Restaurants aren’t successful because they have tons of gadgets. They succeed with the right tools that the Chefs reach for regularly. If you’ve ever wondered how the Chefs in a restaurant in St. George made their meal look effortless, the right tools within arm’s reach can help answer that question. The secret to an efficient kitchen isn’t about cost; it’s about having a good sense of which tools earn a spot on your counter.
Essential Tools for Prep Work
Your cutting tools shouldn’t be taken lightly. A quality chef’s knife is the foundation of your arsenal. A good chef’s knife can be used to quickly break down a chicken or dice onions for a soup. While your chef’s knife can handle most tasks, sometimes a smaller paring knife is better suited to the job. Pair your knives with a cutting board, and you are ready to go. Wooden or plastic boards are a good choice as they are durable and low-maintenance.
Cooking and Heat Management
A quality nonstick pan or skillet with a good, heavy bottom prevents scorching and recipe ruin. Even a restaurant in St. George needs to invest in high-quality, commercial-grade non-stick pans for its kitchen. Use a wooden spoon and a Silicone spatula for cooking, and take the guesswork out of food safety with an instant-read thermometer.
Mixing and Measuring Tools
When you are particular about following a recipe, especially when baking, a precise set of measuring cups and spoons can make the difference between success and failure. Be sure to have the right size set of mixing bowls for tossing a salad or marinating meat. And a good whisk makes blending sauces or aerating eggs much easier.
Organization and Storage
An essential piece of kitchen equipment is a sheet pan. You can use a sheet pan to organize ingredients before you start cooking, bake cookies, and roast vegetables, just to name a few examples. For easy kitchen storage, you can pick up some stackable containers to store leftovers. A colander is a cheap and useful addition to your kitchen as well.
Small Appliances and Gadgets
An immersion blender is perfect for blending hot liquids. Use it to blend soups and sauces like the kind you would find at a restaurant in St. George. A microplane grater is useful for zesting citrus or grating cheese. A can opener and a vegetable peeler may seem unnecessary, but they will make your life in the kitchen much easier.
Get Your Kitchen Ready for Cooking One Tool at A Time
You don’t need to buy all of these kitchen tools at the same time. A quality kitchen knife, a good pan, and a cutting board are a great starting point. Add on the other essential tools as your cooking habits dictate what you really use. Cooking should not be a hassle, and your kitchen tools should not be a burden. With the right essentials, recreating a restaurant experience at home is totally doable!