Every great chef has great tools. But I'm not about to tell you to go out and buy five hundred dollar knives.
There are, however, a few things that are essential. Many people have a lot of these things already around the house - some of them are used frequently, others maybe not so much.
Here are the food storage basics:
1. Aluminum Foil
2. Plastic Wrap
3. Ziplock bags - at least in the sandwich, quart, and gallon sizes
4. Freezer Paper
5. Freezer Tape
6. Reuseable Storage Containers - I'm not picky about brands as long as they are in convenient sizes and don't fall apart too quickly
Here are the bare-bones essential kitchen supplies/appliances (note: this assumes that readers have a fridge, freezer, and a stove with a range top - either electric or gas):
1. Saucepans with lids - at least 2 (one small and one large) but 3-4 is best
2. Frying Pan - at least 1 large (the size of a large dinner plate)
3. At least 1 large non-serrated knife (such as a santoku knife or a general kitchen knife)
4. At least 1 small serrated knife (steak knives or a serrated paring knife will do)
5. Cutting board
6. At least 1 whisk
7. At least 1 plastic spatula (like the ones used for baking)
8. At least 3 wooden spoons
9. Strainer or Collander
10. At least 1 plastic spatula (like the ones used for flipping pancakes)
11. Measuring spoons
12. Measuring cups (both for dry ingredients and for liquid)
13. Mixing bowls (I recommend buying a set of 3 or more with different sizes - if you have ones that look somewhat nice they can also double as serving bowls if you are having company)
14. Baking Pans - at least 1 muffin tin, 2 cookie sheets (one smaller and one larger), 1 loaf pan, 1 9X9X2 in pan, and 1 9X13 in pan
15. Vegetable Peeler (yes you can peel things with a knife, but this makes life soo much easier)
16. A slow cooker - I own both a small and a large - but I recommend at least investing in a small one - they only run about $15 if you get them at a drugstore or walmart/kmart/target and you can do sooo much in them!
17. An Ice Cube Tray
Other Non-Essential (but highly recommended) items:
1. A hand mixer (once again - they run about $10-15 dollars at walmart/kmart/target)
2. A single-cup blender (like the magic bullet, or GE makes one as well that has diswasher safe parts)
3. A small food processor (kitchen aid as small ones that run about $40 dollars at Sears and you can make everything from marinades and vinaigrettes, to pie crust and cookies in it)
4. A french press coffee maker (not only good for making coffee - can also be used for any number of liquid infusions (teas, marinades, dressings, etc))
5. A George Foreman Grill
6. A Rice Cooker (Takes all the complications out of making rice! All for about $10 at CVS...)
7. A Toaster or a toaster oven
There are, however, a few things that are essential. Many people have a lot of these things already around the house - some of them are used frequently, others maybe not so much.
Here are the food storage basics:
1. Aluminum Foil
2. Plastic Wrap
3. Ziplock bags - at least in the sandwich, quart, and gallon sizes
4. Freezer Paper
5. Freezer Tape
6. Reuseable Storage Containers - I'm not picky about brands as long as they are in convenient sizes and don't fall apart too quickly
Here are the bare-bones essential kitchen supplies/appliances (note: this assumes that readers have a fridge, freezer, and a stove with a range top - either electric or gas):
1. Saucepans with lids - at least 2 (one small and one large) but 3-4 is best
2. Frying Pan - at least 1 large (the size of a large dinner plate)
3. At least 1 large non-serrated knife (such as a santoku knife or a general kitchen knife)
4. At least 1 small serrated knife (steak knives or a serrated paring knife will do)
5. Cutting board
6. At least 1 whisk
7. At least 1 plastic spatula (like the ones used for baking)
8. At least 3 wooden spoons
9. Strainer or Collander
10. At least 1 plastic spatula (like the ones used for flipping pancakes)
11. Measuring spoons
12. Measuring cups (both for dry ingredients and for liquid)
13. Mixing bowls (I recommend buying a set of 3 or more with different sizes - if you have ones that look somewhat nice they can also double as serving bowls if you are having company)
14. Baking Pans - at least 1 muffin tin, 2 cookie sheets (one smaller and one larger), 1 loaf pan, 1 9X9X2 in pan, and 1 9X13 in pan
15. Vegetable Peeler (yes you can peel things with a knife, but this makes life soo much easier)
16. A slow cooker - I own both a small and a large - but I recommend at least investing in a small one - they only run about $15 if you get them at a drugstore or walmart/kmart/target and you can do sooo much in them!
17. An Ice Cube Tray
Other Non-Essential (but highly recommended) items:
1. A hand mixer (once again - they run about $10-15 dollars at walmart/kmart/target)
2. A single-cup blender (like the magic bullet, or GE makes one as well that has diswasher safe parts)
3. A small food processor (kitchen aid as small ones that run about $40 dollars at Sears and you can make everything from marinades and vinaigrettes, to pie crust and cookies in it)
4. A french press coffee maker (not only good for making coffee - can also be used for any number of liquid infusions (teas, marinades, dressings, etc))
5. A George Foreman Grill
6. A Rice Cooker (Takes all the complications out of making rice! All for about $10 at CVS...)
7. A Toaster or a toaster oven
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