Thursday, March 3, 2011

Never underestimate the power of good equipment

I have been married for 12 years and have never owned a whole set of really good knives. I have a few pieces from Cutco and those have been really good to me. However, the few of those that I have are serrated. And when it comes to chopping certain veggies, trimming meat, and doing several other things, those type of knives just don't work, no matter how good they are! So, since I'm on a Wal-Mart budget, I went there and found a really nice chef's knife from Chicago Cutlery. I spent about $20 on it, but now that I have it, I don't know what I ever did without it! I've been flying through my chopping, cutting and prepping in half the normal amount of time it used to take me!
If you aren't a good cook, maybe you just need better tools.

Here are a few things I've thought of that every cook needs to have:

!. Cutting Board and Good Knives: If you can't get a whole set of knives, then start with the basics (i.e. paring knife, chef's knife, serrated bread knife, 6 inch chopping knife). Look for knives that are made from one piece of metal, they'll be sturdier and last longer.

2. Mixing Bowls: They're not just for mixing. You'll use these for a LOT of things. FInd a set that comes with three or four different sizes to nest inside each other.

3. Measuring Cups and Spoons: A 2 cup pyrex measuring cup is a must, along with a set of nesting cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup) and spoons (1 Tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon).

4. A good set of pots and pans. These are worth the splurge, because they will last you a lifetime if you take good care of them.

5. Lastly, a timer! Don't assume you'll remember when to take it out. Especially if you have children. They suck every last brain cell out of your head and cause you to forget things you never thought you'd forget. Trust me.

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