Essential Cooking Utensils
Quality, not quantity, is what counts when it comes to buying cooking utensils. A basic supply of high-quality pots, pans, bakeware, and other assorted kitchen utensils — many nonstick and dishwasher safe — will making cooking easier and cleanup time shorter. Here is a basic list of tools that every busy cook should have:
Nonstick baking sheets: Be sure to buy two or more.
Complete set of pots and pans: Be sure to include a large pot for cooking noodles.
Complete set of plastic mixing bowls: For sifting and mixing ingredients.
Pepper mill: It takes only seconds to grind a few peppercorns in the mill, giving you fresh ground pepper with significantly more flavor than store-bought.
A metal whisk: Sometimes called a balloon whisk, a small metal whisk is perfect for mixing sauces.
Plastic cutting boards for cutting and chopping food: Plastic boards are easier to clean than traditional wood chopping boards.
Heatproof rubber spatula: Use to stir and turn food during cooking.
Measuring cups and spoons: Along with a complete set of regular measuring cups for liquid ingredients, be sure to buy a set of nested measuring cups that can be easily leveled off for measuring flour and other dry ingredients. Try to find liquid measuring cups that are microwave-safe — these are very convenient for quickly heating specific amounts of water or sauces in the microwave.
A complete set of knives: Buy the best that you can afford and have them sharpened regularly.
A metal steamer: For steaming vegetables quickly.
Strainer and colander: Look for metal or silicone colanders that are heat-resistant to high temperatures.
Containers for storing dry goods: Plastic is fine; just make sure there is a tight seal between the container body and the lid.
Microwave accessories: Microwave-safe plastic wrap and wax paper are frequently used in recipes that call for covering food while it is cooking.
Fact
It may sound contradictory, but a sharp knife is safer than a dull one. Trying to cut food with a dull knife forces you to use more pressure, increasing the chances of slippage. To avoid accidents, have your knives regularly sharpened by a professional, or consider buying a sharpening steel.
