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Cook properly: have a fully equipped kitchen

There are basically two main categories of essential staples for a well-equipped kitchen. The first is the equipment and the second is something to prepare. You shouldn’t have to rush out and buy a lot of kitchen equipment or stock up on carts full of groceries if you do a little planning.

TEAM

In addition to the essentials – a sink with hot and cold water, oven and stove burners, and a refrigerator – you’ll need a variety of kitchen utensils, something to drink, cooking utensils, and tableware. Kitchen utensils first.

Cookware comes in a wide variety of materials and finishes. There are many schools of thought on what is best, so much of the choice is a matter of preference, as most cookware will do the job. Personally, I prefer stainless steel and have some favorite cast iron pans, but I also have glass or Pyrex that I use often. You should look for some basic sizes in any set you buy.

  • 10 skillet for sautéing, making sauces, frying and a plate of meals
  • 2- and 4-quart pot for heating vegetables or cooking grains like rice, reheating canned foods like soups, and boiling small amounts of foods like some eggs.
  • 8- or 10-quart pot for boiling pasta, potatoes, and making soups and stews.
  • Small skillet used to cook eggs.
  • And of course tapas.

Most cookware sets will come with at least these pieces, some will have more. If you choose a set with a non-stick coating, remember to replace it as soon as it shows signs of wear. Ingesting the coating that has come off the food is unhealthy.

Small appliances like a coffee maker, kettle, and hand mixer are the basics. You can opt for an electric can opener and a small food processor, but these are not necessary. You can chop food with a good knife and use a manual opener if necessary.

You will need kitchen utensils. I would recommend a pair of each of the following

  • Pancake Spatula and Turner – Teflon ones are a good choice, however at least one metal one is useful for turning meats and the thinner edge makes turning pancakes or eggs a bit easier.
  • Whisk. It is used to make sauce, beat eggs and egg whites, beat puddings, and other tasks. You should have at least one, even if you plan to use an electric mixer most of the time.
  • Several wooden spoons of different sizes.
  • Several large metal spoons. It is not about tableware, but about the larger spoons that are used for cooking.
  • A ladle is helpful, but you can use a large ladle instead.
  • A pair of large double-prong meat forks.
  • Flip flops
  • At the height
  • Can opener AND church key. A church key is the type used to open bottles and pierce cans. You can find an all-in-one that works well.

You will also need

  • A kitchen timer. This is essential if you plan to bake something.
  • Salt and pepper shakers or a pepper mill and salt shaker
  • Bowls of various sizes
  • Be colander
  • Measuring cups for wet and dry ingredients and measuring spoons
  • At least one but preferably two cookie sheets, the sideless type
  • A set of cake pans
  • A rectangular-shaped skillet with a side about 2 inches
  • A square skillet with 2 or 3-inch sides
  • A cake pan
  • Storage containers for dry goods and leftovers

And of course, no kitchen will do without a good set of knives. Be sure to look for a knife sharpener as well. More cooks are injured by dull knives than by sharp knives because of the extra effort required to cut or slice food. Will need

  • A small kitchen knife
  • A large carving knife
  • A serrated bread knife
  • A butcher knife

There are many other appliances and equipment you can get to stock your kitchen, but these are the basics. With this kit you should be able to create delicious meals for your family.

BASIC FOODS

At the grocery store, you’ll want to make sure you add these basics to your list. If you’re just starting out, it may mean a higher bill at first, but once you’ve bought the basics, it’s easy to keep a list and pick up replacements when you see that you’re about to run out. These are the staples, not the usual foods that you will buy to prepare your meals. You should have on hand in your pantry:

  • Sugar, brown sugar and icing sugar
  • Honey
  • Syrup for pancakes, waffles and desserts.
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cornstarch
  • baking powder
  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Spices, especially garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasonings. Chili powder, cumin, oregano, dried parsley, and sage are also good additions to the spice cabinet.
  • Pickles and olives and capers if you like them.
  • Flavoring extracts, especially vanilla and almond
  • Coconut powder
  • Quick-cooking oatmeal (oatmeal)
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Dry beans
  • Dried potatoes as in mashed potato flakes
  • Cans of tomato sauce and tomato paste, cream of mushrooms, chicken broth, evaporated milk and tuna
  • Vinegar: White, apple cider, and balsamic are good options to start with.
  • Soy Sauces and Worcestershire
  • Oil for frying
  • Solid butter
  • Cereals, especially those that can double as breadcrumbs, like corn flakes.
  • Canned vegetables as a backup. I like to keep a few cans of peas, corn, green beans, spinach, asparagus, mixed greens, canned baby potatoes, and artichoke hearts on hand.
  • Canned fruit Pineapple, peaches, and maybe a jar of applesauce
  • Jams and jellies
  • Milk powder
  • Peanut butter unless, of course, allergies run in your family
  • Salad dressings
  • Condiments like ketchup, salsa, mayonnaise, and mustard.
  • Coffee and tea

There are other items that you may want to add or can make some adjustments, but this is a good base to start with.

In the fridge and freezer you should have at least

  • a pound of butter
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Sour cream
  • Cream cheese
  • Assorted hard cheeses
  • Assorted walnuts
  • Pie crusts (the frozen variety)
  • Whipped topping
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Bacon
  • Pork neck bones to flavor beans and soups
  • Onion
  • Potato
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • lemons

Don’t forget serving plates, bowls, cups, and silverware. It’s nice to have a couple of large platters, but you can always serve it straight off the stove.

With these items, you have all the basics you need to feed your family delicious meals that are properly cooked and served. You can add additional items to the list as you start to feel more confident in your kitchen or when you find that wonderful appliance that you know will make your kitchen life so much easier. Cooking is not a chore unless you do it. Being the family cook is a great responsibility, but it is also an honor and a way to show your family how much you love them. Remember, the most important thing to have in the kitchen at all times is LOVE. It will make every meal something special.

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