Kitchenware Essentials

I received a lovely email from Khara at Cookware.com, introducing their website and offering a guest post to round out my kitchen makeover series and hello! someone offering to do my homework for me?

So here we go.  What every kitchen needs to run smoothly but not be cluttered beyond all sense.

 

Do you really need a fondue pot in your kitchen?  What about a deep fryer, Dutch oven or a juicer?  I constantly find myself surrounded by temptation when out shopping at a home goods store.  Around ever corner there's some nice but wholly unnecessary kitchen appliance or fancy new cookware set that is beckoning me.  The key is to stop and think about what you actually need for your kitchen.  Here are some of the essential kitchenware
items that every home should have.

Pots and Pans

1-Quart Saucepan
3-Quart Saucier Pan
3-Quart Sauté Pan
2 Nonstick Fry Pans (1 large, 1 small)
1 Wok
1 Pasta Pot or Stock Pot
1 Dutch Oven

Small Kitchen Appliances

1 Toaster Oven
1 Microwave
1 Food Processor
1 Blender

Bakeware

1 Cake Pan
1 Pie Pan
1 Muffin Pan (8 or 12 Cup)
1 Heavy Duty Glass or Ceramic Baking Pan (for brownies or casseroles)
1 - 2 Cookie Sheets
1 Cooling Rack
1 Flour Sifter
1 Rolling Pin

 

Utensils

1 Knife Set (Including 1 8' Chef's or 7' Santoku Knife, 1 5' Utility Knife, 1 4' Paring Knife, 1 Serrated Knife, 1 Honing Steel)
Kitchen Shears
Knife Block or Magnet
1 - 2 Cutting Boards
Serving Spoons (Including Ladle, Slotted Spoon, Wooden Spoons)
1 - 2 Whisks
1 Spatula
1 Pair of Serving Tongs
1 Vegetable Peeler
1 Cheese Grater
1 Set of Mixing Bowls
1 Measuring Cup Set
1 Measuring Spoon Set
1 Kitchen Timer
1 Meat Thermometer
1 Colander

While the above list is just some recommended kitchenware essentials, you know your own skill level in the kitchen.  Stop and think about what you cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a given week.  Then stop and think about what you occasionally make for dessert, parties and special occasions.  You may find yourself adding to and subtracting from this list, which is totally fine.  Never be impulsive when it comes to shopping for your kitchen. If you just buy the things you need, you'll save both time and money.