If your kitchen is basic and needs a little jazzing up, there are many useful items that will make it more comfortable yet classy at the same time. There are a multitude of gadgets to buy, so be as practical as possible when stocking your kitchen. If you can find a product that can do two functions instead of one, that will save you money. For example, I bought a convection oven with a built-in breadmaker. This way, I can save precious counter space. Here are some items that will make life a lot easier in the kitchen.
Stand Mixer
Stand mixers are useful for anyone who loves to bake, since they can mix batter, knead dough and beat or whip. Good ones are on the heavy side, so they don't move around when being used. A good brand to buy is a KitchenAid mixer. They come in a variety of colors to match your kitchen, and are very powerful. Choose a model based on your needs. If you need it for whipping up meals all the time, get a stronger motor. If it is for light or moderate use, get the basic model. There are different sizes and strengths available. Shop around online for the best possible deal. They are worth the money, and are very well-made. You can even buy attachments for making ice cream, pasta, grinding and more. It is truly a wonderful machine to own and use.
Food Processor
Food processors are used for chopping, dicing and slicing, among many other food preparation needs. Find a model of processor that is easy to use, is powerful and has a big enough bowl to hold a substantial volume of ingredients. If counter space is limited, try getting a mini-processor for less taxing jobs, if you don't mind grinding ingredients in smaller batches. A tried and true brand is Cuisinart. They sell a variety of accessories separately, for different food preparation jobs, or replacement parts. My mother's Cuisinart has lasted her over twenty years. That's a pretty good record for any kitchen appliance, nowadays.
A Quality Set of Knives
If you want to have an easier time of cutting and chopping by hand, get a well-made set of knives. These sets come in a variety of sizes. For casual kitchen use, get a set that is meant for whatever you do the most in the kitchen. Are you a bread baker? Make sure to have a proper bread knife. Do you cut a lot of fruit and vegetables? Then a Santoku-style knife will be something that will make your job much easier. Boning and paring knives are also helpful. Choose knives that feel good in your hand, and that are expertly constructed. Good knives can be expensive, but they are worth the extra money.
Well-Made Cookware
There are many popular cookware sets available, made from a variety of materials, like iron, Teflon-coated or others. Having a saucepan, saute pan, omelet pan, frying skillet and soup pot are good pieces to start with. Later, your collection can increase if your needs change. Recently, I bought a 20-piece set of stainless steel cookware that is a dream to use. They need to be pre-heated before adding oil, to work best. You see stainless sets in most restaurants because professionals know how well they perform. Look for the kind that are "clad" (layers fused together.) Food comes out evenly cooked and are simple to clean. Other styles of cookware are available, as well. Whatever fits your needs and budget is the best choice.
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