Setting up a basic kitchen
COOKING at home is fun, gives you a creative outlet and enable you to have a healthier diet. If you budget and shop well, you can also save a lot of money. So, what do you need for a simple set-up? Here are some ideas.
Good non-stick frying pan and pot
Cheap materials mean uneven cooking, hours of scraping surfaces clean and having to use lots of fat. Invest in a quality non-stick label, look after it properly and it will last you a decade.
Tip: always buy equipment with lids. A lid at the right time will improve efficiency, trap moisture or keep things warm.
Rice cooker
If you love eating rice, this worthwhile investment will have you eating perfectly cooked rice every day with no effort.
Sophisticated versions will let you make porridge, soups, stews and even steamed vegetables.
Again, quality equipment comes with a decent warranty and guarantee.
Wooden or non-stick spoons and slices
You can buy these items cheaply in bundles. You need a slice so that you can flip things over, a spoon to stir and a ladle for stews, soups, and sauces. Buy equipment that fits comfortably in your pots and pans. For slices, bigger is better for flipping.
Tongs
They are not always a feature in kitchen kits, but tongs are extensions for your fingers. Once you use them to pick up some fried vegetables from a pan and then a piece of cold carrot from a plate without burning yourself or getting icky fingers, you will realise their value.
Boards and cutting mats
You can use a plate to prepare food, but a cutting board or mat is usually easier and more efficient.
Wooden ones are durable and can double as pot stands but coloured flexible mats are easier to store.