Family Foodies

Besides your basic appliances – refrigerator, stove, microwave – there are a few items which should be in every kitchen.  Whether you are a gourmet cook or a from-the-box cook, you will need the right tools and equipment to perform basic food preparation and serving tasks.

Here is a Top Ten List of Things Every Kitchen Needs:

1. Can Opener.  Whether you cook from scratch or pour from the can into the pan, a can opener is essential.  It doesn’t have to be electric, it just has to work properly.  Whether it’s a quick lunch, or a from-scratch slow-cooker dinner – a can opener is a staple.

2. Coffee Maker/Teakettle.  If you like to entertain, a coffee maker or teakettle is a hostess’ friend. Over 50% of American adults drink coffee every day!  In a pinch, you can brew tea in your coffee pot, but if you don’t drink much of either, a teakettle along with some instant coffee and small variety of teas is nice to have on hand for company.  If you want to go all out for your company, because of the variety of coffee makers available, you can find one to suit your style perfectly!

3. Toaster Oven.  When I got my toaster oven a couple years ago, I discovered just how much I needed it!  Most toaster ovens  serve multiple functions – toasting, baking, &/or broiling.  Last summer, when it was SO hot outside (even with the air conditioner on inside), I NEVER wanted to turn the oven on.  So, I started using our toaster oven, and Voila! Using my toaster oven put out much less heat, and still managed to bake or broil the things necessary for dinner.  NICE!

4. Good Pot Holders.  Never mind that you can buy 3 pot holders for $5 on sale at your local dollar store.  You should invest in high-quality heatproof pot holders.  There are pot holders that are treated with the same chemical that firefighters use on their protective equipment.  There are silicone pot holders that look flimsy, but provide a non-slip surface and protection from burns, too.  There are even hand-loomed pot holders that can be a bit slippery to use when moving hot pots and pans, but work perfectly as trivets (to set hot pans on for serving).

5. Sharp Knives.  While you don’t have to invest in a $700 set of knives, it is important to use quality knives that are SHARP.  Dulling blades can lead to slipping, resulting in injury.  Besides steak knives, a paring knife (for detail work), a serrated knife (necessary for slicing bread), and a chef’s knife are essential for prep work in the kitchen.  Here is a suggestion for a multipurpose knife, too.

6. Large Non-stick Saucepan.  I was given a 4-qt Calphalon saucepan (something like this one) with a lid at my wedding shower.  It wasn’t even on my wedding registry, but it is the one pan I use most often.  Now I am NOT telling you it is necessary to spend $200 on a saucepan for your kitchen.  However, you should have one good-sized saucepan that you can make almost anything in.  I use it to make the sauce for my Peanut Butter Popcorn recipe, to boil and make our favorite pasta dishes, for soup, chili and more. It has been the most versatile pan in my arsenal, and I would give up several other pots & pans to keep this one.

7. Stone Bakeware.  I am not a Pampered Chef consultant, and I don’t get a dime for this plug.  But I am a HUGE fan of their products.  (You can buy other baking stoneware, but I like supporting moms who work with Pampered Chef to help support their families.) Durable, user-friendly, and easy to clean (no soap required) – PC stoneware is a worthwile investment. The bakeware becomes seasoned (something like a cast iron skillet) so the more it is used, the better it works.

8. Non-stick frying pan.  For anyone who cooks, a frying pan is a must have.  Non-stick contributes to the ease of preparation and cleaning, and requires less oil.  Frankly, if I could only have two stove-top pans in my kitchen, it would be my 4 qt saucepan and my 10″ frying pan.   (Look for one with a lid to give you more use.)

9.  Corelle.  While stoneware dishes are beautiful, they can also be heavy, difficult to clean, and chip, crack, and break relatively easy.  Enter Corelle dishes!  I grew up with the golden butterfly pattern.  Just recently we traded out our remaining pieces of stoneware for a set of Corelle dishes, and I am SO pleased.  Our girls can carry the plates, we don’t worry about breakage, cleanup is SO much easier, and I’ve got much more room on my shelves!  Yay Corelle!

10.  Water Filter.  In these days of conservation and eco-friendly living, waste is big no-no.  Using a water filtration system – whether a filter pitcher or a sink attachment – can improve the quality and taste of your water, while reducing plastic waste.  As the quality of drinking water around the world decreases, the need for clean water remains crucial.  Reusable drinking bottles and home-filtered water can replace your regularly purchased bottled water – saving you money – and our planet in the process!

Is there something not mentioned here that you find to be invaluable in your kitchen?  That you could not do without?  Leave a comment and share your most needed kitchen item!

Photo credits: photo credit: dougww, photo credit: kennymatic1