Kitchen cookware and equipment. Wow – there are so many directions we can go here. Quality, budgets, personal preferences – stainless steel, cast iron, non-stick, gas, induction – there are entire websites and YouTube channels dedicated to these decisions and the accompanying information. But for our purposes, we are going to start simple, basic, and value conscious. For A Taste of Home, I went directly to Amazon for reasonable prices, abundant customer reviews, and efficient shipping. And for about $200.00, I got everything necessary to jump right in and start cooking some impressive comfort food!
Let’s start with the basics:
Cookware
At the very least, you’ll need a skillet/sauté pan with a lid, a stockpot, a sauce pan. I opted for a 14-piece pot/pan set on Amazon for $79.99. It included all of these items and more, for a great price.
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Cutting Board
I went with a 20×15 inch wooden cutting board. I like large cutting boards, but not everyone has the counter space for that. You just don’t want to feel crowded or cluttered when you are doing your prep.
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Cooking Utensils
I went with these because I thought they would look good on camera. Seriously – anything will do. Plastic and wooden work well, and if you go metal, make sure your cookware can handle it.
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Kitchen Knife
I use this one knife for almost everything. Breaking down large cuts of meats, deboning chicken, chopping vegetables, even paring fruits! We have a host of other knives in our cutting block, but I reach for this one every time. I didn’t have to buy it – it was gifted to me and I love it. Misen. An Amazon Basics Chefs Knife is $12.99 and has some amazing reviews! Whatever route you go, make sure you also have a knife sharpener handy. Having a good, sharp knife, will completely change your cooking experiences. Working with dull blades is the worst, and it’s actually way more dangerous. Watch a few cutting techniques on YouTube, practice a little, and you’ll be on your way! I do the claw technique. And I hold my knife with my thumb and pointer finger at the base of the blade. Watch a few videos and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
So where are we at? Let’s say you “splurged” and went with the nice Misen, the 14-pirce cookware set, the cutting board, and basic cooking utensils – you are still right around $200. Not bad! We are now one step closer to making some great meals!
Power Ups
Mixing Bowls – Having a few mixing bowls are extremely helpful. Whether its for marinating, prepping, or organizing – a handful of mixing bowls can come in super handy.
Kitchen Towel – I never cook without at least one kitchen towel handy. Some cooks like to use aprons, I just got used to having a kitchen towel around. They help keep things clean, dry, and can be used to pick up hot pots and pans.
Discount Stores – TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods – they often have really nice cookware and kitchen equipment at a fraction of price you would normally pay.
Rice Cooker – I’m going to list this as an optional power up because you can technically cook your rice in a pot over the stove. But having your own dedicated rice cooking device – I’ve never known life without one.
