread knives, chef’s knives and a 10” blade – will run you about 5,000 rupees. Budget accordingly, as your investment in these good, sturdy knives will pay off for years to come.
Pots and Pans
The second major purchase most home chefs will encounter in their culinary careers is a good set of pots and pans. Pots and pans come in a variety of different shapes, sizes and materials – the best combination will depend on your unique needs.
For example, though non-stick coated pans are popular, many people are concerned about the potential for chemicals to leech into their foods while cooking. If you fall into this camp, investing in a set of stainless steel or ceramic pots and pans may be a good way to reduce your chemical exposure (though you’ll pay more for the privilege).
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Whatever type of materials you decide to go with, make sure that your set includes a 10” sauté pan (or larger), two different sizes of sauce pans and a large stock pot for preparing pasta, soups, stews and other dishes.
Mixing Bowls
Whether you’re preparing sweet desserts or savory entrees, you’ll need a set of bowls that allows you to combine ingredients before cooking. Because recipes call for a wide range of ingredient quantities and types, look for a set of at least five nested glass or ceramic mixing bowls to give you some flexibility.
You might also find it helpful to have a plastic mixing bowl on hand for quick mixes that don’t require a heavier glass solution.
Cutting Boards
When it comes to meal prep, having a collection of cutting boards at your disposal minimizes frustration and saves you time. Cutting boards are available in both wood and plastic constructions and they tend to be relatively cheap. Invest in a few and you’ll never find yourself facing the frustrating delays of having to track down and wash your boards before you can begin to cook.
A Gas Stove
A rather obvious kitchen equipment as you will need to cook the food you plan to make. Now, the exact choice of a gas stove would depend on your needs, the space you have in your kitchen and the amount of food or meals you tend to make (or rather how regularly you plan to cook).
A 2 burner gas stove may turn out to be enough for a couple who don’t plan to cook too many meals frequently. But that won’t be the end of your selection process.
If you’re after more durability, better functionality and something that adds to the aesthetics of your kitchen, you may also want to consider going for a glass top gas stove.
Small Utensils
Finally, no kitchen is complete without the following utensils:
- Spatulas – Wooden utensils won’t scratch your pans (like metal ones) and won’t transfer chemicals to your food (like plastic options). Buy a few in different shapes and sizes to make cooking at home a breeze.
- Tongs – Tongs are used for flipping, plating, tossing and more. However you use them, they’re a vital addition to your kitchen.
- Peeler – Invest in a sturdy peeler to help break down potatoes and other fruits and vegetables, as cheaper options will leave your hands aching after a long day of cooking.
- Measuring cups and spoons – Obviously, you can’t follow a recipe if you can’t measure out your ingredients. Look for a set that includes a variety of different volumes so that your recipes will be spot on.
- Zester microplane – If you have a few extra dollars left over, a zester plan will make it easy to zest citrus fruits and grate cheese and nutmeg. Plus, you’ll feel like a top-of-the-line chef when you use this fun utensil!
Clearly, it can take both time and money to acquire all the different pieces of equipment needed to fully stock your home kitchen. However, if you plan to cook at home regularly, this investment will be well worth the savings over restaurant meal prices.