Cooking Equipment

Basic Cooking Equipment: Essential Skills

Basic cooking equipment can make the difference between pure joy and a nightmare. Even if you are a cooking newbie, you'll have experienced both to some degree. Are you a college grad who can't tell a wok from an electric skillet? Maybe you've just retired after a busy working life eating out at restaurants or enjoying take-outs in front of the TV. No matter what your background, you can only benefit from discovering the must-have cooking pots that transforms a hell-hole with a sink and cooker into a well-functioning culinary feast factory.

Knives and Spoons

Spoons, knives and forks constitute three of your most essential pieces of cooking utensils. We're not talking about the flatware that you use to eat, but specialized items intended to help you manage your cooking. To kick off by taking a look at spoons, there are certain types that you shouldn't be without. Top of your list should be a full set of measuring spoons. These should range from a one-eighth teaspoon to a full-on serving spoon. Next on your list should be stirring spoons. It's a good idea to get hold of a range wooden, Teflon and metal spoons, both with and without slots.

No kitchen is properly equipped without a good set of knives. In fact, a good knife set is probably the most important element in your arsenal of cooking equipment. A good knife set is often stored in its own dedicated wooden block which would house paring knives, utility knives, steak knives and bread knives. And no knife set would be complete without the testosterone stimulating chef knife and meat cleaver - essential cooking equipment!  Only my coffee grinder and coffee machine get used more often.

Pots and Pans

Nobody can begin cooking in a well-appointed kitchen without cooking equipment like pots and pans. Cooking pots are used to create soups, cook pasta, and prepare sauces. Pans are used to fry and sauté meat, fish and eggs. Non-stick pans will allow you to create healthier dishes as you will not have to use so much cooking oil. Stainless steel pans are friendlier on your pocket, but are harder to keep clean. Cast iron and copper pans are pricey, but aesthetically top-draw. Whichever material you plumb for, it's a good idea to try and cover the entire range of sizes. You don't want to end up cooking a one-egg omelette in a paella pan. No modern kitchen is complete without a wok. There are so many healthy, quick and simple recipes for woks.

The Odds and Ends

There are several miscellaneous items essential if you want an ordered kitchen that is easy to manage. Whisks and tongs, measuring cups for both dry and liquid goods will make it easier to follow the full-range of recipes. As well as these, you'll find a cheese grater, a colander and a potato peeler absolutely essential. More assests are baking pans and casserole dishes so you get to try out your oven now and again. A cooking apron is also a must, especially if you love cooking things that sizzle and sputter on top of your hob. Howver, perhaps the most essential cooking equipment of all is the baking stone so you can create mouth-watering entrées, hor d'ouevres and, most importantly of all, desserts.