If you are setting up a kitchen for the first time, here is your shopping list. You don’t have to be gourmet chef or even a good cook. All you need are the essentials. I love to cook and I am a sucker for gadgets. Now I have a kitchen full. Of course, each year, I go through and cull but my advice is stick to the basics and not clutter your cabinets and shelves.
Caution: Even though some pots and pans claim they are suitable for baking, frying, stewing, and roasting, there is rarely one type of material that can do it all. When you shop to stock your kitchen, buy each piece of equipment individually in a size and material appropriate for its function.
Your shopping list is below. One more thing, purchase a good cookbook or two. Get shopping and get cooking! Experiment and have fun! Try new recipes and try new foods. Once your kitchen is equipped, everything is at your fingertips!
Pots and Pans
• 1-quart and 2-quart pans • glass, oven-proof casseroles
(boiler) with lids (such as Pyrex)
• 2-quart double boiler with lid • cast-iron skillets (6-inch and
• 4-quart pan (boiler) with lid 10-inch)
• 8- to 10-quart stock pot with lid • one or two skillet lids
• Dutch oven • splatter screen for skillets
• non-stick skillets (medium • heavy stainless steel roasting pan
and large)
Baking Equipment
• baking sheet • clear glass, oven-proof baking
• three 9-inch round cake pans dishes
(for layer cakes) • covered casseroles
• spring pan (for cheese cake) • custard cups
• one 8- or 9-inch tube or • large, heavy rolling pin
• 9x5x3-inch loaf pan • biscuit and pastry cutters
• pie pans (including a deep- • pastry brush
dish pan) • dough scraper
• muffin pan Bundt cake pan • wire cake racks
Mixing and Measuring Equipment
• stainless steel or glass mixing • 2-cup flour sifter
bowls, in assorted sizes • stainless steel dry-measure cups
• glass liquid-measure cup (with • stainless steel measuring spoons
handle and spout)
Knives
• chef’s knife (8- to 10-inch) • slicing knife
• paring knife • sharpening steel or whetstone
• serrated bread knife
Utensils
• long-handled wooden spoons • colander
• wooden and metal tongs • funnel
• heavy, long-handled kitchen • cheese grater
fork • lemon squeezer
• slotted metal kitchen spoon • kitchen timer
• solid metal kitchen spoon • food thermometers
• wire whisks • strainers and sieves
• rubber spatulas
Electric Appliances
• food processor • electric mixer
• blender • toaster oven
Reprinted from Premier Bride of Mississippi. Want more? Visit www.premierbridems.com