Kitchen Utensils and Cookware
You'll find kitchen utensils, cookware, tools and gadgets for every conceivable use, from asparagus cookers to garlic presses, but which ones do you really need? Here's a guide to basics you'll need.
A good quality set of pots and pans. They come in several types, stainless steel, aluminum, non-stick, and cast iron. Aluminum can easily dent, and can react with acidic foods such as citrus and tomatoes. Stay away from the cheaper brands and stick to ones that are anodized. Non-stick pans are great, but bird owners need to be careful as they give off toxic fumes when heated to high temps. Cast iron is durable and cooks food evenly, a great choice if you don't mind the weight.
Good quality, sharp knives, you need a paring knife, chefs knife and a serated knife for slicing breads. Sharp knives will not only make your cutting tasks such as chopping and slicing easier, they are actually safer. Dull knives tend to shift and slip, making cuts more likely.
Cooking utensils; tongs, wire whisks, slotted spoons, and heat resistant spatulas or flippers are kitchen workhorses. You'll also need a pair of kitchen shears and a few wooden spoons as well. If you like cooking with fresh garlic a garlic press is pretty handy!
Every kitchen should have at least one measuring cup and a set of measuring spoons for both dry and wet ingredients. Plunger type measuring cups are great for measuring sticky ingredients like peanut butter and honey.
A set of good mixing bowls will serve you well. A good mixer and food processor are essentials if you cook and bake alot. Go for a hand mixer if you're short on counter space.
Bake ware; cookie sheets in several sizes, a muffin pan, and cake pans in both 13X9 and 8x8 sizes will come in handy for everything from brownies to heating up frozen treats like fish sticks and pizza. Glass baking dishes are also handy for casseroles and lasagna.
Don't forget to invest in several high quality pot holders and oven mitts to handle hot pans and pots safely. Finally, the most important kitchen tool of all is a working fire extinguisher! Make sure you have one available at all times and that you know how to use it.
A good quality set of pots and pans. They come in several types, stainless steel, aluminum, non-stick, and cast iron. Aluminum can easily dent, and can react with acidic foods such as citrus and tomatoes. Stay away from the cheaper brands and stick to ones that are anodized. Non-stick pans are great, but bird owners need to be careful as they give off toxic fumes when heated to high temps. Cast iron is durable and cooks food evenly, a great choice if you don't mind the weight.
Good quality, sharp knives, you need a paring knife, chefs knife and a serated knife for slicing breads. Sharp knives will not only make your cutting tasks such as chopping and slicing easier, they are actually safer. Dull knives tend to shift and slip, making cuts more likely.
Cooking utensils; tongs, wire whisks, slotted spoons, and heat resistant spatulas or flippers are kitchen workhorses. You'll also need a pair of kitchen shears and a few wooden spoons as well. If you like cooking with fresh garlic a garlic press is pretty handy!
Every kitchen should have at least one measuring cup and a set of measuring spoons for both dry and wet ingredients. Plunger type measuring cups are great for measuring sticky ingredients like peanut butter and honey.
A set of good mixing bowls will serve you well. A good mixer and food processor are essentials if you cook and bake alot. Go for a hand mixer if you're short on counter space.
Bake ware; cookie sheets in several sizes, a muffin pan, and cake pans in both 13X9 and 8x8 sizes will come in handy for everything from brownies to heating up frozen treats like fish sticks and pizza. Glass baking dishes are also handy for casseroles and lasagna.
Don't forget to invest in several high quality pot holders and oven mitts to handle hot pans and pots safely. Finally, the most important kitchen tool of all is a working fire extinguisher! Make sure you have one available at all times and that you know how to use it.
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