A Short List: What Every Kitchen Needs

[Kaprikorn1]

A Short List: What Every Kitchen Needs...

1) An assortment of pots and pans, not limited to, but definitely including: Large and small frying pans, assorted sauce pans, at least 1 non-stick frying pan, large stock pot, small 6" pans are great for frying eggs, and lids for all.

2) An 8" or 10" chef's knife, a serated knife for breads, etc., small paring knife, 12" carving knife, sharpening steel and polypropylene cutting board.

3) Assorted pyrex baking dishes. These usually come in a set of 3 different sizes. Cookie sheets, pie pans, and a pizza sheet.

4) Vegetable peeler, micro-plane grater, cheese grater, lemon reamer, garlic press, tongs, spatulas, spoons and slotted spoons, strainer, ladles, wisks, rubber spatula, can opener.

5) Assorted measuring cups, measuring spoons, a meat thermometer, candy thermometer and a food scale is real nice, too.

6) Everyone needs a Kitchenaid electric mixer. They come in many designer colors! A crock pot, vegetable juicer, and blender are also musts.

7) A good assortment of dried spices, oils and infused (flavored) oils, several different vinegars, a few extracts (vanilla, almond, pepermint, etc.) and several types of hot sauces.

These are not, by any means, the only things a good kitchen needs. I consider them to be the essentials from which to build.

Also, try to use fresh herbs whenever possible, with the exception of long-cooked stews and soups, etc. They have much a stronger and truer flavor. If you're using fresh herbs, only add them during the last few minutes of cooking or they get bitter and foul.

PLANT AN HERB GARDEN! You can do this in a window box, on the kitchen window sill (even in winter), in flower pots on a balcony or in the yard. Trust me...your food will be better...and herbs take zero maintenance except a little water.

I hope this will help those new to the kitchen or those wanting to expand their horizons a bit.

Buona Fortuna!

Kap

"It's not easy being green"

"It's not easy being green"

[sisyphus]

Hey Kap, great list. Wishing you all the best with the new forum.

Have to tell you bud, you forgot one thing on your list...a STOVE! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Moongazer1]

I think I have almost everything but the vinegar. I have corning wear instead of pirex. Kitchen-AID is the best mixer made. I have a proffesional (weighs 33 pounds)! I have a kichen towel under it so I can scoot it towards me when I need to use it. I have about 2 dozen flower sack towels. They are very soft cotton and much more absorbant that terry.
Dishwasher is nice to have for all of the dishes used in preparation.

Pat

[Kaprikorn1]

I don't need a stove, jon...i just use my heat vision like superman...lol

Kap

"It's not easy being green"

[vic]

Originally posted by Kaprikorn1:

I don't need a stove, jon...i just use my heat vision like superman...lol

Kap

"It's not easy being green"

Or rub the different ingredients against each other, until they turn so hot that they cook themselves :-)

[Lewis]

Cuisinart 77-10 Chefs Classic Stainless 10-Pc. Cookware Set (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008CM68/104-7064370-4582339)

Great set of pots and pans for a great price. Just bought them for my soon-to-be-built kitchen.

-Lewis

[antiquity]

And for the quad cooks:

Storage: Storing food in zip lock baggies is much easier than using tupperwear. Those lids are a pain to get off.

Buy pre-prepared veggies: The better supermarkets should have a decent selection of precut fresh raw veggies like brocolli, onions, cauliflower, green pepper, carrots etc., usually in wrapped packages in the produce section. Using graters, dicers and slicers like cuisinart can still be a hassle for those with limited hand use.

Meats: Most markets will also have pre-seasoned raw meats, that are already diced, shredded or wrapped. Eliminates the need for a lot of cutting and slicing. Poultry, fish and meatballs for example can be bought already breaded and or cooked.

Fruits: Peeling is simply out of the question for most quads so I buy ready to eat fruit. Supermarkets will also have "fresh fruit salads" already prepared if you want it super fresh. I usually buy fruit in glass jars, seems a little fresher than what's in the cans and plastic cups.

Since spreads can be difficult to manage, I would suggest buying butter or margarine in the squeeze containers. Same applies to ketchup, mustard, mayonaise and jelly.

I like Cuisinart cookware because it's lightweight and has that hole in the handle which I use to hook my thumb through for lifting. Cast iron and calphalon are too heavy and cumbersome, there's no easy way to grip them.

Non-stick plastic cooking utensils are a must too, they tend to be much lighter than metal or wood, easier to handle.

[KLD]

I couldn't live without my microwave oven. Nuke it!

[Kaprikorn1]

Seneca...Thanks for your input regarding quad issues in the kitchen. This is the side I am inexperienced about. Anytime I get too "Para-centric" please jump in and help me out.

