Having the right kitchen essentials is key to rustling up something delicious after a long working day, there’s nothing more frustrating than not having the right tools for the job.
Take a look at 10 of the tools of the trade that our chef says you simply can’t do without. With these kitchen essentials you’ll be cooking like a pro in no time at all.
The Chef’s Knife
This is probably the heartbeat of your kitchen. It’s your go-to tool when you want to do just about anything, and keeping it sharp is what being a diligent chef is all about. When you want to be able to make a start on your next culinary masterpiece, your chef’s knife better be within arms reach.
A Paring Knife
Whilst a chef’s knife is a great multipurpose tool, there are plenty of more precise jobs that it’s not all that well suited to. A paring knife is ideal for those up close and detail-orientated jobs like peeling, skinning, and deseeding. By offering you that extra little bit of control, it allows you to get things done quickly and cleanly.
Wooden Chopping Block
This is very much one for the meat lovers. By being able to cut up fresh cuts of meat, a chopping block protects your worktops and adds some authentic style to the kitchen. If you want something that will catch the eye — the thicker the block the better.
Salad Spinner
Fresh salad is often the perfect finishing touch for any evening meal. To get your greens tasting even crisper, give them a quick soak in a salad spinner and you’ll really be able to savour their flavour. Perfect for promoting healthy eating long after your holiday is over.
Large Mixing Bowl
It’s such a simple piece of equipment, but the large mixing bowl is something used by every chef in every kitchen in the world. No matter what you want to mix and knead; find a bowl with a large flat bottom and plenty of weight, and you’ll be all sorted.
Fish Spatula
Grilled fish is one of the staple protein sources in a healthy balanced diet, so why not cook more of it at home? Turning your prize catch is nice and easy when you have the correct tool, and a fish spatula is just what you need. The shape of the head is tailored to work with fish, which makes it that little bit easier to flip without breaking stride.
A Hand-Juicer
The final thing you’re going to want to get is a hand juicer. You may be tempted to go for a fancy electric juicer or food processor. But if you want to be totally satisfied with today’s evening meal, nothing compares to working with your hands to extract every last drop of flavour.
Programmable Slow Cooker
Although they may have a bad rap among some professional cooks, there is no denying the versatility of a slow cooker. There is no need to spend copious amounts of money on the highest quality cuts of meat. With a slow cooker, you’ll have juicy cuts of meat that fall off the bone every time. And it’s easy to use as well, set it and leave it.
