Has it been atypical for you to spend time cooking in the kitchen? Are you curious about getting started but aren't quite sure how?
Don’t allow a little intimidation to stand in your way! Cooking is just a skill that you can learn and improve at any time, no matter how young or old you are. Start with the basics, consistently build upon those, and one day you could be throwing ingredients together without even looking at a recipe!
To get started, however, you'll need tools. You won't go wrong investing in the following items:
Measuring Cups and Spoons
A set of dry measuring cups
One liquid measuring cup – at least 8oz/1 cup
A set of measuring spoons
Mixing Bowls
Stainless steel or glass are nice to have. Plastic is okay.
Knives:
Chef’s knife: versatile for chopping and slicing a variety of foods.
Serrated: convenient for slicing bread.
Paring: best for making smaller cuts like trimming and coring.
Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
Investing in a set could be the most efficient way to start. Look for a set that comes with:
A small and medium-large sized pan, better known as a skillet – great for sautéing, pan-frying, or steaming.
An 8 qt. stockpot – essential for boiling long pasta, or making soup.
At least one saucepan – good for making rice, boiling eggs, making small volumes of sauce, or hot beverages.
Scrapers & Spatulas
Silicone scrapers are ideal for baking, stir-frying, or making scrambled eggs. Metal or spatulas are perfect for flipping eggs, meat, fish, or vegetables.
Spoons
Metal and wooden are ideal materials rather than simple plastics which can burn. A slotted spoon is helpful to have on hand, too.
Tongs
Great for tossing and serving salads, tossing veggies in a skillet, or turning meats, fish and poultry.
Whisk
You’ll find the whisk can combine ingredients in ways a spoon cannot! Don’t skip this essential tool.
Strainer and Colander
Having both is great, but you could get by without the colander until you know for sure you need it.
Baking Sheets
You will LOVE these for baking whole meals or perfectly roasted veggies in the oven!
Blender – immersion or high-performance countertop
The immersion blender is a smaller and handy tool that’s lovely for making blended soups right on the stovetop, without transferring back and forth between a countertop blender. Though high-performance countertop blenders are the best for working through frozen fruits to produce the smoothest smoothies.
Depending on your needs in the kitchen, there could be more added to this list, but these items should put you in an excellent position to get going with a variety of culinary adventures. But wait – you can’t prepare a meal without food! Check out our Essential Kitchen Ingredients and have your kitchen stocked with exactly what YOU need.
Need a little more help in the kitchen?
Submit your questions to alyssa@fabulous-nutrition.com
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