Kitchen Essentials: The Must Have’s!
David Kahn |
It is very easy to get confused by the sheer variety of kitchenware available. In fact, here at Everten we stock over 9000 items. However, we are happy to tell you that you only need a few basic items in order to do some quite ambitious cooking – well, at least at first! Seriously, we will show you here exactly what basic items you need.
Knives
Good knives are essential in the kitchen, so here is what we recommend.
1) Chef’s Knife
The Victorinox Swiss Classic Ergonomic Cooks Knife can deal with meat, vegetables and also small items like garlic cloves.
2) Paring Knife
This is great for smaller and more detailed tasks.
3) Serrated Vegetable Knife
Ideal for tomatoes and tougher skinned vegetables.
Kitchen Scissors
No kitchen is complete without a good pair of kitchen shears. These Zyliss Kitchen Shears will cut through food packaging, as well as trim vegetables and prepare herbs.
Saucepans
The number of saucepans on the market is enormous, but you will manage very nicely with a set of three - 16, 18 and 29 cm. The Le Creuset TNS 3pc Saucepan Set shown here is just that, and is a true classic. Of course, you can purchase your saucepans separately if you prefer.
Frypans
Again, there are dozens of frypans to choose from. A 24 and a 28 cm frypan should meet all your needs. You can choose from many materials, including stainless steel, copper and cast iron.
Baking tray
You will definitely need one of these. They are necessary for making sweet items, like scones, or for making savoury items, such as roasted vegetables.
Mixing Bowls
Essential for every kitchen, mixing bowls can be used to make batter, cakes and also for tossing salads. The set pictured here is the Joseph Joseph Nest 9 Plus, which as you can see, is space saving and even incorporates a set of measuring cups.
Cooking Spoon
What do you need to stir sauces and soups? A cook’s spoon, of course. These are available in finishes that will not damage non stick cookware. See an excellent example in the Oxo Good Grips Nylon Spoon.
Chopping Board
To protect your beautiful work tops you should always use a chopping board. Choose a plain one, or one to match your décor.
Oven Mitt
No kitchen should be without an oven mitt. Shown is the MastradOrka Silicone Oven Mitt, which is suitable for either hand.
Measuring Jug
For successful cooking, it is important to measure ingredients accurately. Generations of cooks have relied on Pyrex cookware, and the Pyrex 8 cup/1.9L Measuring Jug is no exception. It can be used as an extra mixing bowl too.