As an aspiring chef, you’re most likely running around trying to collect all of the kitchen essentials that a good chef would need. If you’re truly getting into the art of cooking, then you’ll quickly learn that an average kitchen doesn’t have all of the basic equipment that a chef would need.
To make all of those delicious meals in your recipe book, you’re going to need a few tools that’ll make your job much easier. If you’re not sure where to begin, then start right here. Below are 5 popular kitchen essentials that any aspiring chef should have.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Kitchen Scale
A kitchen scale is essential for any chef because it ensures that each recipe contains that exact same amount of ingredients. You might be thinking that a scale is unnecessary when you having measuring cups and scoops, but it’s much different. When you measure ingredients with a scoop or cup, you’re never getting the exact same amount each time.
This can cause a recipe to taste different each time. A scale gives you exact measurements by using weight, and your meals will taste the exact same each time.
2. Chef’s Knife
A chef’s knife is not the same as a good steak knife found in an ordinary kitchen drawer. A chef’s knife should be between 8-10 inches. This is much bigger than regular kitchen knives, and it’ll be heavier as well.
You should get used to using a knife of this weight and size. After some time, you’ll master the idea of letting the knife do the work for you.
3. Dutch Oven
A dutch oven is another wonderful thing for a chef to have in his or her kitchen. You might already have one of these in yours if your love for cooking has been a long-time thing. These ovens come in handy when braising chicken legs, making soup, and so much more.
You can use a dutch oven to cook just about anything, and they give you much more room than a normal pot would.
4. Wooden Spoon
A wooden spoon might seem like an odd thing to name on this list, but do you have one in your kitchen? Many people tend to lean towards plastic spoons or metal ones. What you need, however, is a good wooden spoon.
Wooden spoons won’t melt when placed in or around high temperatures, and they won’t scrape the bottom of your pots and pans up either. Depending on what you’re cooking, a wooden spoon can also come in handy creating the right texture in meals.
5. Instant-Read Thermometer
In the food industry, you’ll need to stay on top of certain safety practices. The last thing you want to do is serve yourself or someone else something that’s not cooked properly or safely. Follow FSMA food planning guides and then be sure to purchase an instant-read thermometer.
This thermometer will instantly tell you if something is cooked thoroughly or not, which every good chef needs.
Which Kitchen Essentials Do You Need?
Do you already own a few of these kitchen essentials listed above? If so, great! If not, then be sure to head out for a much-need chef’s shopping trip!
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