You might not be a chef by profession, but that doesn’t mean you’re not skilled in the
kitchen and passionate about the art of cooking. That being said, you also know that
every artist needs the right tools to excel in his craft.
In this article, we’ll explore the six items we believe every pro home cook needs in
their kitchen to perfect their cooking techniques and be able to add extra bursts of
flavor to their dishes.
Chef’s Knife
Naturally, we can’t stress enough the importance of the humble chef’s knife. This
piece of equipment is the backbone of your cooking, and a high-quality knife can
offer safety, ease, and precision when you’re in the kitchen.
Choose between carbon or stainless steel knives for the ultimate quality when
tackling any ingredient, from delicate herbs to tough root veg. Keep your knife honed
and sharp for optimal efficiency, and you’ll never look back.
Cast Iron Skillet
Another essential is a good, sturdy, cast iron skillet. These allow you the ease of
stovetop-to-oven transitions, the perfect sear on your steaks, easy skillet pizzas, and
superior heat retention for even cooking.
Cast iron will last you a lifetime if it’s cared for properly and is always the better
option to cook with for non-stick and flavor-enhancing properties.
Immersion Blender
Being able to blend various ingredients can really add to your cooking repertoire, and
an immersion blender is probably your best bet.
Unlike your traditional clunky stand blenders, immersion blenders are compact and
far more handy, allowing you to blend right in your pot or bowl. You can create
creamy soups, homemade mayonnaises, or even summertime smoothies bursting
with fruity flavor.
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls might seem like a boring addition to this list – we all have them, and
they’re relatively functional but offer nothing special. However, opting for stainless
steel might change the game for you.
They’re not only versatile and light, but their non-reactive nature helps to ensure
freshness in your ingredients. This means that they’re perfect for whisking dressings
or marinating your meats in without taking on any odors or stains.
Digital Thermometer
If you want to master your meats, you need a digital thermometer in your kitchen
drawer, pronto. When it comes to cooking the perfect steak or any delicate meal, you
need precision above all else, and numbers do matter.
A digital thermometer is also known as an instant-read thermometer, which means
that you’ll get an immediate and accurate temperature reading the moment you
insert the device. This will help take the guesswork out of your cooking and help you
perfect those recipes that are a little more finicky.
Microplane Grater
Finally, the unsuspecting microplane grater can be a real game changer when it
comes to adding zest and flavor to your dishes. This compact and affordable kitchen
gadget allows you to effortlessly grate citrus zest, garlic, hard cheeses, chocolate,
and more.
These fine, fluffy shavings can be used to expertly disperse flavor across your
dishes, brightening up just about any meal.
