Set Up Your Kitchen with the Best Basics
2020 Feb 20th
Setting up your kitchen with the best basics starts with you. A cuisine is a detailed way of creating food from customs and procedures developed over the years. Searching online, there are numerous examples of “40 World Cuisines” & “20 Best Countries in the World for Food.” The differences between cookware is just as vast.
Whether you love the food you grew up with or have adopted new and exciting cuisines to master cooking, setting up your kitchen with the correct pots, pans, utensils, and tools of the trade is paramount! Forming a great kitchen isn’t hard. Many products are “multi-taskers” that perform more than one duty to assist you in the kitchen. Learning which devices can be used for what techniques is exciting, rewarding, and saves your pocketbook. Plus, having the best kitchen basics looks great to your guests and saves time and frustration for yourself!
When making soups or stews, use a cooking pot. They range in size, shape, and material. Everything depends on how much food you are making, and the preparation of the meal. Most pots are multi-taskers in that you will need to boil water. A pot will boil large quantities of H2O for pasta, as well as for a cup of tea. The three main pots we love using are:
Cast Iron cookware is awesome because it can withstand any heat source. With a lid, these cast iron stew pots hold in heat for hours. Slow simmering or roasting any soups, stews, or chicken you wish to cook is made easy in the Finex 5Qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven .
Either indoors or outdoors is why we love using the Lodge Black Lock 5.5Qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Lodge has proprietary technology that allows this cast iron to be uncommonly light for its durability. Place this cast-iron Dutch oven on the coals, or in the oven!
A stockpot is meant for larger jobs. The versatility is great due to its flat bottom and high sides. One can cook the longest of pastas, brown veggies for soups and stews, and cook on low on the back burner to wait for a delicious soup on a cold evening. We can’t make it through the winter without our All Clad C4 Copper 8Qt Stock Pot with Lid.
The superior non-stick coating and smaller size makes the Gastrolux 17 Cup Stock Pot a must-have in setting up your new kitchen. This smaller stockpot is great for a family of four. Plus, the added health benefits of cooking sans oil with Gastrolux’s BIOTAN layer of non-stick perfection marks this stockpot worth its weight in gold!
A Rondeau also goes by the name Braiser. It’s a shorter-walled stockpot designed for sauces and braising. The shorter sides allow liquid to be used but evaporate quickly to create reductions and sauces. These pans go from the stove to the oven.
The Mauviel 1830 3.3Qt Copper Rondeau with Lid is the cream of the crop! The copper, aluminum, and stainless-steel combined technology makes this Rondeau one of the best pots for braising short ribs. Oven usage is allowed up to 450℉.
The Staub 2.5Qt Cherry Chistera Drop Braiser is the perfect size for anything a Dutch oven would do, yet on a smaller volume. This state-of-the-art cookware has spikes inside the lid to allow condensation multiple paths to travel. This Braiser is great for browning, braising, and finishing with a delightful sauce.
Setting up your kitchen with the best basics includes more than one pan. Most meals start with using a pan. Whether to sauté veggies, make a fried egg, cook a steak, or anything your imagine desires, a pan will be needed daily. There are three types of cooking pans we have in our kitchens.
A museum in Greece has a copper frying pan from 10th-3rd century BC! The different materials used in producing the pan along with the culinary method of the food you wish to prepare all attribute to which pan to choose. From BC to 2020, frying pans have always been used for higher heat cooking methods.
The conductivity of copper has been known as the best metal for heat retention. This creates great stews, as well as a perfect egg! The Mauviel 1830 M’Heritage Round Copper Frying Pan utilizes copper with stainless-steel for excellent heat retention and durability for daily use.
Non-stick frying pans have been around for years now. The safety of non-stick surfaces has been proven. This type of frying pan is what you need in your kitchen! The Vollrath 10” Aluminum Non-Stick Fry Pan has CeramiGuard II technology which allows a perfect sear on your steak! There’s zero effort cleaning up with this non-stick frying pan.
Here in Canada and the US, cast iron has been in use for cooking since the 1700s. The durability is the best. You can’t hurt cast iron. It can always be repaired. The cast iron frying pan can go on coals, on the stove, or in the oven. With proper seasoning, cast iron becomes one of the best natural non-stick cookware to use in your kitchen.
Lodge is one of the best, well known brands of cast iron frying pans. The Lodge 12” Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is ready for cornbread and deep frying catfish. With the advantage of being pre-seasoned, this frying pan is ready for searing a baseball cut filet mignon, then going into the oven to finish to a perfect 122℉!
A wok is an essential kitchen basic item. People here in the West sometimes don’t realize what a wok can do for their culinary prowess. A wok can: Poach, boil, deep fry, steam, roast nuts, braise, sear, stir fry, and stew are just some of the wok’s functions.
Now that you understand why a wok is so versatile, purchasing a Gastrolux 14” Flat Bottom Induction Wok would benefit you greatly! The BIOTAN technology needs no oil for cooking! The health benefits alone are extraordinary. Designed with beauty, usefulness, and ergonomics in mind, the Gastrolux brand is exemplary in every aspect.
