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Whether you are building your kitchen from scratch, you might have just finished college, or maybe you have been cooking for a while and want to check if there is an essential kitchen item you have missed and must have, here is a list of some of the basic essentials in the kitchen. From cooking pots and pans, to preparation stuff and measuring cups or spoons, these staples will be used in everyday cooking kitchen.
1. Measuring spoons
A must-have in your kitchen to get the exact measurements of the seasonings, herbs and other stuff. Your set should have 1 tablespoon, 1/2 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon. While measurements in cooking doesn’t have to be on point, it is always a good practice to follow the original recipe’s measurements and season it to your taste from there.
Our pick: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons, Set of 4
2. Measuring cups
Another essential for dry ingredients like flour, sugar, cheeses, bread crumbs and liquids like milk, heavy cream, water, broth, rice, and stock. Your set should have at least 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup.
Our pick: Cuisinart CTG-00-SMC Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 4 and Anchor Hocking 2 Cup Glass Measuring Cup
3. Colander
This item can be a very handy tool for draining cooked pasta. A colander can hold up to 1 pound of cooked pasta for those big family meals.
Our pick: Bellemain Micro-Perforated Stainless Steel Colander (5-Quart)
4. Mixing bowls
Used for just about everything in preparing meals. Use the large bowls for your meatballs mix, the medium ones for preparing chopped vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery or for mixing batters, and the small ones are for whisking eggs and sauces.
Our pick: ChefLand Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Set of 6
5. Cutting boards
It is always good practice to separate your raw foods. Use the big board for meats and the medium and small boards for vegetables and herbs to reduce the risk of food contamination.
Our pick: Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set, Set of 3
Stay tuned for part 2!