Kap

"It's not easy being green"

[ernestmac13]

Thanks for the cool list and cool forum. I was doing a search for what pots and pans I should have in my kitchen when I ran across your post via google. Your list is cool, as is this whole fourm, I have a condition called Arnold Kiari Malformation type 1. Basiclly, the hole my spine goes through to connect to my brain is too small which increase spinal fluid pressure both in my skull and in my spine. I had odd symptoms throughout my life and was misdiagnosed until, my symptoms got really bad about 6 years ago, and then I got diagnosed correctly about 3 years ago. The meds the nurologist put me on have changed my life. I still have some symptoms, but they are a lot less severe than before. Like another user who mention the weight of a mixer as a factor, I too have to take such things into consideration myself. In my search tonight, I ran across a good video on youtube.com of a chef where hew explains what pots and pans we all need in our kitchen, the link is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SVrhTmlx7c

Take Care:cooldude:

[Juke_spin]

Thanks for the cool list and cool forum. I was doing a search for what pots and pans I should have in my kitchen when I ran across your post via google. Your list is cool, as is this whole fourm, I have a condition called Arnold Kiari Malformation type 1. Basiclly, the hole my spine goes through to connect to my brain is too small which increase spinal fluid pressure both in my skull and in my spine. I had odd symptoms throughout my life and was misdiagnosed until, my symptoms got really bad about 6 years ago, and then I got diagnosed correctly about 3 years ago. The meds the nurologist put me on have changed my life. I still have some symptoms, but they are a lot less severe than before. Like another user who mention the weight of a mixer as a factor, I too have to take such things into consideration myself. In my search tonight, I ran across a good video on youtube.com of a chef where hew explains what pots and pans we all need in our kitchen, the link is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SVrhTmlx7c

Take Care:cooldude:
Hi Ernestmac and welcome to the CCC. Can't the restrictive brain/spinal column hole be surgically enlarged to allow the equalization of your spinal fluid?

[Foolish Old]

One of these can help promote "Joy in the Kitchen".

http://www.costume-shop.com/images/products/em9629.jpg (javascript:showProductImage('http://www.costume-shop.com/images/products/em9629.jpg','350','613');)

[Eileen]

I worship the caffeine gods, so for me an easy to use coffee maker is the top of my list. I have a Keurig one cup machine. Just pop that little cup in the holder, close the handle, and 15 seconds later enjoy steaming java!

[dan_nc]

If you have a small kitchen and don't have room for all these "essentials" what would you eliminate and what would you keep?

[addiesue]

lemon reamer?

[quad79]

How about an accessible kitchen to begin with?I want one now:mad: !

[Juke_spin]

How about an accessible kitchen to begin with?I want one now:mad: !

But do you deserve one?:p

[Juke_spin]

If you have a small kitchen and don't have room for all these "essentials" what would you eliminate and what would you keep?

Why? You'll have to supply more clarity and motivation if you want responses.:nono::p

[GoTWHeeLs]

How about an accessible kitchen to begin with?I want one now:mad: !Me too...

[vickylynn]

the new george foreman grill that intercahnges i can grill make pancakes waffles lots of things its easy to interchange the cooking grills for a c6c7
quad easy to clean

i made biscuits with left over sausage and cheese hmmmmm

[Mark07]

I need a cook which I think is the most important for a kitchen..lol

[ivantk]

Very useful information! Thanks :) I have just printed the list and will show it to my wife.

[jams002]

A Short List: What Every Kitchen Needs...

1) An assortment of pots and pans, not limited to, but definitely including: Large and small frying pans, assorted sauce pans, at least 1 non-stick frying pan, large stock pot, small 6" pans are great for frying eggs, and lids for all.

2) An 8" or 10" chef's knife, a serated knife for breads, etc., small paring knife, 12" carving knife, sharpening steel and polypropylene cutting board.

3) Assorted pyrex baking dishes. These usually come in a set of 3 different sizes. Cookie sheets, pie pans, and a pizza sheet.

4) Vegetable peeler, micro-plane grater, cheese grater, lemon reamer, garlic press, tongs, spatulas, spoons and slotted spoons, strainer, ladles, wisks, rubber spatula, can opener.

5) Assorted measuring cups, measuring spoons, a meat thermometer, candy thermometer and a food scale is real nice, too.

6) Everyone needs a Kitchenaid electric mixer. They come in many designer colors! A crock pot, vegetable juicer, and blender are also musts.

7) A good assortment of dried spices, oils and infused (flavored) oils, several different vinegars, a few extracts (vanilla, almond, pepermint, etc.) and several types of hot sauces.

These are not, by any means, the only things a good kitchen needs. I consider them to be the essentials from which to build.

Also, try to use fresh herbs whenever possible, with the exception of long-cooked stews and soups, etc. They have much a stronger and truer flavor. If you're using fresh herbs, only add them during the last few minutes of cooking or they get bitter and foul.

PLANT AN HERB GARDEN! You can do this in a window box, on the kitchen window sill (even in winter), in flower pots on a balcony or in the yard. Trust me...your food will be better...and herbs take zero maintenance except a little water.

I hope this will help those new to the kitchen or those wanting to expand their horizons a bit.

