By Oldschoozchef

I always am being asked to come to someone's house and cook for them. Sometimes they are simple meals and sometimes they are elaborate ones. It always amazes me when I go into a house with a gorgeous kitchen and appliances that would make any restaurant kitchen burn with envy. I always try to research the prospective client's inventory with a checklist of essentials that I will need to make my job easier and timely. Of course, a really great cook or chef is always going to be resourceful enough to complete the task at hand but sometimes, so much trouble and time could have been spent on much more important tasks.

> This is a list of the essential tools that are practical to outfitting a kitchen. If you're moving into your first new home or apartment, you need this guide. If you need a checklist of things you should have in your kitchen, you will need to read this list. Here's a shout out to Cook's Illustrated for their assistance. I love that magazine and TV program.

> There are many retailers out there trying to sell you gadgets that you only use once and then it sits in the kitchen, hidden away in some cabinet, cluttering it up uselessly.However, these are the right tools that you will be reaching for every time you decide to cook something.

>I am passionate about cooking and the tools I use to cook with. Save yourself the trouble of trial and error and go ahead and get the things on this list. Many of the items on this list are versatile and can be used for more than one purpose. Most of them are inexpensive, but don't buy a tool that is cheap. There are many reliable brands out there. I just want you to have them in your kitchen to make your cooking experience much easier.

>The List Of Kitchen Essentials:

>1. A Standing Mixer

>2. A Blender

>3. Tongs

>4. A Vegetable Peeler

>5. A Bench Scraper

>6. A Grater/Zester

>7. A Pepper Mill

>8. A Fine-Mesh Strainer

>9. A Rubber Spatula

>10. A Whisk

>11. A Salad Spinner

>12. Some Measuring Utensils

>13. A Digital Scale

>14. An Instant Thermometer

>15. An Oven Thermometer

>16. A Digital Timer

>17. A Food Processor

>18. A Roasting Pan

>19. A 12" Skillet (Cast Iron)

>20. A Dutch Oven

>21. An 8" Chef's Knife

>22. A Paring Knife

>23. A Serrated Knife

>24. A Cutting Board

>25. A 12" non-stick Skillet

> These are the essentials but I have a few things that I like to use in my kitchen because I am a food purist. On my mixer I have an attachment that grinds meat because I like to make my own sausages and freshly ground burgers and I do have a french fry cutter so I can make those fresh french fries when I have a craving. Cook's Illustrated has a list of the best and reasonably priced items on this checklist. I'd also like to invite you into my kitchen to browse at: My Kitchen Essentials Store