10 Cooking Tools Every Home Cook Needs
Last week, The Globe and Mail ran an article on the 16 cooking tools that every home cook needs. It was a comprehensive list, and I felt that for the most part I agreed with the items listed. It also got me thinking about my favourite kitchen tools – not the ones I need for my role as a food writer, but the items I require to cook well for my family.
In no particular order, here’s what I came up with:
- Kitchen Tongs
As essential for turning meat and other hot and messy jobs that you can’t do with your hands.
- Wooden Spoons
I have at least a dozen in many shapes and sizes, and I use them every single day.
- Spatula
A necessary tool for flipping eggs and pancakes (I make both weekly).
- Knives
Here is a guide to my four favourites.
- Dutch Oven
These stove-to-oven pots are essential in my kitchen and I keep two different sizes on hand: 5L and 3L.
- Cutting Board
Wooden is my favourite and I keep a few different sizes around to double as pretty cheese boards.
- Vegetable Peeler
The ‘Y’-shaped peelers are my go-to choice, but any kind will work. Just be sure to have one because peeling a carrot with a knife is never fun.
- Baking Pans: 8’ Round, 9’ Square, 9’x13’ Loaf Pan
Think birthdays and bake sales and that should be enough reason to keep a few different sizes on hand.
- Mixing Bowls
I like my mixing bowls to double as serving bowls, so glass or pretty coloured ones are my favourite.
- KitchenAid Mixer
My mixer is my best friend in the kitchen and I use it at least once a week.
I do realize that what is necessary for some home cooks, isn’t essential for others. For example, I haven’t owned a microwave for 14 years, and I just got my very first food processor last year. I’m curious though, what are your must-have cooking tools? Is there anything on my list that you could do without?
