The essential utensils in the kitchen

This is a list of essential utensils for cooking healthy food at home. Although I would be tempted to add many more, I assure you that, if you have these 10 items, you will need nothing to become a master chef.

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

Cooking at home it's a huge step to start eating healthier. This way you have full control of the ingredients and you can choose how to prepare your dishes. You may be discouraged by advertisements that strategically try to persuade you to buy the latest "absolutely indispensable" technological gem if satisfactory results are to be obtained. Well, I have never had weight problems and no one has ever pointed out deficiencies in my recipes: yet I have never listened to advertising ...

This is a list of essential tools to cook healthy food at home. Although I would be tempted to add many more, I assure you that, if you have these 10 items, you will need nothing to become a master chef.

Index

Wooden cutting board

A kitchen is nothing without its cutting board. It is essential that it is wide to chop vegetables well and cut fish and meat. The wood it is undoubtedly the best material, as it carries less bacteria than plastic and spoils the blade of knives much more slowly than other materials such as glass, although some of us prefer plastic or glass, which are more resistant to the action of the dishwasher. Maple wood is certainly among the best, but it can be expensive. Bamboo wood, on the other hand, is readily available and quite inexpensive.

Cast iron pan

Cast iron, I'm lovin'it. For what reason? The cast iron tools are much more dynamic than those made with any other material. They can be used for cooking or frying, on the stove or directly in the oven. When properly consumed, a cast iron pan has the same characteristics as modern non-stick pans, without containing questionable chemical components (which would appear to be among the possible causes of cancer). It is a heavy material that can literally survive a lifetime of use, so much so that this type of pan is often still handed down from generation to generation. The prices are really affordable (IKEA's “Senior” pan, for example, costs 30 euros and works perfectly on all hobs).

Metal bowl

At least one large bowl for mixing ingredients is required for healthy home cooking, although small to medium sized bowls often prove to be very useful as well. Use the bowls for beat the egg whites until stiff, to lay the pastry dough on it, to mash the potatoes, to make the sourdough rise and in many other situations. L'stainless steel proves to be the best choice as it is lightweight, indestructible and easy to clean. To tell the truth, glass also works well. It is easy for plastic to absorb odors (especially unpleasant ones) and deteriorate in a short time.

Wooden spoon

And now it's his turn, the humble servant of the kitchen. It has not particularly evolved since man learned to cook and felt the need to mix what he prepared. Well, even today he fully satisfies that need.

Kitchen knife

As you can tell from the name itself, it really is essential! A good kitchen knife cuts and shreds any product you decide to buy, making the practice even fun! And don't think you have to rob a bank to be able to afford it: the prices of the Coltelleria Collini models, for example, range from 10 36 to EUR. Since each brand of knives has its own peculiarities, you'd better hold some models in your hand for a few moments before deciding which one to buy, in order to notice the differences. Also consider factors such as the weight and length of the blade.

Colander

A metal colander can perform the most diverse functions. You can use it for rinsing vegetables, for steaming or literally for draining pasta. I even used one to transfer plants to my garden!

Casserole

A saucepan with a heavy lid is a staple in the kitchen, whether you are cooking healthily or otherwise. For example, it facilitates the preparation of risottos, stews or game, if you like it.

Glass jars

I glass jars are key to store all types of food. They can be used to ferment chillies, to make excellent jams, as well as to store peas, fettuccine or spices. They are very inexpensive, generally less than two euros per one kg can, and are extremely easy to clean. I suggest the "wide mouth" model because they simplify each operation as much as possible.