Things to hunt down during the sales!
These are genuinely all items I use and chose because I like them.
For me, its not about wanting the most expensive, trendy or what matches my kitchen decor.
Finally – I found a food processor that works as as it should and is one of the cheaper ones! Scroll down for details. (PS You seePesto!)
So you will find almost nothing cool on this list, not even anything cute and pretty!
That might disappoint some of you looking for gift ideas.
And isnt that what gift giving is all about?
Finally – I found a food processor that works as as it should and is one of the cheaper ones! Scroll down for details. (PS You seePesto!)
(I mean, being at the front of their mind, not making the recipient happy hah! )
And so I present to you, the inaugural RecipeTin Eats Essential Kitchenware Guide!!!
The RecipeTin ESSENTIAL Kitchenware Guide
About product links no affiliate links!
I have purchased all these items myself.
Most items link to the product sites so you’re able to read first hand information about it.
But search to find the best prices from reputable online stores.
Big discount kitchenware stores just drop me off and leave me there for the day!
#1A really good chefs knife
The single most valuable item in the kitchen!
A really good chefs knife should be seen as an investment worth making.
Cornbreadcooked in my 26cm / 10.5″ Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Ive written a separate post on choosing a great knife seeMy Favourite Kitchen Knives.
Too much information for this post!
In summary:
1.
Chefs Knife the all rounder to use for everything.
Unfortunately, being a bespoke item, the knife-maker no longer makes them.
Knife on saleherefor $119 (RRP A$199).
Standing Rib Beef Roast: Sear-smear-roast all in the same Lodge Cast Iron Skillet!
Wusthof Chefs Knife(third pick, popular in the US): Wusthof 8 ClassicChefs Knife.
Americans seem to love it, though.
Bread knife:Global 22cm/9bread knife, on saleherefor A$129 (RRP A$199)
3.
Malaysian Chicken Satay currycooked and served in the Lodge cast iron skillet.
Small / utility knife(optional): Global Classic 15cm/6utility knife.
Similar onehereon sale for A$69 (RRP A$179)
4.
Ive included other recommendations and the full list of my knife collection in theMy Favourite Kitchen Knivespost.
Top tip:Never buy a knife without an appropriate sharpener!
Read on for why!)
My favourite skillet by far.
Irish Beef and Guinness Stewin Duck Egg Blue Chasseur Dutch Oven
Nothing gets a good crust on steak like cast iron!
But for real life and work cooking, its amongst my most used vessels.
It also looks much better in photos than my non-stick skillets!
But its really only suited to searing things for 2 to 3 people (like steak).
Id go up to 30cm/12 if youre feeding a family of 4 to 5.
#3 A good cast ironDutch Oven
What I use:24cm Chasseur Dutch Oven(but itsFrench!)
(RRP A$549 but find it for as low as ~A$229 online such ashereandhere).
Mine are Duck Egg Blue and White.
Other recommended brands: Le Cresuet (available virtually world-wide), Staub (popular in the US).
Why are they so superior to cheap and thin-style steel or aluminium pots for most purposes?
They are perfect for feeding 4 6. Notable mention:Staub, another French made cast iron cookware.
A popular US brand, all my food blogger friends use it!
Its virtually the same build as Chasseur, just a slightly boxier look which I really like.
This makes it hard to see burnt bits on the base and the true colour of sauces.
Cheaper Dutch Ovens than the three mentioned brands exist but are not as heavy duty.
Homemade gravymade in my 18cm Scanpan Impact Saucepan.
So they will not retain nor distribute heat as evenly.
That said, they are still far better than light aluminium pots!
But NEVER use non stick for aggressive searing of steaks and chops youll burn away the non stick coating!
NEVER use non stick pans for high-heat aggressive searing of steaks, it destroys the non stick coating!
Use something like the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet (above) or silver skillet (next).
For things that are notorious for sticking (Im looking at YOU, fish and eggs!)
Not only for its durability it should last near a lifetime if you look after it correctly, ie.
NO dishwasher & NO aggressive searing steaks but also for superior heat distribution performance.
Its good for tossingstir fries,noodlesandpastain it too, and anything saucy likeBeef Stroganofforcurries.
Two completely different recipes that rely on my Thermapen otherwise I’m FRYING blind: Achieving the target temperature forChocolate Mirror Glazeand forFried Chicken(oil temp and to check the chicken is cooked).
