Good cooking takes technique, practice, and discipline. It also takes the right tools. While you probably have some basics at home, here are five products that will upgrade your cooking AND make your life easier. They might even inspire you to try out some complicated new recipes!
Microplane
The secret to taking your cooking game from 25 cent ramen queen to Rene Redzepi is to always pay attention to the small, finishing touches. That’s where the microplane comes in. Microplanes are perfect for zesting citrus or grating anything from nutmeg to garlic and ginger, or even hard cheeses! You could make the world’s simplest dish, but then sprinkle a little lemon zest on top and you’re a master chef.
Non-Stick Sauté Pan
Even if you like cooking, sometimes you just don’t want to deal with cleanup, which is why a non-stick pan is perfect. Not only do non-stick pans allow you to use less oil, but they also require very little cleanup afterwards. Whether you’re whipping up an omelette or tossing together a stir-fry, a good-quality non-stick sauté pan is essential. Might we suggest this non-toxic set from Caraway?
Bench Scraper
If you’ve ever watched a cooking show, you’ve probably seen one of these before. The humble (and super affordable) bench scraper is one of those things that you don’t think you need until you’ve used one. Whether you’re making scones, transferring onions from the cutting board to a pan, cleaning your work surface, or even cutting into things like lasagna, a bench scraper is the all-purpose tool you need to pick up ASAP.
A Set of Sharp, Quality Knives
Sharp knives are arguably the most important tool for an at-home chef, and just to clarify: quality doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy a 10-piece $600 set of handcrafted knives. It just means that you should go out and find a set that was made to last, and contains at least a really sharp chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife — like this set from Misen. There are few more satisfying feelings than cutting into an onion with a razor-sharp knife instead of the dull one you’ve been lugging around since college. It’ll seriously make you question how on earth you even enjoyed cooking before.
A Really Big Bowl
While you can manage just fine with your everyday cereal bowls for most recipes, there’s nothing more helpful in the kitchen than an absolutely massive bowl. We’re talking at least 14 inches in diameter. Trust us. Whether you’re whipping up a massive salad, baking, or making side dishes like mashed potatoes, a really big bowl will make your life SO much easier.
Now that we’ve prepared you for culinary success, go forth and get cooking! Might we suggest these simple recipes that you can whip up when you’re crunched for time? (link to another article)
