Essential Kitchen Tools
Baking sheet Cookies, pizza, granola,
they all require a baking sheet.
Bread Pans If you plan on baking
your own bread, that is...
Can Opener Unless you have terrible
arthritis, get a manual one in case the power
goes out (plus they’re cheaper)
Colander I like to have two around: one
with fine mesh for rinsing tiny grains and so on,
then one with larger holes for draining pasta.
You really don’t need one at all if you rinse
grains right in the pot, then use your hand to
keep them in as you pour off the water. Pasta can
be drained using the lid, as well. If you do buy
a colander, get a metal one since you’ll be
pouring nearly boiling water through it. Pouring
boiling water over plastic, with your food in it,
seems not too good an idea...
Cutting Board Two of these is a
good idea as well: one for meat and one for
everything else. There are two main choices of
materials: plastic and wood. Plastic is easily
sanitized, and so considered safer by many.
Proponents of wood say it is just as sanitary as
plastic, as the capillary action of wood pulls
bacteria into the cutting board, where they die.
Quality wood cutting boards will also take a
longer time to become “scarred” because the knife
cuts between the wood fibers instead of through
them. If the cutting board does begin to show
signs of age, it can be planed down and used for
years to come. I’d like to have a really nice,
big, wooden cutting board one day, but until then
I’ll happily use my plastic ones. Whichever you
choose, try to find renewably sourced materials.
Grater Find one with large and
small holes, for cheese, carrots, etc. and the
smaller side for citrus zest.
Ladel A good soup ladel will be useful
for everything from pouring pancake batter to
serving soup, just get a non-aluminum metal one
instead of plastic.
Masher If you don’t have a food
processor, get a good potato masher, it will come
in handy again and again.
Measuring Cups You don’t really
need “liquid” and “solid” measuring cups; a glass
two cup measure is great, and all you’ll need to
start. You can get smaller and larger ones if you
find the need.
Measuring Spoons Tablespoon,
half, quarter, and full teaspoon
Mixing Bowls Small, medium, and large
should do it...
Mortar and Pestel You don’t need an
electric spice grinder if you have one of
these.
Pot Holders Get at least two nice,
thick, sturdy ones
Rolling Pin If you don’t want to buy
one, just use an empty bottle
Sifter You’ll need one of these for so
many baking recipes, plus kids love to help by
turning the handle. You can use a fine mesh
colander instead, but it has to be completely dry
or your flour will clump instead of
sift.
Spatula Eggs, pancakes, grilled cheese,
the list goes on...
Steamer Basket Not absolutely necessary,
but nice to have. Keeps your veggies above the
surface of the water so they are lightly steamed
instead of boiled. An easy thrift store find.
Tongs Easy flipping, no burnt
fingers
Vegetable Peeler There are people who
can peel apples, carrots, potatoes, you name it
with a knife. I’m not one of their talented
number, I need a peeler. There are a few
different varieties, whichever works for you is
fine.
Whisk You can use a fork for small jobs,
but might need an actual whisk for making whipped
cream, etc.
Wooden Spoons These are just as safe as
wooden cutting boards, and have so much
character. I also like how quiet they are, never
making an obnoxious scraping noise against the
side of the pot. Get a long and a short handled
one for big and small jobs.
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