Proper kitchen: having a fully equipped kitchen

There are essentially two main categories of must-have staples for a well-stocked kitchen. The first is the equipment and the second is something to prepare. You shouldn’t need to rush out and buy a lot of kitchen equipment or stock up on grocery carts if you do a little planning.

EQUIPMENT

In addition to the essentials—a sink with hot and cold water, oven and stovetop, and a refrigerator—you’ll need a variety of kitchen utensils, something to drink, cookware, and dinnerware. Kitchen utensils first.

Cookware comes in a wide variety of materials and finishes. There are many schools of thought about what is best, so much of the choice is a matter of preference, as most cookware will do the job. I personally prefer stainless steel and have a few favorite cast iron pans, but I also have glass or Pyrex which I use frequently. You should look for some basic sizes in any set you buy.

• 10 pan for sautéing, making sauces, frying and one-dish meals
• 2- and 4-quart sauce pot for heating vegetables or cooking grains like rice, reheating canned foods like soups, and boiling small amounts of foods like some eggs.
• 8- or 10-quart pot for boiling pasta, potatoes, and making soups and stews.
• A small pan used for things like cooking eggs.
• And of course tapas.

Most cookware sets will come with at least these pieces, some will have more. If you choose a set with a nonstick coating, remember to replace it as soon as it shows signs of wear. Eating the layer that has been shed from the food is not healthy.

Small appliances like a coffee maker, kettle, and hand mixer are the basics. You may choose to get an electric can opener and a small food processor, but these are not required items. You can chop the food with a good knife and use a manual opener if necessary.

You will need kitchen utensils. I would recommend a pair of each of the following

• Spatula and pancake turner: Teflon ones are a good choice, however at least a metal one is useful for turning meats and the thinner edge makes turning pancakes or eggs a little easier.
• Whisk. This is used for making gravy, beating eggs and egg whites, beating puddings, and other tasks. You should have at least one, even if you plan on using an electric mixer most of the time.
• Several wooden spoons of different sizes.
• Several large metal spoons. These are not tableware, but rather the larger spoons used for cooking.
• A ladle is helpful, but you can use a large spoon instead.
• A pair of large double-pronged meat forks
• Flip flops
• At the height
• You can open And a key to the church. A church key is the kind used to open bottles and pierce cans. You may find an all-in-one that works well.

you will also need

• A kitchen timer. This is essential if you plan on baking anything.
• Salt and pepper shakers or pepper mill and salt shaker
• bowls in various sizes
• to strain
• Measuring cups for wet and dry ingredients and measuring spoons
• At least one, but preferably two cookie sheets, the type without sides
• A set of cake pans
• A rectangular-shaped pan with a side about 2 inches
• A square pan with sides of 2 or 3 inches
• Walking
• Storage containers for dry goods and leftovers

And of course, no kitchen will work without a good set of knives. Be sure to also look for a knife sharpener. More cooks are injured by dull knives than sharp ones because of the extra effort required to cut or slice food. Will need

• A small paring knife
• A large carving knife
• A serrated bread knife
• a meat cleaner

There are plenty of other gadgets and equipment you can get to stock your kitchen, but these are the basics. With this equipment you should be able to create delicious meals for your family.

BASIC FOODS

At the grocery store, you’ll want to make sure you add these basics to your list. If you’re just starting out, it may mean a higher bill at first, but once you’ve shopped for the basics, it’s easy to keep a list and pick up replacements when you see you’re running low. These are staple foods, not the usual foods you’ll buy to make your meals. You must have on hand in your pantry:

• Sugar, brown sugar and icing sugar
• Sweetie
• Syrup for pancakes, waffles and desserts
• all purpose flour
• cornstarch
• baking powder
• sodium bicarbonate
• Salt
• Pepper
• Spices, especially garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasonings. Chili powder, cumin, oregano, dried parsley, and sage are also good additions to the spice cabinet.
• Pickles and olives and capers if you like them.
• Flavoring extracts, especially vanilla and almond.
• coconut powder
• Quick cooking oatmeal (oatmeal)
• Rice
• Pasta
• dry beans
• Dried potatoes as in mashed potato flakes.
• Cans of tomato sauce and tomato puree, mushroom cream, chicken broth, evaporated milk and tuna
• Vinegar: white, apple cider, and balsamic are good options to start with
• Soy and Worcestershire sauces
• oil for frying
• solid shortening
• Cereals, especially those that can double as breadcrumbs, such as cornflakes.
• Canned vegetables as a backup. I like to keep a few cans of peas, corn, green beans, spinach, asparagus, mixed vegetables, small canned potatoes, and artichoke hearts on hand.
• canned fruit Pineapple, peaches and maybe a jar of applesauce
• jams and jellies
• milk powder
• Peanut butter unless of course there are allergies in your family
• Salad dressing
• Condiments such as ketchup, salsa, mayonnaise, and mustard
• Coffee and tea

You may want to add other items or you may want to make some adjustments, but this is a good base to start with.

In the fridge and freezer there should be at least

• a pound of butter
• eggs
• Milk
• Sour cream
• cream cheese
• assorted hard cheeses
• Assorted Nuts
• Cake bases (the frozen variety)
• whipped topping
• maraschino cherries
• vanilla ice cream
• Bacon
• Pork neck bones to season beans and soups
• Onions
• dad
• carrots
• Celery
• lemons

Don’t forget plates, bowls, cups and serving utensils. It’s nice to have a couple of large platters, but you can always serve right off the stove.

With these items you have all the basics you need to feed your family delicious meals that are cooked and served properly. You can add additional items to the list as you start to feel more confident about cooking or when you find that wonderful gadget that you just know will make your life in the kitchen so much easier. Cooking is not a chore unless you make it one. Being the family cook is a great responsibility, but it is also an honor and a way to show your family how much you love them. Remember, the most important thing to have in the kitchen at all times is LOVE. It will make every meal something special.