My best friend recently moved in with her boyfriend(!!) and they went through the inevitable dance of combining and getting rid of their belongings in order to make room for their new life together. I am quite grateful Nate and I were both poor grad students with few belongings when this occurred for us, because who knows what monstrosities we’d have inflicted on each other if we’d actually been working and decorating separate homes. Although, I did have to live with his bachelor pad couch for the past eight years…yuck.
I got sidetracked. Anyway!
After siphoning off their acquired belongings, my pal and her beau discovered they lacked quality kitchen supplies befitting their new status. They wanted to build their collection without spending too much. She received a $200 gift card to Sur La Table and asked for my thoughts on where in the world to start. A cookware set, a French or Dutch oven, baking dishes? I was so excited to “shop” for them I could barely handle it. It also provided a great opportunity to thoughtfully evaluate our kitchen wares, determine what we use all the time, and what is more of a supplemental item. Curious about what the five essential items are to build a kitchen arsenal with? Here is what I recommended!
1. Le Creuset cast iron skillet/fry pan
We use this nearly every night and weekend morning. It’s perfect for sautéing, frying, and a twist on baked dishes (corn bread, dutch babies, brownies…yum!). This is definitely my #1 most-used cookware. It can hold quite a bit and cleans easily.
Tip for longevity: Do not scrub a cast iron fry pan with soap and a bristly brush. Rinse with water and wipe clean with paper towels for a glorious greasy buildup that will ensure even cooking and little grease actually needed once it’s been “broken in”. Also, Nate would like to remind everyone to remove any and all stickers off of the pan prior to using, otherwise you may be in for a *small* fire and an imprint of the price tag forever scorched on bottom of the pan. Oops!
2. Chef’s knife
One good knife is all you need to get started. We received this for our wedding and use it every day. We have since bought an actual knife set, yet this continues to be my go-to knife! (Nate actually asks me if I forgot we own other knives…) Look for full-tang construction and don’t be afraid to try one on for size.
Tip for longevity: Get this knife sharpener along with your new knife. It’s inexpensive and works really well! Nate loves to sharpen knives at everyone’s house we go to but I am uncertain if he can make it all of yours. Plus, few things are more irritating than a dull knife. Womp womp womp.
My next most-used cookware is this All-Clad saucepan (in the 4 quart size). It’s incredibly versatile for small batches of soup, boiling water for pasta/potatoes, making sauces (obviously), steaming vegetables, poaching eggs, etc. I use it as the base for my double-boiler when I am melting chocolate which, as it turns out, I do quite frequently. In fact, I may have a double-boiler problem.
Tip for longevity: Although this is technically dishwasher safe, we hand wash ours most of the time. Every few uses I like to scrub her down with Bar Keepers Friend to bring back the stainless-steel sparkle.
4. French oven
A French oven is a great purchase and is definitely worth the money to invest in a good quality option. However, since it is such an investment it’s important to think about how much it will be used and when the best time to splurge is. I use this much more now than I used to, as in: I have more time to cook now that I am not working full-time outside of the home and commuting a million hours a week. It’s been super useful for cooking large, hearty meals with tons of leftovers or when entertaining. I also love to use it when I need to sauté and bake in the same recipe (one less dish to clean up and since I hate cleaning the French oven usually wins). I don’t utilize it as much in the summer as I do in the winter and because cold, frigid weather is rampant here in Alaska this dish is used frequently during the winter months. So, basically: a super useful and vital piece to any kitchen yet expensive and may not be essential right away for everyone. I prefer the oval shape and use the 6 quart size.
5. Stone covered baker
I have this one, yet I would actually recommend this one just for the lid. Perhaps it’s time for an upgrade in our kitchen! Bakers are really useful because you can make baked goods galore yet I also use mine frequently for vegetables, baking chicken, casseroles, enchiladas, etc. I opt for stone vs the clear glass variety because they’re oh-so-pretty, thus perfect for taking somewhere or going straight to the table.
Tip for longevity: Avoid the dishwasher and for the love of all that is holy in the kitchen, do not use sharp knives directly on the stoneware! Oh the scratches that it will leave. It breaks my heart. Stay pretty forever, Baker.
A penny for more of my thoughts:
*Cookware is crazy expensive. We have gone the route of buying one or two things at a time and slowly building our collection. I think this process has absolutely been the best way to go because we’ve gotten really high quality products that are versatile for many dishes. We’ve been able to contemplate our evolving needs this way, too, rather than having cupboards crammed with rarely used pots and pans. I’ve seen other people who get one large set (that is of lesser quality) and they end up replacing the dang thing way too often.
*If you do purchase a few enameled Le Creuset or Staub items, choose the colors wisely. You will likely have them for the rest of your life and will want them to withstand trends. I slightly regret my bright yellow oven and bright green stockpot (which, ps, is another super useful piece)!
So what did she choose? My budding home chef purchased the chef’s knife and the Le Creuset cast iron fry pan. Success! I’m so curious, what do you consider your essential pieces of cookware that you couldn’t cook without??
woot woot! I’ve been waiting for this post. I never would have thought a new knife could bring me such joy. Your wisdom and kitchen know how have added excitement to our kitchen, thank you!!
Thanks sweet friend! I’m so glad you like the knife. I hope the fry pan brings lots of joy too!:)