One of the most rewarding compliments anyone can receive is, "I didn't know you could cook so well." No matter the occasion or where the compliment comes from, it is always appreciated. The skills required to cook that perfect meal can be acquired through practice and a practical approach to the task at hand.
Owning the right kitchen tools and having them easily accessible can make cooking easier and even fun. Having the right tools for the job is important in everything else you do, why should cooking be any different? So let's have a look at ways to get what you need and what it's going to take to get you well on the road to earning the accolades you deserve for your hard work.
The first thing you should do is; think about what kind of food you normally eat. Like any other job, if the task is one you enjoy, the work will be enjoyable. When the task is more enjoyable then the outcome will be more favorable. If you are a staunch vegetarian, maybe a BBQ set isn't for you, however nice grilled carrots might sound. Really brainstorm over the type of cooking you are predisposed towards. Don't put yourself through a meat grinder, but do a little soul searching.
If establishing what type of food you are going to cook on a regular basis is the first step, the second step would be to locate where to purchase the needed tools. There are a lot of deals to be had on the internet on specialized kitchen tools. I don't think your local, big box retailer will carry that grinder, but cutting boards and wooden spatulas are generally easier to come by there. Pasta makers, revolutionary bread makers and the next big wiz-bang can be found cheaper on the internet. Provided you don't need something in 10 minutes, shopping on the net gives you more options.
There are some specialized kitchen tools you should not be left without. A good set of plastic cutting boards and a sharp, good quality knife set are the base of any endeavor. Consider these your foundation. Generally, a four sided grater for cheese and veggies is a good idea. Wooden spoons and rubber tipped spatulas for mixing and cooking are essential. I recommend a mortar and pestle for things like fresh oregano and cilantro and a grinder for dried spices such as black pepper and mustard seed. Try to buy corers and kitchen shears with rubber handles if possible. Anyone who's ever had to peel more than 4 potatoes at time will know why. Most professional kitchens will use a glass measuring cup and metal or plastic measuring spoons. I will take it to the next level and suggest a 2 cup measuring cup.
Aside from what's on the box there are literally millions of things you can do with just a simple paring knife. Fresh radishes become crowns for garnishment and added roughage. With just a few twists of a peeler and you have a nice apple ribbon on the side of your homemade apple pancakes. The two main things are to think healthy and think fresh. Fresh black pepper from the pepper grinder is preferred for cooking. The same can be said for ginger root and especially garlic. A good food processor can help with a lot of this and really cut down on time spent mincing and dicing. Fresh will always be better.
Remember that cleaning up and taking care of your new tools is important too. Use a small hand scrubber or bottle brush to get into the nooks and crannies. Make sure what you are putting into the dishwasher is dishwasher safe. There has been a lot of good kitchenware ruined because of dishwashers. So make sure you know if the item you are putting into the dishwasher can handle the heat of the dry cycle and never put any electrical appliance into it. Also, a good idea for storage is to install an upright sliding shelf in some under-counter space. It will save you time and the dangers of having a "catch all" drawer full of sharp objects.
The main cooking tool is you though. Remember, your cooking skill is just that-a skill. It's acquired through practice and patience. Good luck and go cook something! - 30289
Owning the right kitchen tools and having them easily accessible can make cooking easier and even fun. Having the right tools for the job is important in everything else you do, why should cooking be any different? So let's have a look at ways to get what you need and what it's going to take to get you well on the road to earning the accolades you deserve for your hard work.
The first thing you should do is; think about what kind of food you normally eat. Like any other job, if the task is one you enjoy, the work will be enjoyable. When the task is more enjoyable then the outcome will be more favorable. If you are a staunch vegetarian, maybe a BBQ set isn't for you, however nice grilled carrots might sound. Really brainstorm over the type of cooking you are predisposed towards. Don't put yourself through a meat grinder, but do a little soul searching.
If establishing what type of food you are going to cook on a regular basis is the first step, the second step would be to locate where to purchase the needed tools. There are a lot of deals to be had on the internet on specialized kitchen tools. I don't think your local, big box retailer will carry that grinder, but cutting boards and wooden spatulas are generally easier to come by there. Pasta makers, revolutionary bread makers and the next big wiz-bang can be found cheaper on the internet. Provided you don't need something in 10 minutes, shopping on the net gives you more options.
There are some specialized kitchen tools you should not be left without. A good set of plastic cutting boards and a sharp, good quality knife set are the base of any endeavor. Consider these your foundation. Generally, a four sided grater for cheese and veggies is a good idea. Wooden spoons and rubber tipped spatulas for mixing and cooking are essential. I recommend a mortar and pestle for things like fresh oregano and cilantro and a grinder for dried spices such as black pepper and mustard seed. Try to buy corers and kitchen shears with rubber handles if possible. Anyone who's ever had to peel more than 4 potatoes at time will know why. Most professional kitchens will use a glass measuring cup and metal or plastic measuring spoons. I will take it to the next level and suggest a 2 cup measuring cup.
Aside from what's on the box there are literally millions of things you can do with just a simple paring knife. Fresh radishes become crowns for garnishment and added roughage. With just a few twists of a peeler and you have a nice apple ribbon on the side of your homemade apple pancakes. The two main things are to think healthy and think fresh. Fresh black pepper from the pepper grinder is preferred for cooking. The same can be said for ginger root and especially garlic. A good food processor can help with a lot of this and really cut down on time spent mincing and dicing. Fresh will always be better.
Remember that cleaning up and taking care of your new tools is important too. Use a small hand scrubber or bottle brush to get into the nooks and crannies. Make sure what you are putting into the dishwasher is dishwasher safe. There has been a lot of good kitchenware ruined because of dishwashers. So make sure you know if the item you are putting into the dishwasher can handle the heat of the dry cycle and never put any electrical appliance into it. Also, a good idea for storage is to install an upright sliding shelf in some under-counter space. It will save you time and the dangers of having a "catch all" drawer full of sharp objects.
The main cooking tool is you though. Remember, your cooking skill is just that-a skill. It's acquired through practice and patience. Good luck and go cook something! - 30289
About the Author:
Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on Slicer Meat which discusses various meat slicers on the market and which one might be an option for you and your family.
