What do you always keep in your kitchen? When Nora Ephron compiled her well-known list of things she would and wouldn’t miss, she mentioned that she would miss butter, pie, bacon, waffles, and the idea of waffles. This got me thinking about the foods that spark joy for others.
Inquisitive, I reached out to cookbook author Dan Pelosi this morning, and his items included: “olive oil, rigatoni, castelvetrano olives, lemons, anchovies.” Our dear Jenny Rosenstrach shared with me: “hummus, yogurt, cabbage, cottage cheese — and this season, Mallomars.”
Eric Kim and Adam Roberts
Then I inquired with my friend Adam from The Amateur Gourmet, and he replied: “blueberries, bittersweet chocolate, Frantoia olive oil, anchovies, and Aleppo pepper for that fruity kick.”
Kate Baer, poet and mother of four, has “tortilla chips, feta, roadside fruit, frozen peas, and sourdough bread from my sister-in-law.”
Ali Slagle recently wrote about Samin Nosrat’s 40 essential ingredients, which feature Dijon mustard, chickpeas, basmati rice, bone-in chicken thighs, and red onions. And from Trader Joe’s? She keeps Taiwanese Green Onion Pancakes in the freezer. “Then I can — for breakfast or dinner — have a scrambled egg or two on a scallion pancake.”
Lastly, I had to ask Freddie, my personal chef, and his essentials were: “apples, eggs, chicken stock, olive oil, and black pepper (from the mill, you need to grate it fresh). Oh, and broccoli in the freezer, so I can sauté it with garlic and oil for my boys.”
What five items do you always have available? I’d love to know. Our own list has remained fairly consistent: cheddar cheese, French yogurts, honeycrisp apples, Gotham Greens pesto, and cavatappi pasta. Plus, all the boxes of Cheerios for teenage boy breakfasts!
P.S. My favorite lunch, the best jarred tomato sauce, and what are your pet peeves? (I have a peculiar one.) Additionally, we posed this question three years ago and nine years ago! Have your responses changed?
**Essential Kitchen Tools You Can’t Live Without**
An adequately equipped kitchen forms the foundation of any home, allowing you to cook meals efficiently and joyfully. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced chef, some kitchen staples are irreplaceable. Here’s a guide to the essential items that will make your culinary tasks successful and pleasurable.
**1. Chef’s Knife:**
A quality chef’s knife is arguably the most crucial tool in your kitchen. Its versatility allows you to tackle various tasks, from chopping vegetables to slicing meat. Seek a knife with a comfortable handle and a well-balanced blade.
**2. Cutting Board:**
A robust cutting board is vital for food preparation. Choose one made of wood or plastic, as these materials are gentle on your knives. Having several boards can help avoid cross-contamination between raw meats and other foods.
**3. Measuring Cups and Spoons:**
Accuracy is essential in cooking and baking, making measuring cups and spoons crucial. Invest in a set that has both dry and liquid measuring instruments to ensure precision in your recipes.
**4. Mixing Bowls:**
A set of mixing bowls in various sizes is key for combining ingredients, marinating, and serving. Stainless steel or glass bowls are long-lasting and straightforward to clean.
**5. Skillet:**
A high-quality skillet is a kitchen workhorse, ideal for frying, sautéing, and browning. Non-stick skillets are fantastic for easy cleanup, while cast iron skillets provide excellent heat retention and flavor enhancement.
**6. Saucepan:**
A medium-sized saucepan is necessary for making sauces, boiling pasta, or reheating leftovers. Look for one with a sturdy handle and a well-fitting lid.
**7. Baking Sheet:**
A multifunctional baking sheet is useful for everything from roasting vegetables to baking cookies. Opt for a heavy-duty sheet that will not warp in the oven.
**8. Colander:**
A colander is indispensable for draining pasta, washing vegetables, and rinsing canned beans. A stainless steel or plastic colander with strong handles is a sensible option.
**9. Wooden Spoon:**
Wooden spoons are gentle on cookware and won’t damage non-stick surfaces. They are perfect for stirring soups, sauces, and stews.
**10. Can Opener:**
A dependable can opener is a must-have for opening canned products. Manual or electric options are available, but make sure it’s easy to operate and clean.
**11. Peeler:**
An efficient peeler simplifies peeling fruits and vegetables. A swivel peeler is adaptable and easy to maneuver.
**12. Whisk:**
A whisk is vital for smoothly blending ingredients, whether you’re making scrambled eggs or whipping cream. A balloon whisk is particularly good for incorporating air into mixtures.
**13. Tongs:**
Tongs are invaluable for flipping meat, tossing salads, and serving pasta. Choose a pair with a comfortable grip and a locking mechanism for easy storage.
**14. Grater:**
A box grater is versatile, allowing you to shred cheese, zest citrus, and grate vegetables. Stainless steel graters are durable and easy to clean.
**15. Food Storage Containers:**
Keeping leftovers fresh is a breeze with a set of food storage containers. Look for containers that are microwave-safe and stackable to save space.
**Conclusion:**
Furnishing your kitchen with these essential items will streamline your cooking routine and improve your culinary experience. Investing in quality tools not only makes cooking more enjoyable but also ensures that your kitchen is ready for any recipe you wish to try.
