Equipping a Kitchen - The Essentials

Many of you have been around or even have well equipped kitchens. But have you ever given a thought to which kitchen gadgets and tools are absolutely essential? You know, those items that you just have to have in order to function at any level? A decent though minimal selection can be a good foundation to build upon.

When I first moved out of my parent's home, I had what was known as a 'single' apartment. The kitchen was tiny and had the smallest of refrigerators and the smallest of stoves complete with a small oven. I had only the bare essential kitchen tools, but I still remember pretty much what I started with:

• A good sized cast-iron skillet, probably about 10 inches in diameter.
• A 2-quart pan with a lid.
• A pie plate, a cookie sheet and 2 cake pans.
• A hand-operated can opener.
• A hand-operated rotating beater.
• A small flour sifter.
• Cutlery consisted of a paring knife and one larger knife.
• Tools were a small set of steel utensils: a large spoon, a large slotted spoon and a spatula.
• Plates, bowls, glasses and flatware for 2-4 (yes, it varied).

Granted, it wasn't much but it was enough to make most things that I wanted to make. In fact, as I look at that list, it wasn't too bad for a start. I still have that cast-iron skillet, very well seasoned after all the years of use. If I were to really take a look around I'm sure I'll discover that I still have quite a few of the other utensils, still in usable condition.

What about storage containers? Well, leftovers didn't happen often and they mostly were covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap on a plate or in a bowl. My first storage containers were emptied margarine or butter bowls with lids. A fairly common thing in those days, and some were actually quite well made. Not the thin plastic that is used now, but thick durable plastic bowls. Guess what? I still have at least a dozen of them left though their lids have long since disappeared. They're still in use!