Buona Fortuna!

Kap

"It's not easy being green"

"It's not easy being green"



wow this is great topic thanks for this kind of idea you share to us,:applaud:
Humidifier Filters (http://www.iaqsource.com/)

[Foolish Old]

One of these can help promote "Joy in the Kitchen".

http://www.costume-shop.com/images/products/em9629.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:showProductImage('http://www.costume-shop.com/images/products/em9629.jpg','350','613');)

.....

[feisty]

Oh jesus, we just got one of those BIG Cuisinarts that come with all the blade attachments (even the one that makes bread dough) and it's super easy to use. I think it's opened up a whole new realm of things I can do in the kitchen now that I don't have to worry so much about knife work. The best part of it is that the work bowl snaps into place with very little manuvering and hand control, and the blades just fall right into the center, so there's no fiddling with them or really locking them into place. I think these are a must have for quads who want to get back in the kitchen, and probably for paras too.

(I replaced my mini cuisinart which was good for cooking for 1 and 2 people, and much less expensive btw, the only drawback is that it didn't have any slicing attachmnets, just chop/grind.)


And aren't kitchenaid mixers like 300 bones? EVERY kitchen? pshaw.

[betheny]

Feisty, that kitchenaid mixer takes half the battle out of a lot of kitchen work. I need a chopper of some sort, badly. That is the other half of the battle for me. What model cuisinart did you get?

I got my mixer as a gift. Probably wouldn't have bought it. But I really use it, and it does all the work when I do. It is much as you describe the cuisinart. Easy assembly, easy clean. It does bread dough too! My favorite thing is that I can roll off when it is mixing, maybe to get eggs out of the frig. When I'm back to it, it is still working away.

I can't use pyrex dishes like Kappy suggests. I have tile floors, and drop everything. Pyrex bites it quick in my kitchen.

[november]

I'm switching over to the tin/metal pans like what cake pans are made of. Pyrex is just too heavy, especially when full of food. I can get the little square ones in/out the oven, but not anything like a 9x13 that's full. Just not enough abs for balance. One hand is usually used for balancing myself and the other for lifting. Switching over to plastic measuring devices too. A lot less heavy, cheaper, easier to store(fit inside eachother), and don't break!

[Them Bones]

Metal pans are fine, just avoid aluminum.

The list is missing a meat cleaver.

And I won't have a garlic press in my kitchen. Smash and mince!

[Eileen]

For all the quads out there these bowls are great because they bounce off the floor without harm. Very lightweight, and safe to 400 degrees. Nothing breakable lasts long for me as my grip is poor so things go "splat" quite often.

http://www.guyotdesigns.com/squishybowls

[betheny]

OMG those are AWESOME! I just used a silicone basting brush I got at Dollar Tree (2/ .99) to butter the turkey and was way impressed at the ease. Silicone is revolutionizing the kitchen.

[Juke_spin]

The list is also missing kitchen shears. I added a pair of these three years ago and they are the most used kitchen tool after utensils and two small sauce pots. Knives and measuring spoons and cups are important but more important is that they be of good quality. The set of silicone measuring cups I've got are unbreakable and fantastic w markings both inside and on the bottom.

A garlic press is nice when I just want to add garlic taste to a simmering dish; mincing is time consuming.

Also, while Americans are stuck on Kitchenaid the Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine is, pound for pound, a much leaner, more muscular beast. I use one I picked up at a thrift shop for all my bread making.

[feisty]

OMG those are AWESOME! I just used a silicone basting brush I got at Dollar Tree (2/ .99) to butter the turkey and was way impressed at the ease. Silicone is revolutionizing the kitchen.

Feisty, that kitchenaid mixer takes half the battle out of a lot of kitchen work. I need a chopper of some sort, badly. That is the other half of the battle for me. What model cuisinart did you get?

I got my mixer as a gift. Probably wouldn't have bought it. But I really use it, and it does all the work when I do. It is much as you describe the cuisinart. Easy assembly, easy clean. It does bread dough too! My favorite thing is that I can roll off when it is mixing, maybe to get eggs out of the frig. When I'm back to it, it is still working away.

I can't use pyrex dishes like Kappy suggests. I have tile floors, and drop everything. Pyrex bites it quick in my kitchen.

we had the little one (I posted about it in another thread too)
this one
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=80793&CategoryID=7716

and replaced it with this one, on sale for 30 bucks off at costco
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11026804

^although the picture looks slightly off, because it looks exactly like the smaller model with the flush buttons, but the best thing is that it grates, chops AND slices. alot of my frustrations with cooking were those 3 tasks. and grating especially. (although my brother seems to be xdoing a fine job grating on my NERVES, lol.


Silicone is awesome in the kitchen, we have silicone icecube trays (RAD but not very quad friendly), silicone basting brushes, silpats, & silicone loaf pans. I'm discovering that the silicone seems to be best suited for the smaller items in the kitchen because it's easier to get the things out of the flexible containers. I want muffin pans next.