Like all the pots and pans, saucepans come in different sizes and materials. Typically, a saucepan is tall and narrow. This allows water, or any liquids, to be safely contained in a small space. Stews, stocks, and sauces are great uses for a saucepan. The usual size for a saucepan is 2-3 quarts.
We love the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Sensation 3Qt Saucepot with lid. This saucepan is the perfect size for performing many tasks. You can blanch veggies, boil macaroni, or reduce a sauce in this saucepan.
If you cook with dairy, a Scanpan 6.25” 1Qt Classic Saucepot is for you! This non- stick coating wipes away milk or cheese in a breeze. Plus, it is dishwasher safe!
The best saucepan for a large family is the Winco 7.5Qt Saucepan with Lid. Create a marinara to feed a huge crowd. Or make a beef stew for the big game in this huge saucepan!
High pressure forces liquid into foods quickly. This allows for quicker cooking and moister food. Tougher meats are turned tender with a pressure cooker. With modern advancements, pressure cookers act as slow cookers as well.
One of our favorite go-to pressure cookers is the T-Fal Electric Pressure Cooker/ Multi-Cooker. With 6-quart capacity, and 25 different cooking programs, this pressure cooker is more than a basic appliance for your kitchen. It will set you up for culinary success!
If speed is your method of cooking, then the Fissler Vitaquick 10L Pressure Cooker will set up your kitchen beautifully! The huge 10.6Qt capacity is large enough to feed over 5 people as quickly as possible! German made, the Fissler is quality through and through.
People think cutlery are knives. True, but cutlery includes forks and spoons. To set up your kitchen with the best basics we suggest the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Brushed Bellasera 45 Piece Flatware Set. This set includes:
Who doesn’t love casseroles? A must-have at any holiday is some sort of potato, green bean, or a mac n cheese styled casserole dish. And desserts are created in baking dishes. Being oven safe, baking dishes are great for reheating!
Staub has a wonderful variety of baking dishes. The Staub 6.5” x 4.5” Ceramic Oval Baking Dish is great for a two-person macaroni and cheese. Jazzing up a Kraft Dinner has never been better!
Peugeot has some of the best ceramic baking dishes for pies. Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without a pumpkin pie baked in a Peugeot Appolia Slate 11” Ceramic Pie Dish. The attention to detail and heat dispersion makes Peugeot a best basic baking dish for your kitchen.
You will need to flip, dip, grip, and sprinkle your food. A spatula is a basic utensil that your kitchen needs now. Le Creuset has you and your kitchen covered with this delightful 6 Piece Sage Revolution Silicone Utensil Set. This set includes:
Types of Cooking Pots
When making soups or stews, use a cooking pot. They range in size, shape, and material. Everything depends on how much food you are making, and the preparation of the meal. Most pots are multi-taskers in that you will need to boil water. A pot will boil large quantities of H2O for pasta, as well as for a cup of tea. The three main pots we love using are:
Cast Iron cookware is awesome because it can withstand any heat source. With a lid, these cast iron stew pots hold in heat for hours. Slow simmering or roasting any soups, stews, or chicken you wish to cook is made easy in the Finex 5Qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven .
Either indoors or outdoors is why we love using the Lodge Black Lock 5.5Qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Lodge has proprietary technology that allows this cast iron to be uncommonly light for its durability. Place this cast-iron Dutch oven on the coals, or in the oven!
A stockpot is meant for larger jobs. The versatility is great due to its flat bottom and high sides. One can cook the longest of pastas, brown veggies for soups and stews, and cook on low on the back burner to wait for a delicious soup on a cold evening. We can’t make it through the winter without our All Clad C4 Copper 8Qt Stock Pot with Lid.
The superior non-stick coating and smaller size makes the Gastrolux 17 Cup Stock Pot a must-have in setting up your new kitchen. This smaller stockpot is great for a family of four. Plus, the added health benefits of cooking sans oil with Gastrolux’s BIOTAN layer of non-stick perfection marks this stockpot worth its weight in gold!
A Rondeau also goes by the name Braiser. It’s a shorter-walled stockpot designed for sauces and braising. The shorter sides allow liquid to be used but evaporate quickly to create reductions and sauces. These pans go from the stove to the oven.
The Mauviel 1830 3.3Qt Copper Rondeau with Lid is the cream of the crop! The copper, aluminum, and stainless-steel combined technology makes this Rondeau one of the best pots for braising short ribs. Oven usage is allowed up to 450℉.
The Staub 2.5Qt Cherry Chistera Drop Braiser is the perfect size for anything a Dutch oven would do, yet on a smaller volume. This state-of-the-art cookware has spikes inside the lid to allow condensation multiple paths to travel. This Braiser is great for browning, braising, and finishing with a delightful sauce.
Types of Cooking Pans
Setting up your kitchen with the best basics includes more than one pan. Most meals start with using a pan. Whether to sauté veggies, make a fried egg, cook a steak, or anything your imagine desires, a pan will be needed daily. There are three types of cooking pans we have in our kitchens.
