Fern and Fog

Learning to cook is fun and frustrating. It’s something that comes easy to some and others have a tough time. I think cooking is one thing you either really like to do or just something to get by.

Why learn to cook? Well, it’s cheaper than eating out every night, especially if you are feeding more than just you. It can also be healthier than eating out. And knowing the basics can help you cook a simple healthy meal at home. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something a little more than cereal. Not that I’m knocking cereal for dinner, that’s kind of a staple around here!

So, I’m going to start a basic learning to cook series. It won’t be anything fancy, this is truly for people who are just learning their way around the kitchen. I’m teaching my husband to cook more than just spaghetti and macaroni and cheese (by his request), and he thought maybe we can use those lessons to help other people.

Today is a run down of what I think are essential tools for the kitchen. I have the usual stuff like knives but I also have Fibro, so some things I use are for accessibility when I just don’t have the strength or energy to use a traditional item.

I buy things from Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Sometimes Bed Bath and Beyond. Most everything on this list is easy to find and can usually be found at your local thrift store as well.

KNIVES–you will probably want at least 3. I started out with a basic 3 knife set from Walmart. It was cheap and easy to throw in the dishwasher. These included a paring knife( about 3″ long), a slicing or all purpose knife(about 5″) and a chef’s knife(between 7 and 9″). You will also want a knife sharpener (and to watch a couple YouTube videos on how to do it!) as a sharp knife is a safer knife. Most cuts in the kitchen come from either improper use of a knife OR a dull knife.

Honestly, if you can afford it, buy a really good chef’s knife. You want something that has a full tang, which means the steel of the knife goes all the way through the handle. If there are any welds or spots where 2 pieces meet, the knife isn’t as strong and may break or bend.

If you can afford it, you want your knives to be made of carbon(non stainless) steel as these can be sharpened easily although they are not good for the dishwasher as they can rust. These are better to be washed by hand. If carbon steel is out of your budget then a stainless steel knife is a good choice. Over all, you want your knife to be comfortable in your hand.

I have a rich axe viking series chef knife, but I can’t find them anywhere anymore. I’ve had it about 5 years and I totally love it. It’s the first knife I reach for.

CUTTING BOARDS–at least one. You want them to be rigid plastic. Wood cutting boards take extra care, glass and metal can dull your knife and may even chip and flexible cutting boards can slip causing injuries. I have 3 rigid plastic and one super large restaurant style cutting boards in different sizes. They can be thrown in the dishwasher and once a week be given a through cleaning followed by a bleach sanitizer of 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 gallon of water. Wipe the bleach water on with a rag and then rinse very well in fresh water.

SKILLETS–There are all sorts of different sizes and materials for skillets and other pots and pans. Non stick seems to be the most popular as it is easy to take care of and super easy to use. We don’t use non stick here as we have a parrot and the fumes that non stick can put off can kill him. We have a ceramic skillet, a copper skillet and a couple of cast iron. Cast Iron is a little work in the beginning as you have to season it if it isn’t preseasoned. I highly suggest a non stick. These are easy to clean, easy to maintain (if I didn’t have the bird, we would use these). A 10 inch is a good starting point, just enough room to cook things for 2 people, but not too big to find a place to store. In order to maintain these, you just give them a quick hand wash and dry, but please remember to not use metal utensils in them as they will scratch the surface.

POTS AND PANS–Again, there are a lot of sizes and materials for these. I would also suggest non stick for these as well. It’s just super easy to clean and take care of. You could buy a set of pots and pans, but for just a few pieces I suggest at least these three different ones.

Soup pot- These have curved bottoms and straight sides. 6 or 8 quart are good all around sizes. I use these pots for boiling pasta and making soup.

Sauce pan- A smaller pan than a soup pot, this is great for making veggies. I suggest a 4 quart as it seems to get the most use in our house, especially when it is just the 2 of us.

No matter which pan you are buying, you want them to be sturdy with thick bottoms so it prevents burning. You also want pans with handles that are attached very well to the pot. Look for rivets or screws.

UTENSILS— Not just eating utensils, but you’ll need stuff to cook with as well. You can get these in wood, stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel should not be used in non stick cookware. Wood can take on the taste and smell of whatever you are cooking. We use plastic unless we are cooking in our stainless skillets (which is not often. I don’t like them).

Spatulas are wide and flat squares with long handles. These are used for flipping eggs, pancakes and transferring cookies to cooling racks (or a plate).

Spatulas are also rubber, used for stirring batter for baking or making sure you get all the batter out of a bowl. These aren’t used for cooking as they will melt in the heat.

Spoons- Long handled and either slotted or non slotted. I have a couple of each as we also use them for serving food. The slotted type can also be used to straining things like veggies from their cooking liquids when serving.

Whisk- Used for scrambling eggs, whisking baked batter together or making sauces and gravies. I have one in stainless and one in rubber.

Tongs-these can be used for flipping things on sheet pans (think chicken nuggets or fish sticks, lol). We use them for serving salad, french fries, taking things out of hot oil. I suggest 2 pairs, one longer and one shorter.

Measuring cups and spoons- Usually these come as a set. I have plastic ones, but I’ve found that they warp in the dishwasher. I really like the metal ones. Also, a liquid measuring cup, which is completely different than the dry measuring cups. I suggest a Pyrex glass 2 cup measuring cup. It can go in the microwave and handle hotter temps than a plastic one.

Can Opener- Opening cans would be pretty hard without one of these. You can get a manual one or electric. Actually, if you get an electric one, I suggest a manual one as well, in case the electricity goes out.

Meat Thermometer-used to measure the doneness of meat, making sure it is safe to eat.

OTHER ITEMS– Non utensil items you should have

Mixing bowls- they come in plastic or metal. I like both types, but it seems that the metal ones are wider than plastic. The more room the better. They are used for mixing up cookies or cakes, putting together salads, etc. You can get these either separately or as a set.

Colander-Used for draining pasta, or other things cooked in liquid. Can also be used to rinse fruits and veggies.

Sheet Pans-Used for making cookies and roasting vegetables. These can be stainless steel or non stick. I also use these to warm tortillas in the oven or to keep pancakes and waffles warm while cooking in batches. I also use them to make sheet pan pancakes and cakes.

Cake pans-Deeper versions of sheet pans basically. Used for making cakes or casseroles. I use the stainless ones, but they can also be non stick and glass.

Food Chopper-This isn’t going to be essential for everyone, but it definitely is in our house. Sometimes I just don’t have the time or energy to spend on chopping things for our meals. It’s great for dicing onions, carrots, celery and potatoes. You do have to have some upper body strength to use it though. And it really doesn’t take place of good knife skills, if you have the ability to use a knife.

I know looking at this list, it seems like a lot. You can get pots and pans in a set as well as a knife block that has all the knives you need to start out with.

Measuring cups and spoons usually come together, although the liquid cup will be separate. These basic things will help make cooking easier.

Do you have a favorite tool you use in the kitchen?