Kitchen Essentials for the Beginner Cook

Introduction

If you are just learning to cook, having a kitchen equipped with the right tools can make the process much easier and hopefully more fun. This guide identifies the essential cookware, bakeware, small appliances, utensils, accessories and key ingredients a new cook needs in the kitchen. Just about everything for the kitchen can be found on eBay so you'll have no trouble finding the right products at the right price!

Cookware and Bakeware

Cookware generally refers to pots and pans that are used on the stove. Bakeware consists of glass, metal, or ceramic containers that are used in the oven. A new cook will need both cookware and bakeware to be successful.

The four essential pieces of cookware are:



Stockpot (6-8 quart) - Use for boiling water for pasta and potatoes, making stew or soup, and cooking certain types of meat. Even more useful if it comes with a pasta strainer and a steamer basket.

Saucepan- Use to make sauces, heat up soups, and cook vegetables.

Small frying pan (8-10 inches) - Use for egg dishes and omelets as well as sauteing vegetables.

Large skillet (12-14 inches) - Create one-dish meals with meats and/or vegetables. Use in place of an authentic wok for Asian meals.

Clockwise from back left: Stockpot, large skillet, small frying pan, saucepan.

It is often more economical to buy a set of cookware so you may end up with a few additional pieces. Make sure the stockpot, saucepan, and skillet come with lids as they are often needed When you are shopping for cookware, look for non-stick since it is easier to use and clean. If you can, buy good quality cookware such as Calphalon or All-Clad so you won't need to replace it for a long time (and in some cases never for the highest quality).

The four essential pieces of bakeware are:



9x13 inch pan - use for casseroles, baked pasta dishes, desserts, and one-dish meals.

Square pan (8x8 inch or 9x9 inch) - use for breads, casseroles, and desserts.

Cookie sheet - use to heat appetizers, bake pizza, roast potatoes or other vegetables, or large items that need to cook on a flat surface (in addition to cookies of course!).

Pie plate (9-10 inch) - use for appetizers, quiche, and one-dish meals as well as pie.

Once you have these three items in your kitchen, add on based on the types of recipes you like to make. Cake pans, muffin tins, loaf pans, lasagna pans, springform pans, and bundt pans are all good to have if you plan on using them. Just like cookware, bakeware often comes in sets so you may be able to get everything you need for a good price.

The material of your bakeware is a matter of personal preference. Glass pans seem easier to clean but non-stick metal works well too. There are also some beautiful ceramic baking dishes that double as nice serving pieces.

Glass pans and liquid measuring cup

Small Appliances

While not a requirement to be a good cook, small appliances can help you complete your tasks a lot faster. Having the following will keep you prepared to make most recipes:



Blender - Use to make drinks, puree fruit, and mix sauces or dressings.

Mixer - Use to make a variety of baked goods.

Food processor - Use to chop nuts, meats, and vegetables.

Indoor grill (George Foreman) - use to grill meats and vegetables plus make grilled panini-like sandwiches.

It helps to have have high quality appliances like KitchenAid or Cuisinart but you can always upgrade to these later on. A stand mixer with a 5 or 6 quart mixing bowl is a great item for any baker, but a hand mixer will work too with a little extra effort. A small food processor (3 cup capacity) is generally all you will need unless you are frequently preparing large quantities of food. If you are tight on space or budget, buy the smallest George Foreman grill. Food cooks so quickly that you can easily prepare food in batches.

Stand mixer with 5 quart mixing bowl 3 cup capacity food processor

Utensils

There are so many tools and gadgets for the kitchen that it may be hard to figure out what you really need. Here is a list of the most essential items:



Spoons and Spatulas - You should have a large mixing spoon as well as a slotted spoon. A small and a large spatula are helpful as well. A pasta spoon and ladle are good to have too. If you are using non-stick cookware, make sure your utensils are made or silicone or other heat resistant non-metal material so as not to damage the non-stick coating.

Wire whisk - Use to mix eggs and make gravy or sauces.

Measuring cups and spoons - These are generally purchased in sets. Make sure you have 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup measuring cups for dry ingredients. You will also need 1 tablespoon, 1/2 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoons. A glass measuring cup is also very useful for liquid ingredients.

Mixing bowls - Have at least two bowls on hand, one large and one small as many recipes require you to make two mixtures first and then blend together.

Knives - A carving knife, paring knife, bread knife with serrated edge, and chef/cook's knife will get you through most kitchen tasks. Buy a knife block set to get all the pieces you need along with attractive storage and a sharpener. Henckels and Wusthof knife sets are good investments.

Peeler - Use to peel fruits and vegetables.

Can opener - Buy a manual or electric opener depending on your preference.

Meat thermometer - If you plan to cook any large pieces of meat, don't take any chances on whether the inside is done. If you want the latest technology, a digital meat thermometer is a great tool.

Once you have these items in your kitchen, there are many other utensils that you can add such as a cheese grater, meat mallet, potato masher, sifter, tongs, pastry cutter, apple corer, rolling pin, or herb mill. The tools and gadgets you will ultimately need are all dependent on what you like to cook and bake.

Accessories

A kitchen is much easier to navigate if it is organized. Fortunately, there are many accessories to help you stay organized while adding a decorative touch to your kitchen. Here are just a few accessories that are useful to have:



Cutting board - There are many shapes and styles to choose from to protect you counter from chopping. CounterArt cutting boards can be found in a variety of styles to suit your decor.

Spice rack- Keeps all your herbs and spices within reach.

Utensil holder - Keep all your frequently used utensils out in a decorative container.

Spoon rest - Protect your stovetop from stains in between stirring.

Pot rack - If you have nice pots and pans, you can display them overhead and out of the way in your kitchen.

Decorative utensil holder Vintage spice rack

Key Ingredients

The most important part of learning to cook is having the right ingredients. Cooking and baking is much easier if you have staples on hand that are used in many recipes. Here is a list of the top 25 key ingredients to keep stocked in your pantry and refrigerator:



Milk

Eggs

Salt

Pepper

Vegetable oil

Olive oil

Vinegar

Cooking wine

Chicken broth

Cream soups (cream of mushroom, chicken, broccoli, and/or celery)

Flour

Sugar

Baking powder

Baking soda

Cinnamon

Vanilla extract

Basil

Minced garlic

Garlic powder

Onions

Onion powder

Honey

Mustard

Soy sauce

Worcestershire sauce

Now you are ready to start cooking! Good luck and enjoy it!!!

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