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15 BASIC KITCHEN TOOLS

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

© Chef LaLa

© Chef LaLa

 

Any way you slice it, dice it or shred it, eat well to live well!  Having the right tools to help you prepare meals and snacks will make cooking fun, easy, nutritious and delicious.  You only need a few basic food preparation items to get started on your path to eating well, feeling great and even saving money by preparing food at home.  As you become more comfortable cooking, you can add other items, depending on your needs but here are the 15 basics…

 

Kitchen Tool

Purpose

Non-slip Plastic Cutting board

Prevents slipping and protects food and counters.  Be sure to prep meats last and wash well before using again

Chef’s Knife

Used for chopping everything from herbs to vegetables

Paring Knife

Good for delicate tasks such as peeling, coring, or trimming

Serrated Knife

Best for foods that have a different texture inside versus outside such as breads, tomatoes, and meats

Knife Sharpening Steel

All knives work best when sharpened briefly prior to use

Strainer

Choose a stand-alone for washing fruits and vegetables and straining pastas

Grater

Use for veggies, cheeses and more as toppings, and in salads, and slaws

Large Skillet with Lid

Great for browning, sautéing, frying, omelets, pancakes, and stir-fries

Saucepan with Lid

Great for rice, smaller servings, and sauces

Large Cooking Pot with Lid

Best for soups, pastas, and steamed veggies

Mixing Bowls, Measuring Spoons and Cup

Essential for preparation and when clean bowls can also be used for serving

Large Spoon and Spatula

Use plastic or rubber for non-stick surfaces and remove quickly so they don’t melt

Pot Holders

Hot steam and handles on pots and pans can easily burn

Meat Thermometer

To be sure meat is safely cooked, test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer

Jellyroll Pan

Used for baking meats, veggies or cookies

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