Essential Kitchen Tools for New Cooks

So you say you want to learn to cook? You can’t wait to get into your kitchen and really give cooking a try but you’re stumped about where to begin. Well the best place to start is to make sure your kitchen is properly equipped. Here is a basic list of essential kitchen tools that will get you started on your new passion: cooking!

The first thing I would recommend is some good quality stainless steel measuring cups. These durable kitchen items will be used often in your cooking and baking adventures and their long lasting finish will keep them in top shape for years to come; I’ve had mine for more than 17 years!

Second, buy yourself a good set (get a great set if you have the budget room!) of sharp knives. I use my Santoku knife every day and have never regretted spending more than one hundred dollars on that single knife. You should buy at least two: one large for chopping vegetables and one medium sized knife that will come in handy for cutting meat and poultry. You may also want to add a paring knife to your collection as well.

Another essential tool in the kitchen is a good cutting board. They are normally made of wood or plastic with both having their advantages and disadvantages.

Wood cutting boards look great and are very durable but you must clean thoroughly after each use in hot soapy water and rub with a specially formulated oil to preserve the wood from drying and cracking.

Plastic cutting boards are much more affordable and are easier to clean because most are dishwasher safe.

Some really good pots and pans are also important. Two non-stick sauté pans (one large, one medium) and a great cast iron pan (may as well go with the large as this pan will last a lifetime!) should cover you to start with. Two of the greatest advantages of cast iron are their ability to go straight from the stovetop to the oven and they are a breeze to care for.

Finally, there are a few gadgets and gizmos that every home cook needs in the kitchen. They can certainly make life a lot easier. A few of my favorites include: A potato peeler A cheese grater A colander to strain pasta A set of mixing bowls

There you have it - a few kitchen essentials to get you started. Now it’s up to you to get in your kitchen and start cooking! Before you know it, you’ll be cooking up a storm!

Once you have the essentials then you can splash out on some kitchen gadgets but before purchasing it is a good idea to check out reviews e.g. Panasonic Bread Machine, the Cuisinart 7 Cup Food Processor, and Mom's favorite Kitchenaid Mixer Accessories.