Seven Items No Kitchen Should Be Without
January 10, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Miami
• 0 Comments
Seven Items No Kitchen Should Be Without
Many Florida culinary professionals have kitchens loaded with tools and gadgets they use to make the delicious traditional ethnic foods that Florida is famous for. You, too, may have many kitchen tools and gadgets, but no matter how many you own, there’s a good chance that your kitchen is underequipped. Sure you have a bunch of stuff. But the question is: Do you have the right stuff? We’ve put together this list of seven indispensible kitchen items that no kitchen should be without so you can compare what you have and fill in any gaps.
-
Cast Iron Skillet
You may have spent a pretty penny on those name-brand non-stick pots and pans, but you’re missing one of the best and most versatile kitchen tools, if you don’t have cast iron skillet. They are perfect for getting that restaurant-quality sear on cuts of meats. They stand up to incredibly high heat and are excellent for pan roasting meats and vegetables in the oven. In a pinch, larger ones with lids can even substitute for Dutch ovens
-
8-Inch Chef’s Knife
Cutting is one of the most difficult and most necessary culinary techniques to master. Replace that 10-year old Wal-Mart knife block with this very versatile master messer. It will do everything from slicing to dicing to carving roasted meats. With this knife in your arsenal you won’t need many others. Compliment it with a paring knife and a serrated bread knife to have a set of knives that will handle ninety-nine percent of your daily cutting needs
-
Digital Scale
When accuracy counts, this is the way to go. Many ingredients are better measured by weight rather than volume, especially flour. A digital scale is perfect for the task. You can place a container on the scale, zero it out, and make accurate measurements every time
-
Instant Read Probe Thermometer
The only way to truly gauge the doneness of food is by temperature. Insert a probe thermometer in everything from meats to bread and cakes to know exactly when they should be pulled from the oven. Look for models with temperature monitoring and a long oven-safe cord
-
Stand Mixer
The stand mixer may be the crowning jewel in the kitchen gadget junky’s collection, but it’s much more than a collector’s item. Their high-powered motors and cool accessories can take care of the toughest kitchen tasks, especially when preparing large meals. You only think that using a hand mixer is just as good. Get one of these beauties and you’ll wonder how you did without one for so long
-
Fine-Mesh Strainer
A strainer is one of the most overlooked kitchen tools. This versatile tool will improve your gravies, stocks, jellies, and sauces with its ability to get out pesky seeds, lumps, spices, and other nuisances that just can’t be spooned out. Improve your overall culinary techniques with this indispensable tool
-
Whisk
Don’t have one? Get one. Right now. Seriously. Now! Why? Because if you’re not mixing sauces and other wet mixtures with a whisk, then you’re only doing half the job. Sure you can incorporate all the ingredients with a fork or some other tool, but whisks not only mix, they aerate. They add air to your mixtures to give them lightness and body, which imparts more flavor. Just try making a meringue with a fork. It’s not going to happen
These aren’t the only indispensable tools for your kitchen, but they are some of the most important. Start with these, and you’ll be able to get through just about any recipe without having to run out to your local kitchen supply store.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Miami. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Miami offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in the Miami, Florida area. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Miami for more information.
Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.chefs.edu/disclosures. Le Cordon Bleu® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks of Career Education Corporation. Le Cordon Bleu cannot guarantee employment or salary. Credits earned are unlikely to transfer.