Few things garner culinary creativity better than a well-stocked kitchen. The right pot for the right recipe, the right knife for the right cut, is essential. Gadgets, utensils, and bowls… Oh my! I will be writing a three-part series on what you should have for a well-stocked kitchen, starting with hardware. I will also give you a list of things in a well-stocked larder (your pantry of dry goods), your refrigerator, and your freezer.
Keeping these three areas well-stocked with quality ware and fresh ingredients means you can step into your kitchen at any time and make a light breakfast, lunch, or supper, or a full 6-course meal for a dinner party your friends will be talking about for ages.
This is a rather extensive list. If you have these in your kitchen, keep them. If you don’t have them, consider getting them. However, keep in mind that it is “your” kitchen where you cook for “your” family and friends. Look to your needs and desires and those of your guests.
In terms of equipment, I highly recommend that you use discretion before investing in expensive unitasker equipment. A good example is your relationship with fried foods. If you love having people over for fish and chips or making fried apple hand pies, keep in mind you don’t need a commercial tabletop fryer. You should have a pot big enough to handle most batches of fried chicken. Keep in mind that if you have a big pot in your cooking collection (which you should have), it can be used to boil, fry, braise, and more.
I tend to have large commercial versions of convection ovens, fryers, and ice cream makers because I have at least one or two dinner parties a month for 4 to 12 people. I also have a kitchen that is 17 X 27 feet. I once had a kitchen that had only a 5 X 3 foot walk space and only enough counter space for a coffee maker, a small toaster, and a compact book listing of area restaurants and take-out places. I still have nightmares about that kitchen. ·
- Glass Measuring Cup for Liquids
- Nest of Four Measuring Cups: 1/4, 1/3, ½, and 1 Cup for Dry Products
- Set of Measuring Spoons
- Nest of Bowls
- Flour Sifter
- Egg Beater/Whisk
- Rolling Pin
- Waxed Paper
- Knives: Paring, Slicing, Chopping, and Carving
- Butter Dish (Covered)
- Can Opener: Electric and One Manual Backup
- Lemon/Orange Juicer
- Slotted Spoons
- Strainer
- Spatulas
- Long-Handled Fork
- Wooden Spoons
- Bottle Opener/Cork Screw
- Grater
- Pot Holders
- Set of Flour Sack Towels
- Cooling Racks
- Salt and Pepper Shakers
- Biscuit/Cookie Cutter
- Pastry Cutter
- Electric Mixer
- Flour and Sugar Containers
- Scoops for Flour and Sugar
- Tongs
- Funnel – Apple Corer
- Vegetable Peeler
- Cookie Sheets/Baking Sheets
- 3-Quart Saucepan with Lid
- 2-Quart Saucepan with Lid
- 2 or More Saucepans with Lid
- 4-6-Quart Kettle with Lid
- Iron Skillet
- Large Non-Stick Skillet with Lid
- Small Non-Stick Skillet with Lid
- Bamboo Steamer (3-Tier)
- Coffee Maker
- Cake Pans
- Pie Pan
- Loaf Pan
- Casserole Dishes
- Muffin Tin
- Deep Oven Roasting Pan
- Chopping Board
- Food Chopper
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Crock Pot
- Egg Timer
- Brush for Basting
- Tea/Juice Pitchers
- Forks, Spoons, and Butter Knives to Serve 8, 12 or More If You Have a Big Family or Lots of Friends
- Set of Dishes to Serve 8 (Dinner Plate, Coffee Cup, Salad Plate, Cereal Bowl)
- Drinking Glasses to Serve 8
- Aluminum Foil
- Freezer Bags
- Kitchen Grill (Backup for Gas Grill)
- Kitchen Towels
