An equipped kitchen is incredibly important for any home cook. Imagine baking a cake without mixing bowls or chopping veggies for a stir-fry without a knife. Whether you’re moving into a new home and need to stock your kitchen or you’ve been living with an ill-equipped cooking space for years – now is the time to take charge! While there are many cooking tools and equipment you can buy, here is a list of the top five utensils every kitchen needs.
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1. Chef’s Knife
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I’m not just talking about any old chef’s knife, I mean a good-quality one. Trust me, this is one tool that is worth the investment. A knife is the most used utensil in the kitchen, and having a sharp knife that properly slices, dices and chops is a key component for cooking. Higher-quality sharp knives are actually safer than dull, cheap varieties because they’re less likely to slip and cut you. A paring knife is also a great and inexpensive investment. It’s very sharp and great for chopping smaller veggies and fruit.
Food Network Canada Editor Pick: ZELITE INFINITY Chef Knife 8 Inch, From Amazon, $148.
Food Network Canada Editor Pick: Mercer Culinary 3.5-Inch Forged Paring Knife, From Amazon, $32.
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2. Mixing Bowls
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Mixing bowls are like your kitchen’s hands. You use them for just about anything, from storing to cooking to baking and everything in between. Having varying sizes is important because you will likely need a small, medium and large bowl depending on what you’re making. If you have a big family or often make large quantities of food, I highly recommend purchasing an extra-large bowl. I personally love stainless-steel, but any variety will work. If you tend to store food in your bowls, consider purchasing silicon lids: they’re reusable and easy to clean!
Food Network Canada Editor Pick: Luvan Stainless Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids, Set of 5, From Amazon, $51.
3. Cutting Boards
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A kitchen is not complete without cutting boards. Where are you going to chop your onions – on the counter? I don’t think so! Similar to mixing bowls, having varying sizes is important for any home cook. It’s also great to get a variety of materials such as wood, plastic or glass. Some people love to leave out a large all-purpose cutting board on their countertops, too. It’s a good idea to have designated cutting boards for meat and veggies/fruit to prevent any cross-contamination.
Food Network Canada Editor Pick: Home Organics Bamboo Cutting Boards, From Amazon, $18.
4. Wooden Spoon & Spatula
A home cook’s kitchen is not complete without spoons and spatulas! How are you going to mix your batter, sauté your onions or scrape your leftovers without them? A wooden spoon is a great all-purpose cooking utensil; it doesn’t scratch pots and pans, which makes it safe for frying and sautéing. It’s also a great baking utensil perfect for mixing and scraping. A spatula carries out many of the same tasks as a wooden spoon, especially if you get a silicone one. Spatulas are great for lifting and flipping. Get a spatula with a thin front edge rather than a thicker one so that it easily slides under food.
Food Network Canada Editor Pick: 6-Piece Natural Teak Kitchen Utensil Set, Amazon, $82.
Food Network Canada Editor Pick: KitchenAid Silicone Mixer Spatula, Amazon, $10.
5. Measuring Cups and Spoons
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It doesn’t matter if you’re baking or cooking, measuring out flours, grains, spices, sweeteners, vinegars and oils is important for crafting a delicious dish. Eyeballing when cooking is a wonderful skill to have; however, sometimes it’s important to be precise with the amounts you’re putting into your dish. Measuring cups and spoons will give you the precision you need (although some baking does require a scale) and you won’t have to worry if you added way too much of one ingredient. No one wants a meal that is overly spiced or seasoned.
Food Network Canada Editor Pick: U-Taste 10-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set, From Amazon, $28.
Looking for more tips? Learn how to organize your Tupperware drawer, plus 6 ways to fix over-salted food.
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