Essential cookware

[robfosters]

Say for example you were setting up home, had absolutely nothing and enjoyed cooking, what would you say is an essential list of cookware to have to be able to cook pretty much everything?

Basically our cookware is old and needs replacing, so I want to get a list of everything I need, and to be honest, I'm a bit unsure.

 

[FrenchTart]

A nice big cast iron skillet. Great for frying bacon, steak and even making pizza.

Just one or two decent knives with a balance that you like and a decent steel to go with.

A giant wooden chopping board.

... probably loads more but those are the absolute minimum essentials that I can think of right now. I'm sure someone else will chime in soon enough with more suggestions.

 

[Rich_L]

We use our le creuset dutch oven all the time, it was a wedding gift which was nice but if buying myself I'd probably be fine with a cheaper version I.e. by Lodge or similar, if its cast iron coated in enamel then it's basically great and very versatile

 

[pitchfork]

Big frying pan, big saucepan, little (curved) saucepan (lids for all 3).

One sharp chefs knife and steel, wooden chopping board, plastic meat board, wooden spoon, spatula, sieve.

That's all you need, bare bare minimum for pain in the arse cookery.

 

[randomshenans]

God, long list I'd say:

- Decent set of pans (3 minimum - Bigger one for pasta etc. medium for sauces, smaller one, things like beans for random examples)

- Good knife (ves) - Don't need to buy a "set" a couple of decent knives will be worth their weight. As well as bread knife too.

- Good chopping board (I have a few wooden big ones and the J&J coloured set which is good)

- Frying pan / higher sided pan. I use this for frying, or steaks, or things like bolognaise etc.

- Fish slice, whisk, can opener, bottle opener, spoons, spatulas (I try and get silicone so they don't scratch)

- hand blender (my KMix is the nuts and does a load of things)

- Oven dishes, caserole dish. Use ours all the time.

- Oven trays. Roasts, veg etc etc used all the time



I can't think now, but I know I'll remember a load more things used every day!!

 

[Pestilence]

Selection of Chef's knives to suit you, including bread knife.
Skillet.
Higher edged frying pan.
A couple of larger pots.
Casserole dish.
Fish slice.
Tongs.
Vegetable peeler.
Sieve/drainer.
Can opener.
Large wooden chopping board (the best kind).
Wooden spoon.

Could probably get away with just that lot in my kitchen.