my must haves
I'm not a gadget girl but one thing I've noticed cooking in a different kitchen every day is that my style of cooking kind of depends on these few things. Or maybe it's my skill level. Either or, I need them. They're listed in order of importance, and hopefully helpful.
A Good Knife, of course - I have about 9 fancy German knives on my knife strip. I use one. I don't do a lot of deboning because I cook on the bone whenever possible. And I'm NOT tourning (fancy cut) vegetables, unless I'm being punished in which case the punisher can supply the tools.
If I do find myself cooking in a situation where I don't have my knife, I suddenly hate cooking and I realize that this is how people who don't have a good knife feel. A good knife will change your life.
Tongs: Tongs are an extension of your hand that's heat proof. You really need to grab things without piercing them. Literally, like everything you're touching that is food. And you need a pair that you're comfortable opening and closing... like an extension of your hand...that's heat proof.
Sheet Tray: I never used to travel with a sheet tray, until I arrived at a clients house and began full panic mode when they didn't have one. I actually leave 2 in my car. 75% of my food is roasted. There's no substitute. Things need to be spread out on a tray uninhibited by tall pan edges.
My Big Bowl!!!! : My big bowl is equally as important as a sheet tray but if I had to choose...um...no way, I can't. My big bowl is where the magic happens. It's where everything gets seasoned and flavored. It's the perfect way to reach every piece of whatever you're seasoning or dressing or mashing or whisking...etc. Ain't nobody got time to fiddle with a small little bowl. FYI: My big bowl is married to my tongs.
A Sturdy Whisk: a sturdy whisk will make guacamole, mashed potatoes, mashed bananas, whip egg whites (obvi), polenta, dressings and the like. Without it? ...I don't even know.
Microplane: This is the thing that zests fruit and nutmeg. That's all I use it for. You can zest fruit on a grater in a pinch but it will mostly just clog your grater and not much ends up on the food. If you want to end up chucking your microplane across the room get a cheap one that's dull.
Rubber Spatula: This is really not a necessity but my OCD activates when I can't clean a bowl or processor when combining or emptying ingredients.
Lemon Squeeze: This is really really not a necessity, I just hate lemon seeds and I use lemon in almost everything. I go to bed mad at lemon seeds.
My Butcher and Baker Aprons! Because they're awesome! And if you look good, you'll cook better. It's a fact. https://butcherandbaker.com/
HAPPY COOKING !!!