In 2020 Grubhub reported 20% more daily orders in April than in the same month the previous year. It seems an increasing amount of Americans don’t have the time, inclination, or knowledge to cook from scratch. Are you trying to spend more time in the kitchen, but unsure of where to start?
We’ve found that when in doubt, it’s always best to begin with the basics. There are certain things that you’ll always want to have on hand in the kitchen, and today we’re going to be talking about what these are. Read on for some kitchen essentials you’ll never want to be without!
A Good Set of Knives
First thing’s first, if you want to make almost any recipe you can think of, there’s going to be a certain amount of cutting, chopping, or dicing involved. This of course requires a knife. You might not think the quality of the knife you use matters, but it really does.
Bad knives will make chopping much less efficient and can also lead to accidents and injuries. When you do acquire your set, make sure you treat it with care and sharpen it regularly.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the biggest kitchen staples there is. You’ll find it in countless recipes, and you’ll use it for cooking. There are even some kitchen tricks that can be used to make your cooking experience a little easier.
One tip is to have two olive oils in your kitchen. If you’re using it in a recipe like a salad or dip bread in, you’ll want the more expensive one. However, if you’re only using it for frying or baking, you can go for the less fancy version.
A Skillet
When it comes to kitchen accessories, a non-stick skillet is an absolute must. It’s a necessary and versatile tool because there are so many things that can be cooked in a skillet.
Make sure to always opt for good quality nonstick version. This is one item that’s worth spending a bit of money on.
Salt and Pepper
Whether sweet or savoury, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll find that almost every single recipe you’ll ever make will call for at least a pinch of salt. That’s why (along with its pal pepper) it’s such an essential item to have on hand. A good quality sea salt or Himalayan salt is a great choice here.
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Most recipes you’ll find will measure ingredients in cups and spoons. It’s always easiest to have the exact measurements available to you rather than eyeballing anything. This is especially true when you’re baking something.
Bonus Option: A Helping Hand
If you’re not a fan of cooking—or you simply don’t have enough hours in the day—then the best kitchen accessory will always be a helping hand. This could be a family member or even a home cooking service if you’re so inclined. That way, you’ll be able to avail yourself of all of these great benefits.
Kitchen Essentials for the Smart Homeowner
We hope this list of kitchen essentials will inspire you to get more use out of your cooking space—one way or another. There’s nothing better than sitting down to a fresh home-cooked meal each day.
On that note, if you’re looking for more tips, you should check out the rest of our articles now!