A museum in Greece has a copper frying pan from 10th-3rd century BC! The different materials used in producing the pan along with the culinary method of the food you wish to prepare all attribute to which pan to choose. From BC to 2020, frying pans have always been used for higher heat cooking methods.
The conductivity of copper has been known as the best metal for heat retention. This creates great stews, as well as a perfect egg! The Mauviel 1830 M’Heritage Round Copper Frying Pan utilizes copper with stainless-steel for excellent heat retention and durability for daily use.
Non-stick frying pans have been around for years now. The safety of non-stick surfaces has been proven. This type of frying pan is what you need in your kitchen! The Vollrath 10” Aluminum Non-Stick Fry Pan has CeramiGuard II technology which allows a perfect sear on your steak! There’s zero effort cleaning up with this non-stick frying pan.
Here in Canada and the US, cast iron has been in use for cooking since the 1700s. The durability is the best. You can’t hurt cast iron. It can always be repaired. The cast iron frying pan can go on coals, on the stove, or in the oven. With proper seasoning, cast iron becomes one of the best natural non-stick cookware to use in your kitchen.
Lodge is one of the best, well known brands of cast iron frying pans. The Lodge 12” Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is ready for cornbread and deep frying catfish. With the advantage of being pre-seasoned, this frying pan is ready for searing a baseball cut filet mignon, then going into the oven to finish to a perfect 122℉!
A wok is an essential kitchen basic item. People here in the West sometimes don’t realize what a wok can do for their culinary prowess. A wok can: Poach, boil, deep fry, steam, roast nuts, braise, sear, stir fry, and stew are just some of the wok’s functions.
Now that you understand why a wok is so versatile, purchasing a Gastrolux 14” Flat Bottom Induction Wok would benefit you greatly! The BIOTAN technology needs no oil for cooking! The health benefits alone are extraordinary. Designed with beauty, usefulness, and ergonomics in mind, the Gastrolux brand is exemplary in every aspect.
What Size Saucepan Do I Need?
Like all the pots and pans, saucepans come in different sizes and materials. Typically, a saucepan is tall and narrow. This allows water, or any liquids, to be safely contained in a small space. Stews, stocks, and sauces are great uses for a saucepan. The usual size for a saucepan is 2-3 quarts.
We love the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Sensation 3Qt Saucepot with lid. This saucepan is the perfect size for performing many tasks. You can blanch veggies, boil macaroni, or reduce a sauce in this saucepan.
If you cook with dairy, a Scanpan 6.25” 1Qt Classic Saucepot is for you! This non- stick coating wipes away milk or cheese in a breeze. Plus, it is dishwasher safe!
The best saucepan for a large family is the Winco 7.5Qt Saucepan with Lid. Create a marinara to feed a huge crowd. Or make a beef stew for the big game in this huge saucepan!
Pressure Cooker
High pressure forces liquid into foods quickly. This allows for quicker cooking and moister food. Tougher meats are turned tender with a pressure cooker. With modern advancements, pressure cookers act as slow cookers as well.
One of our favorite go-to pressure cookers is the T-Fal Electric Pressure Cooker/ Multi-Cooker. With 6-quart capacity, and 25 different cooking programs, this pressure cooker is more than a basic appliance for your kitchen. It will set you up for culinary success!
If speed is your method of cooking, then the Fissler Vitaquick 10L Pressure Cooker will set up your kitchen beautifully! The huge 10.6Qt capacity is large enough to feed over 5 people as quickly as possible! German made, the Fissler is quality through and through.
Cutlery
People think cutlery are knives. True, but cutlery includes forks and spoons. To set up your kitchen with the best basics we suggest the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Brushed Bellasera 45 Piece Flatware Set. This set includes:
- 8 dinner forks
- 1 serving fork
- 8 salad forks
- 1 butter knife
- 8 dinner knives
- 8 soup spoons
- 1 sugar spoon
- 8 teaspoons
- 1 serving spoon
- 1 slotted serving spoon
Baking Dishes
Who doesn’t love casseroles? A must-have at any holiday is some sort of potato, green bean, or a mac n cheese styled casserole dish. And desserts are created in baking dishes. Being oven safe, baking dishes are great for reheating!
Staub has a wonderful variety of baking dishes. The Staub 6.5” x 4.5” Ceramic Oval Baking Dish is great for a two-person macaroni and cheese. Jazzing up a Kraft Dinner has never been better!
Peugeot has some of the best ceramic baking dishes for pies. Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without a pumpkin pie baked in a Peugeot Appolia Slate 11” Ceramic Pie Dish. The attention to detail and heat dispersion makes Peugeot a best basic baking dish for your kitchen.
Spatulas and Other Utensils
You will need to flip, dip, grip, and sprinkle your food. A spatula is a basic utensil that your kitchen needs now. Le Creuset has you and your kitchen covered with this delightful 6 Piece Sage Revolution Silicone Utensil Set. This set includes:
- Spatula Spoon
- Jar Scraper
- Basting Brush
- Small Spatula
- Medium Spatula
