The home chef's essentials
Using the right tools is key to turning out professional results in the kitchen. Follow our advice to build up a collection of hardworking pieces to suit you...
Planning a new kitchen gives you the perfect opportunity to assess which gadgets and cookware you actually need. It’s worth thinking about how you like to cook and what sort of meals you make most often. It’s tempting to buy dozens of small appliances and gadgets, but rarely-used items can soon become clutter, so ask yourself how often you are really likely to use this product. If it’s less than once a week, the chances are you can live without it.
Start with the basics – make sure you have a good selection of knives and a set of chopping boards to prevent cross-contamination of foodstuffs. It’s generally worth paying more for a few individual tools and building up the collection, rather than purchasing a full set that includes knives you’ll never use. Fully forged knives are the best quality, as the blade and tang (which attaches the blade to the handle) are all in one piece.
However, if you’d like to give a restaurant-style flourish to salads and root vegetables, why not invest in a mandolin? That way, you’ll be able to julienne everything, from celeriac to carrots, at speed while protecting your fingers. Once your feast is ready for the stove, the latest ceramic casseroles and oven-to-table dishes will help to ensure that supper is cooked to perfection.
A few different-sized mixing bowls will be useful, whether you are keen on baking or would like to whip up a rich roux. Just make sure one of them is tough enough so that you can blitz your ingredients with a nifty hand-held mixer, if need be. Dishwasher-safe items will be a godsend when you are clearing up. A food processor is a worthwhile investment if you do a lot of cooking, and spares you from having to buy a host of small appliances. It will save time when chopping and whisking, and is also great for cakes, as you can throw in all the ingredients together. Look for a model with a powerful motor (at least 500W), and check that the blades are situated as low as possible, to avoid food getting stuck underneath.
If the thought of a bulky mixer seems off-putting, consider a blender or a stick blender which can be used directly in the pan. For those times when you just need to chop up a few herbs or vegetables, or prepare breadcrumbs, a mini chopper is ideal. It doesn’t take up much room, and you won’t be left with the smell of sliced onion on your hands either!
When choosing cookware, it’s sensible to invest in the best quality pans you can afford, as they will last longer and perform better. However, personal choice plays a large part here. Cast iron pans are excellent for retaining heat, but some people find them too heavy to work with. Other cooks will swear by non-stick linings. But, bear in mind that they can be easy to damage with scrapes or if they are used at too high a temperature. So, if you’re buying one of these, aim to choose a recognised brand.
Aluminium pans are lightweight, but they can give food a metallic taste. It might be wiser to go for a hard anodised version, which is more durable and non-stick. Another sensible option is stainless steel with a copper sandwich base for greater conductivity. Whichever material takes your fancy, ensure that the lid fits snugly, and that the handle is securely attached. Ideally, it should be moulded or welded to the saucepan, rather than simply screwed on. So, now you have the correct culinary kit, it’s time to show off your skills to family and friends!
