Speaking of kitchens, I was listening to the America’s Test Kitchen podcast in the car the other day during the caller phone-in portion of the show. A recently-engaged woman had called in to ask what Chris Kimball and Bridget Lancaster’s “all-star, can’t-live-without in the kitchen” equipment recommendations would be, and which kitchen items they would suggest one register for.
I think we can all agree that you could get by with very little, but in an ideal (wedding registry) situation, one needs a list. Here were their “big-ticket, go-for-the-gold” picks…
These are the “big ones” (with their top brand picks):
All-Clad Skillets and Saucepans (The test kitchen agreed: at least a 12-inch and 8-inch skillet and a 4-qt. saucepan to start.)
Le Creuset Enameled Dutch Oven (7-qt.)
Kitchen-Aid Stand-Mixer
Cuisinart Food Processor
Some good knives…
An 8″ Chef’s Knife, a pairing knife (3-1/2 or 4″ blade). And a stiff, serrated bread knife is optional. (Victorionox and Wüsthof were their recommended brands.)
Knife sharpener. They like the Chef’s Choice.
A nice wooden cutting board. (They like bamboo, but also recommend Polypropylene mats.)
If you like to bake…
Half-sheet pans, rimmed (useful for everything)
Cooling racks
Kitchen timer
Extras…
Therma-pen (Expensive, but “worth the money.”)
Tongs (Go for the longest ones if you’re using on the barbecue), wooden spoons, rubber spatulas, and parchment paper.
What would you add?
My other top picks would include a hand juicer; a microplane (useful for everything from citrus, to parmesan, to nutmeg); mixing bowls; and stainless steel measuring spoons and cups. And the luxuries I’d add would be a waffle iron (for these and these), an ice cream maker, and a baking steel. And then there’s a whole ‘nother list for all of those coveted linens and beautiful table items.
P.S. The Ultimate Baby Registry
[Photos of from a food styling workshop at Karen Mordechai’s Brooklyn studio: the most aspirational kitchen (and props) I could imagine.]
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