Extra Helpings: The Top Ten Items For Your First Kitchen
Marnie asks: What’s the basic stuff I need for my kitchen? I’m moving into my first apartment and don’t have a lot of money for extras.
Congrats on the apartment and on your desire to cook. You’ll save money… money that can be used, perhaps, for that Mauviel copper sauté pan you covet. Buy what you can afford now and upgrade when you’re able (or, let someone help you by dropping subtle hints when gift-giving opportunities present themselves).
Most of the things on my list are items that my grandmother would have had in her kitchen. Okay, I’ll admit she didn’t have SILICONE spatulas, but she did have spatulas in different shapes and sizes…. and her instant read thermometer was her nose and thumb.
The point is that you don’t need a kitchen full of stuff to cook. Just the passion to do it for yourself and for those you love.
As Julia Child said:
“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.”
(Click on the image to make it bigger!)
I always suggest getting those packaged items that contain all of the essential items that you need for your kitchen rather than buying them individually.
I remember when I first got my own apartment. It was one of the things I worried about as well. First thing I did was go out and bought a cheap pot set that lasted only a few months. Wish I had this list back then. I would recommend never buying any cheap pots. 🙂
But sometimes that is all we can afford so we do what we can… Thanks for checking in! How’s that baby girl?!
This is a great list! I’m happy to say that my (started long ago) kitchen has them all, although the cast iron skillet is a new addition. Now we use it all the time! It is an amazing tool, especially, as you suggest when we aren’t worried about screwing up and just go for it! Visiting from the Show Off Weekend Blog Party.
Thanks for stopping by. I love my cast iron pan… it was a later addition because I wanted a really good one so I had to wait! Thanks for dropping by… go to your site now!
This is a great list! I’d add one more thing-a pancake turner. We’d be lost without ours. It gets used every day.
Yes! In silicone! Thanks for stopping by!