Kitchen Essentials
Over many years of product testing and honing my kitchen efficiency,
here are my top kitchen must haves to make cooking an enjoyable experience!
“The best investment is in the tools of ones own trade”
-Benjamin Franklin
Knives
Victorinox has become my go-to knife brand throughout the kitchen. After many years of daily use, these knives still perform as well as when they emerged from their boxes. Although they have an inexpensive price tag, they are ready to use and stay sharp without the need for routine sharpening.
- 8″ Chef
- Bread
- Paring
- Serrated paring
Ice Cream Scoops
The versatility of an ice cream scoop goes beyond ice cream, which makes it a great addition to any kitchen. Ice cream scoop sizes range from #70 (smallest) to #20 (largest). Each size corresponds to the number of scoops that can be obtained from a quart of ice cream. Ice cream scoops are great for measuring uniform cookie dough balls and vegan ‘meatballs’ along with quickly filling muffin and cupcake pans. The most common scoop size for dispensing cookie dough is #40, which is about 1.6 tablespoons of dough.
- #20 scoop
- #40 scoop
Cast Iron
A study cast iron pan can and will last for generations. Vintage cast iron has been around for many years and is ideal for a beginner chef. The more cast iron is used, the better it will perform. Stroll over to your local antique shop to seek out your new ‘old’ cast iron pan. Stay tuned for a simple step-by-step care guide to ensure your cast iron continues to last for generations!
Kitchen Scale
Utilizing a scale when cooking, and most importantly baking, will increase your efficiency and enjoyment! Knowing that you are able to measure an accurate quantity of ingredients will help ensure the end result is picture perfect. Kitchen scales also help to reduce the number of measuring utensils that need to be washed!
- Scale
Sheet Pans and Other Baking Pans
- Half sheet
- Quarter sheet
Food Storage and Labeling
The most versatile storage containers happen to be simple, plastic deli-style containers. They offer universal lids, easily stack for compact storage, and are available in a variety of sizes.
- Deli-style container multi-pack
Whether mixing salad dressings or sauces, preparing home-made jams or pickles, or blending up a smoothie to-go, mason jars provide a plethora of helpful uses.
- Mason Jars
Properly labeled food in the pantry, fridge, and freezer ensures that ingredients are not forgotten or spoiled before being utilized. The easiest method to label containers is a roll of painters tape and a permanent marker. It may not appear glamorous, but it is quick and convenient. Remember to identify and date every container, so you are not wondering about the origins of long-forgotten mystery ingredients found in the back of the freezer.
- Painters tape
- Permanent marker
Olive Oil
Graza Olive Oil is fairly new to the market, beginning in 2021, but offers a great alternative to the commonly found brands. Picked, pressed and bottle in Jaen, Spain, Graza offers a fresh vegetal taste complemented by peppery notes without overpowering other ingredients. A great deal of thought was placed into the design of the Graza bottle. Traditional olive oil bottles lack control when pouring and often leaves the bottle coated with oil. The ingenuity of the squeeze bottle offers exact precision, quick accessibility, and pour control to ensure you don’t saturate your food with oil.
- Graza “Sizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Everyday cooking oil
- Graza “Drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Finishing oil for salad dressings, bread dipping and other non-heat situations
Dried Beans
ADD SUMMARY
- Rancho Gordo