What do you consider the bare minimum equipment for your kitchen: the cookware & cutlery, and appliances?

Question

I am wondering how little it is possible to have yet still have an adequate kitchen.

Do you find this is determined by the cuisine you cook?

What things could you not live without?

What things are cross-overs in your 'batterie de cuisine'? Both for Chinese and Italian, say?

thank you

Answer 1

chef's knife
saute pan
stock pot (just something large enough to boil things in)
veggie peeler (you can get a lot more uses out of them than you think)
whisk
heat proof spatula
wooden spoons
good sturdy tongs
a box grater
baking sheet/pan
mixing bowls
cutting board
measuring cups and spoons for baking and the more precise measurements

that's basic, that's pretty much what i have (having just moved out) i can function well, i do a lot of cooking.

appliances i wish i had:
a standup mixer, a food processor and a digital scale that can weigh metric and us.
not really necissary, but really big time savers.

a wok is one of those borderline essential/luxury.
you can make stir fry in any cooking vessel with a large bottom, but woks are useful, you can steam and smoke things in them. and you can cook western food in them too.

with those things you can get pretty much every kitchen task done with a little creativity for the more pecular tasks.

!Alexiis

Answer 2

You need only a few basics. Don't believe the hype about all of the crazy gadets out there these days. Especially avoid the gedgets that only do one thing. What a waste! Here are my top 10.

1. GOOD quality Chefs knife Shun and Wusthoff are the best.
2. Sauce pan
3. Stock pot
4. Saute/fry pan
5. Caserole/baking dish
6. Blender
7. Stand mixer
8. Peeler
9. Storage containers
10. Wok or Chefs pan (since you mentioned Chinese)
11. Bonus item your hands!

That's it! You can make almost anything with the above. If you want to get into baking you will need more baking items but in terms of cooking the above 10 items are all you need.

Spend more and get fewer items. For example the above mentioned Chef knives will cost you about $115 but are well worth it and will list a life time.

In terms of pots and pans try and get Allclad or Caphelon.

Answer 3

1. Good Quality Sharp Knives (with sharpening steel)
2. Saute pan (non-stick)
3. Food Processor or Blender (Magic Bullet is great too!)
4. Toaster Oven
5. Dutch Oven
6. Large Stock Pot
7. Utensils: Wooden Spoons, Spatulas, Ladles
8. Microwave
9. Small saucepan
10. Assorted casserole dishes
11. Mixer

With all of these things you can create anything that you could possibly want to eat! These items can be used interchangeably no matter what you are cooking.

The one thing I cannot survive without is a quality sharp knife. To me the knife if the most important kitchen utensil!

Answer 4

Chef's Knife
Baking dishes
Can Opener
large skillet
Spatula and spoons
Mixer
Large pots
Toaster
Microwave
Bag clips
Mixing bowls
Reusable containers

I love have a fully stocked kitchen. I could name some more but that wouls take a long time! Good Luck!

Answer 5

At least three saucepans of different sizes. A couple of good skillets, at least. One large sauce/stew pot. A good, heavy roasting pan with lid. A couple of casserole dishes with lids. A couple of sheet pans, deep enough to use for a sheet cake, but also appropriate for cookies or frozen french fries. A cooling rack. A good serrated knife large enough to be used for meat or bread. At least one good paring knife. A vegetable peeler. A hand mixer. Mixing bowls of various sizes. A good can opener. A wine/bottle opener. A set of silverware. Plates, bowls, mugs. An oven/stove. Dish towels and potholders. A refrigerator. Microwave. Sink. No, I don't find that it's determined by the cuisine I cook. I have a wok, but it isn't necessary for making Chinese dishes.

Answer 6

A cook's best friend is a carbon steel knife, one large enough to chop. Item's I can't live without are:

1. Knives
2. Wooden spoons
3. Baking dishes
4. Soup pot
5. Saute pan

Answer 7

Cooker as I prepare dinner daily alongside with the pots and pans and my kettle is often on for a cuppa. lol Least used is microwave besides the undeniable fact that is my daughter's who's 18 maximum suitable chum ha ha

Answer 8

It really depends on how often and what you cook. Personally, as an avid cook there is nothing that is not necessary. My small kitchen is inundated with equipment. and pans of every size from small to very large. I would not part with anything

Answer 9

Measuring spoons
Measuring cups for dry measure
Glass measuring cups for liquid measure
1 quart, 2 quart, 6 quart pans with lids
8 inch, 12 inch skillet with lids (I like cast iron)
8X8 glass baking pan, 9X13 baking pan
Eight inch round glass casserole, with lid
cookie sheet(s)
round cake tins
bread pans
Mixing bowls, preferably ones that can also be used in the microwave.
Utensils: Cooking spoons, serving spoons. Pasta fork, salad tongs. Tongs of various sizes for frying and serving. 2 spatulas: one solid, one with openings.
Knives: kitchen knife, paring knife, bread knife (minimum).
Coffee pot.
Tea kettle.
Tea pot.
Dishes for 4, flatware for 4. Butter dish, salt and pepper cellars.
Spice and seasoning rack: Vanilla extract, thyme, curry, Old Bay, rosemary, Bay leaf, celery seed, Worcestershire sauce, gravy base, cloves, whole and ground, e&.

Answer 10

I eat almost everything raw. I need scissors tae chop my bacon. The only essetial bit o' kit I would need would be a toaster, everybody needs a wee bit o' toast frae time tae time!!