People often ask me what they need to stock their kitchen. I tell them to purchase the best you can afford, take care of it and your never have to purchase another one again… well almost never — some things do wear out. Purchase knives that feel good in your hand, cookware that is substantial and heats evenly and utensils that are sturdy and well designed.
Here is what I recommend when anyone ask what they need to equip their kitchen.
FOR BAKING
Essentials
8 x 8 inch pan
9 x 13 inch pan
10 inch pie pans, heavy aluminum or glass
Cooling racks
Cookie sheets
Jelly-roll pan (also called half -sheet pan)
Loaf pans
Muffin tins
Bundt pan
Stainless bowls, various sizes
For the serious Baker
Ramekins in various sizes
Gratin dishes in various sizes
Cake Pans in various sizes 6, 8, 10 inch round and square
Cake Plate(s)
Silpat (one for each half sheet pan)
Silicone mini muffin cups (Le Creuset)
Copper sugar pot
Spring form pans
Popover pans
Tart pans with removable bottoms, various sizes
FOR COOKING
Essentials (All-Clad, Mauviel, Le Creuset)
Stainless steel saucepans in various sizes
Stainless steel fry pan
Stainless steel sauté pan
Cast Iron Skillet (Lodge)
Heavy roasting pan
Heavy enameled Dutch oven or French coccotte
Enameled or stainless stock pots for stock, tomato sauces and soups
For the serious Cook
Non-stick frying pans, 6” and 10”
Wok
Copper, stainless steel sauté pans and bowls for crepes and soufflés
DINNERWARE & SERVE WARE
Essentials
Serving platters in various shapes and sizes
8 – 3 piece place settings (bowl, salad/tapas plate, dinner)
Flatware
Glassware, including wine glasses such as Riedel
For Serious Entertaining
3-Section serving dish
Handled soup tureen with ladle
Large serving bowls
ELECTRICS
Essentials
Electric hand mixer (Kitchen Aid or Cuisinart)
Standing Mixer (Kitchen Aid)
Great to Have
Food processor (Cuisinart )
Blender (Vitamix is the Rolls-Royce of blenders)
Electric stand mixer (Kitchen Aid is the only way to go)
Coffee grinder for grinding spices
KNIVES
Essentials (Wüsthof-Trident – Great all-around knives)
Paring knife
8 or 10-inch chef’s knife
Boning knife
Serrated bread knife
Slicing knife
Diamond steel for knife sharpening
Great to Have
4-inch paring/utility knife
Tomato knife
Tapered paring knife
Santoku Knife
Sausage/brunch knife
EVERY KITCHEN MUST-HAVE
Essentials
Rolling pin
Measuring spoons
Measuring cups, dry and wet
Bowls of various sizes
Parchment paper
Wooden spoons
Vegetable peelers
Scissors
Cotton kitchen string or twine
Pastry brushes
Strainer
Fine mesh sieves of various sizes
Colander
Metal spoons with and without holes
Ladle
Whisks of various sizes
Spatulas
Box grater for hard and soft cheese
Corkscrew
Mandoline
Great to Have
Soufflé dishes of various sizes
Food mill
Pasta machine
Baking stone for pizza-making
Pizza peel
Mortar and pestle
Salad spinner
Skewers
Small Asian sauce bowls
Batter Bowls
FAVORITE COOK’S TOOLS and ITEMS I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT!
Microplane zester
Digital instant-read thermometer
Spoonula (cup-shaped , heat resistant rubber spatula), different colors
People often ask me what they need to stock their kitchen. I tell them to purchase the best you can afford, take care of it and your never have to purchase another one again… well almost never — some things do wear out. Purchase knives that feel good in your hand, cookware that is substantial and heats evenly and utensils that are sturdy and well designed.
Here is what I recommend when anyone ask what they need to equip their kitchen.
FOR BAKING
Essentials
For the serious Baker
FOR COOKING
Essentials
(All-Clad, Mauviel, Le Creuset)
For the serious Cook
DINNERWARE & SERVE WARE
Essentials
For Serious Entertaining
ELECTRICS
Essentials
Great to Have
KNIVES
Essentials
(Wüsthof-Trident – Great all-around knives)
Great to Have
EVERY KITCHEN MUST-HAVE
Essentials
Great to Have
FAVORITE COOK’S TOOLS and ITEMS I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT!