If one of your new year’s resolutions was to cook more and eat better, there are several kitchen items that can make your life a lot easier. Don’t get hung up on owning all the trendy gadgets, you can easily make amazing meals with every day essentials that won’t break the bank.
Here are our suggestions for the must have kit for your kitchen.
A colander
Doesn’t matter whether it is plastic, metal or something else entirely and they definitely don’t have to be pricy. These make draining and washing foods so much easier, so make sure to have one in your cupboard.
An all purpose pan
A non-stick one is ideal, but aren’t suitable for everyone, especially if you have pets as some animals are sensitive to the coating on these pans which can cause them health issues. Whatever you choose to go for, an all purpose pan is essential whether you want to fry an egg, make a stir fry or sear a steak – it’ll really help you out. Try and get one that is also oven and dishwasher safe, it’ll make your life even easier! A cast iron pan is another good addition to the kitchen, especially for cooking meat and they’re safe for pets!
A wooden spoon
Cakes, soups, sauces, stews… You name it, you can mix it with a wooden spoon. These don’t scratch pans and there is no risk of melting like a plastic one does. Every kitchen needs one!
A grater
Box graters are the best as they have lots of different sides so you can grate to your preferred size and shape. Not just for grating cheese, you can grate vegetables, fruit and even chocolate! Several recipes will call for grated ingredients, so a grater is a good addition to the kitchen.
A hand blender
These are typically a lot smaller and therefore, easier to store and clean. Having a hand blender means you can make soups and smoothies, as well as cakes and sauces. Generally speaking, these are much cheaper than food processors too, so if you don’t have one, look out for one.
Knives
Blunt, poor quality knives can cause a whole host of problems in the kitchen – from uneven chopping to a risk of injury – its just not worth it. A good quality knife set could cost a fair bit, so make sure to keep an eye on bargains and sales, but they are definitely worth the investment. Make sure your set comes with a paring knife, a chef’s knife and a serrated knife and be sure to keep them sharpened.
Spatulas
Spatulas are so handy, especially if you’re a baker! Aim to get one made from silicon as these can withstand high temperatures. It is also handy to have slotted spatulas on hand, these are typically metal, and are great for lifting food from pans and baking trays without breakage.
A whisk
Doesn’t matter if you opt for an electric whisk or something more traditional but if you want the perfect eggs or a light fluffy cake, a whisk is essential.
What are your go-to kitchen items? You can let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
