so why do I write this blog? A combination of records for myself, a place to jot down recipes that I have tried and also hope to share these recipes with friends who would like to cook more... but I am aware what worked for me might not work for everyone (thought I'm tempted to think so!)...
So I guess maybe let me just chart down the things I have done when starting out?
Getting the equipment sorted out...after reading about how harmful non stick cookware is, I wanted it out of the kitchen and my husband got a whole set of lodge cast iron cookware in varying sizes including a dutch oven...I must say that while I'm touched that he got them..I'm not particularly delighted with them for the following reasons...
1. The strong iron smell
2. The need to season the pans after every use
3. They are not pretty
4. Tomatoes are a no-no in cast iron
5. They are heavy
My awesome husband did get me a enameled cast iron dutch oven for Christmas...and that is cleaner, prettier and yes, does not require any seasoning after use but has a tendency to burn....but I'm not sure if I am doing something wrong...perhaps the temperatures I'm using is too high....and in conclusion, enameled cast iron cookware would be my top choice....but I do miss my telfon pans...they were so easy to use...!
Knives...we are currently using a couple of knives that my husband's chef friend got him...again, I'm not particularly enamoured and I think knives are very personal...you have to be comfortable with the weight of the blade and the balance and a high price tag does not signify a better utensil..I think I would get my mom to send me a chef's knife...maybe I just miss the one she has and am most comfortable using that....she uses one big chopper for almost everything....
we also got a lovely set of flatware from the in-laws for christmas...why is that essential? It's just something that I like and I believe that it's worth the investment for something which will last a good 25 years or so...
as for crockery...it's corelle hands down, lightweight and almost unbreakable...love the stuff!
and finally, stocking up the pantry...one of the first things I did was to collect a map from the supermarket so that I knew what they carried and where to get them...and also to build up all my 'Asian essentials'...like soy sauce, oyster sauce, corn starch, fish sauce and various herbs and spices...
if you are looking to build up your essentials, I would say that it's things that you know you'd use on a regular basis...if you are not sure, just get a small sized version first....
and oh, this is the rest of the equipment we have in the kitchen:
1. Fridge and freezer (would appreciate a larger freezer for the next one..)
2. Conventional oven with grill
3. Electric stove with 2 working burners (going to replace it soon with gas..)
4. dish washer (which we hardly use)
5. Microwave (again, a gift from the very thoughtful in-laws)
6. toaster
7. Coffee grinder
8. Coffee maker
9. Blender
10. Food processor
11. Sous Vide cooker!! (very excited about this new toy but haven't really cooked much with it..)
12. Slow cooker
13. Blow Torch
14. Oven toaster
15. Dehydrator
16. Bread machine
17.
Aeropress..technically not a machine but something that we use everyday..I like it much more than the French press cos it's not sour...
18. Wok (we got this
one from Amazon...again, having to season after every use is a pain...oh, can someone come up with a safe non-stick alternative soon...?)
It does seem like quite a lot huh...
oh..and tools that I love?
1.
Microplane (makes such pretty shavings with hard cheeses and chocolate! And it's so easy to use!! So MUCH better than box graters!!)
the other 'essential' tools are whisks (did you know that the best way to dry them to prevent rust is whisk side down?), metal mixing bowls, nesting glass mixing bowls, spatulas (a large and a medium..a small one would be good too..), tongs (big, medium and small)...
If you're just starting out, just start slowly, get the stuff over time and don't be in a hurry to get everything all at once...and get to know the equipment cos there's no point in having alot of stuff and not knowing how to use them... :D
My two cents for now...
next post, I'll write about how I plan meals and how I cook...