So Im just adding it to the list for honest completeness.
#6 Saucepans and pots
I also have stainless steel Scanpan saucepans and pots.
Hence, I feel its worth investing in better gear.
Its taller than it is wider.
Mainly forWhole Chicken Noodle Soupfrom scratch orBeef Pho.
Or very large batches ofsoup,stewsetc.
It has the 16cm & 20cm saucepan, 24cm pot, 26cm frypan and steamer.
This is unbelievable value, I wish I had seen this!)
The set also does not contain the stockpot which I bought separately.
Mystanding rib roastwas always perfectly pink so it was accurate, as far as I could tell.
But then someone upgraded me to aThermapenthermometer.
Im not going to lie: Its awesome.
This is more than a meat thermometer however.
This is the one and only probe thermometer youll ever need.
Invest in a$5 meat thermometer.
Thats a lot cheaper than a wasted, overcooked standing rib roast!
What I have:NutriBullet Pro 1000(RRP ~A$159).
The important thing to know here with all blenders etc is the power rating.
This machine has 1000 watts of power, which is what youre looking for.
Personally I dont need all the extra jugs etc.
I dont use any of them, just the standard one, but you might.
#9 The BEST Food processor (and cheap!)
A food processor that works as promised!
With an RRP of A$229, its in the lower-mid price range.
Huli Huli Chickenmarinated overnight in Glasslock containers. Can’t do that with plastic – makes it smelly!
Tip:A more expensive version is also an available option.
Cheap ones will require the force of both hands at best, and you often lose half the garlic.
Good presses will last many years.
So the powder coating came off and metal was bleeding into the pressed garlic … lesson learnt.
Im very passionate and protective about my microplane nothing else Ive tried comes close to this one!
I want to believe its inflated by 5 kg or so…. but sadly these scales do not lie.
KitchenAide stand mixer makesVanilla CupcakeswithFluffy Less-Sweet Vanilla Frostinga total breeze….
Kyocera Mandoline
What I have:ThisKyocera Ceramic Mandoline, RRP A$35hereon Amazon AU.
Simple, lightweight, adjustable, sharp!
By my mother, of all people!
(Mind you, the Japanese are big fans of finely slicing things, so she would know!)
Meet the Kyocera Mandolin.
Also comes with a handguard for when you get to the end of whatever youre slicing.
I just love it.
Lightweight, easy to use and store, does what it promises, no fumbling around for attachments!
it seems to trend from those who try using it for tomatoes (umm no!)
to those who have skinned themselves (hand guard, people!).
I have the red for work, and black for personal.
Skip the green too hard to see vegetables like fennel on it!
I am VERY fond of my Glasslock containers, firstly for their strength.
Theyre virtually impossible to break, I am yet to even chip one.
Any food you store in them will last twice as long its like vacuum sealing.
Plastic just doesnt compare.
It stains, gets smelly and always goes cloudy / degrades.
What I have:This Glasslockoven safe setand thisnon oven safe set.
I use them every single day.
I like that they nest!
I cant pick this sort of thing online, I have to see it myself.
Hence no recommendation yet!
It is not fit for purpose!
The one I have that I love is a very old Breville solid and works like a dream.
Turns out they were cheap shoddy imitations.
Wow, I am even fussy about my cutting boards, it turns out!!
; and
Breville fast-slow cooker the Australian Instant Pot with slow cooker, pressure cooker and saute functions.
#13 KitchenAide Stand Mixer love to have, not necessity
This machine needs no introduction.
It is sturdy and reliable, and will last for decades if you look after it.
In fact, my friends mother is hitting 40 years with hers …!
you could work around not having one handheld beaters, hand kneading etc.
But we can all agree one does look so good on the counter!
Mine was a birthday present that the entire family pitched in for over a decade ago.
This is the classic that many people have.
and pouring shield (eg so icing sugar doesnt fly everywhere when you make fluffy frostings!).
And there you have it.
The items that were at the top of my list when I finished building my work kitchen.
I must confess, I found writing this post a little daunting.
And I bet Ive missed something super obvious.
If I have, like let me know so I can fix it quick smart!
I hope you find it helpful.
If you have questions, yo drop them below and I can update the post if need be!
