Smallwares and utensils are at the heart of every Kitchen. Or, to use another metaphor, they are like additional hands and fingers to us, that we use to create and mold culinary masterpieces. They are like our senses and provide us with a 'feel' for the dish we are cooking and tell us what and how to do. The following is a list of the most important culinary equipment every “star” Chef should have in their kitchen:
Pots & Pans
Pots and pans are the most essential culinary equipment to have in a fully stocked kitchen. After all, it’s where most of the cooking happens. Although it’s not necessary to spend a small fortune for pans, purchasing the best quality a budget will allow ensures that the pans will last a very long time. Purchasing cast iron or stainless steel pans are highly recommended. For the starter Chef, the rule of thumb is to have, at the very least, the following pots and pans on hand:
- 12” skillet for frying and sautéing
- Nonstick skillet for cooking eggs
- 6-8 quart Dutch oven for stews, soups, potatoes and pasta
- Small to medium saucepan for sauces, rice, and vegetables
- Utensils
- Neil. Moralee / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Listed in order of their importance, the first ten tools are absolutely obligatory in any kitchen. Once some cooking time has been logged and a good amount of recipes are under the belt, move down the list and add the other utensils as needed:
- Set of measuring spoons, dry stainless and liquid glass measuring cups
- A large and small cutting board
- Can opener
- Ladle for soups and gravies
- Metal tongs
- Four-sided standing cheese grater
- Colander or strainer
- Peeler
- Corkscrew
- Potato masher or ricer
- Long-handled fork/slotted/wooden spoons
...culinary equipment to add later:
- Whisk
- Oven mitts
- Meat/turkey baster
- Thermometer
- Kitchen timer
- Collapsible vegetable steamer
- Hard rubber spatulas
- Kitchen Shears
- Oven and Baking Dishware
- For mixing, cooking or baking…everyone’s must haves:
- Set of mixing bowls (glass or metal)
- Casserole with lid
- Set of glass baking dishes
- 13” x 9” oblong baking pan
- 9” x 9” square pan
- Two 9” x 9” round cake pans
- Two 14” x 17” baking sheets
- Two 9” x 5” loaf pans
- Glass or metal pie plate
- Large roasting pan and rack
- Knives
Just like pots and pans, don’t skimp when it comes to kitchen cutlery. Knives that are of good quality will keep their sharpness and last a long time. If on a tight budget, buy fewer knives of higher quality. In the knife drawer or block should be:
- 3” to 4” paring knife
- One short and one long serrated knife
- 8” to 10” chef’s knife
- Electronics
Yes, most things can be done by hand without electronic culinary equipment…but why? Ever tried to beat egg whites into meringue with a spoon? Butter and ice cream can be churned by hand too, but today we don’t have to - that’s why electricity was invented! Here are recommendations for electronic culinary equipment to have at one’s disposal:
- Hand held electric mixer
- Food Processor
- Stocked and Ready to Cook
A great kitchen is a stocked kitchen that contains all the essential tools and culinary equipment needed to cook up a dream. Hey, it’s as easy as pie!
Photo credit: MSH* / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
See all Culinary Equipment and Kitchen Utensils at http://www.culinarydepotinc.com/smallwares
