| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bramble |
Posted - May 21 2005 : 1:21:25 PM
I was asked to make a list for the soon to be bride of things in my kitchen "I can't live without". This was an interesting question because I do cook from scratch more than anyone I know. Our bride in question has just started living away from home and has always liked to cook but she doesn't want to fill up her new space with alot of "stuff" she will only use 1-2 times a year. Here's what I came up with:
Food processor
Kitchen Aid pedestal mixer w/ attachments
A good blender
4 slice toaster that fits bagels
measuring spoons
several clear glass measuring cups
light weight but durable mixing bowls
non stick, heavy weight cookie sheets,muffin pans
brownie pan, round cake pan, pizza pan
non stick & cast iron frying pan
small and large stock pots
1-2 sautee pans
A good can opener
Cooking utensils: spatula, whisk, wooden spoons
coffee maker of your preferance
crockpot (nice to have but not necessary!)
microwave oven ( if you like them)
knives ( the best you can afford, it matters!)
I've probably forgotten something but this list covers the essential cooks kitchen, I think! Anyone have some alternate or additional items they would be lost without? I'd appreciate your help, this is a great girl and I don't want to give her the wrong advice!
with a happy heart |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 6:28:11 PM
Yipeeee! I got a wine afciendo on board! Cindy, I am going to start another topic...just on wine! 
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
| Cindy Young |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 5:58:33 PM
OOHHH Meadowlark,
You are definintely a gal after my own heart!! I LOVE sparkling wine! Champagne is the best! For my 50th birthday almost 2 years ago, my best friend from Chicago, (I'm a Michigander) brought me a bottle of "White Star". Oh my gosh...I died and went to heaven! But, as cheap as I am, any sparkling will do! For any showers I give, I always serve "Mimosas". Guests love em!! Where do you have your vineyard? I am SO into wine!
Blessings and good wine,
Cindy
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Timothy 4:7 |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 5:35:22 PM
Can I join ya Cindy! I love wine too...Have 2 acres of wine grapes. Chard is great! Ice cold in the summer! You are right, a good corkscrew is a must! I like sparkling wine with a little orange juice or peach nectar.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
| Cindy Young |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 5:27:21 PM
Hey farm gals,
I love all the ideas for outfitting the perfect kitchen, but the one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet? My beloved wine corkscrew!!! Nothing beats sitting out on my front porch swing in the evening, watching the birds, and enjoying an ice cold glass of Chardonnay!!
Blessings,
Cindy Young
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Timothy 4:7 |
| shepherdess |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 5:15:23 PM
I couldn't live without my old wood cookstove. I have an electric one also. But love my old one especially in the winter.
Farm Girl from Western Washington
" From sheep to handspun " |
| countrymamma |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 5:09:51 PM
A Whisper Mill is a grain mill. http://waltonfeed.com/whisper.html
I grind my own organic grain which I purchase at the health food for in 50 lb. bags.
btw - thanks for the warm welcome. Glad to hear there are others from Manitoba here. Yes we do have some beautiful country.
~Carol |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 2:39:17 PM
Hi Carol, What is a Whisper Mill? Sounds interesting, by the way welcome to the forum! Glad you are here! We have several girls from Manitoba as members. Beautiful country up there!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
| countrymamma |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 2:29:57 PM
Along with most of the list above, I could not live without my aprons, my Whisper Mill and definitely my crockpot.
~Carol |
| Jana |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 12:53:20 PM
I couldn't live without my mom's cotton dish towels, which are getting rather thread bare. I wish I could find that narrow toweling again in stores (not the huck, the striped stuff). Also, my cast iron skillet, also from mom's kitchen, and her heavy hickory rolling pin. You don't even have to push down hard to use that one! Oh! And the hand knit dish cloths I make from cotton yarn. The absolute best and they don't get stinky!
Jana |
| sqrl |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 08:49:53 AM
I abosolutely cannot live without a garlic press, baking stones and a really good rubber spatulas in a few different sizes.I'm not big fan of kitchen gagets, I like just the necessities.
www.sqrlbee.com |
| countrykat |
Posted - Jun 02 2005 : 8:49:04 PM
I like the vintage cooking utensils but I am hooked on the nesting mixing bowls. I have found a couple sets on ebay that I just had to have and also got a repalcement bowl for one in the set I already had. Gotta keep hubby away from my bowls. I got this set from my Granma when I got my first apartment 20 years ago. |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - May 26 2005 : 5:03:53 PM
I saw the coolest vintage cake froster/knife the other day in a vintage shop. It had an ivory handle. It was just the same shape my mom's was, and I almost bought it. It was only $8.00.
Vintage kitchen tools are still really good and I use my sifter and ice cream scoop and strainer and measuring cups. All are vintage. Come to think of it, I am vintage, too!
Or, as I heard the other day on HGTV, "mid-century"!
jpbluesky
Heaven gives its glimpses only to those
Not in position to look too close.
from "A Passing Glimpse" by Robert Frost |
| Clare |
Posted - May 26 2005 : 12:38:14 PM
Bramble, I just read this article about old kitchen utensils that we like to collect and had a thought: Maybe find some really cool old kitchen items to give to your bride-to-be friend... perhaps as a shower gift or something.... If they're unusual, or perhaps unfamiliar to her, attach a tag with a short description of the item and its usage. Introduce her to the world of kitchen treasures!
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/home/treasures/story.asp?ID=71337
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - May 23 2005 : 05:26:52 AM
I would sure miss my tall soup/stock pot. I make a lots of soups from scratch and I also use the stock pot when I can veggies. In fact, a canning set is handy for many purposes, because the pieces and parts can be used for lots of cooking needs. I use my strainer bowl all the time for spaghetti and for draining pastas of all kinds.
jpbluesky
O, cease to heed the glamour that blinds your foolish eyes,
Look upward to the glitter of stars in God's clear skies.
from God's Garden by Robert Frost |
| Eileen |
Posted - May 22 2005 : 4:05:28 PM
Oh and don't forget, Pot holders and bread pans. Broom and dust pan. One of those 8 cup glass measuring cups with a spout. I use mine almost every day.
Eileen |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - May 22 2005 : 11:14:39 AM
Cool site Kim! Double Thanks!!! I put in a huge veggie garden and this will come in handy to preserve.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
| Kim |
Posted - May 22 2005 : 11:07:29 AM
Meadowlark,
try www.foodsaver.com
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - May 22 2005 : 11:03:53 AM
Thanks Kim!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
| Kim |
Posted - May 22 2005 : 11:01:48 AM
Meadowlark, you can find them at Kohl's. They usually have the best prices. You should be able to go online as well. I've also seen them at kitchen stores and hardware stores. Well worth the money. You can also reseal bags that have chips etc, and you can suck the are of out canning jars to make your spices last longer. You'll love it.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| Eileen |
Posted - May 22 2005 : 10:36:50 AM
The manual can opener that I wuld highly recommend is called "The Saftey lid lifter" and opens the can without leaving any sharp edges. they cost about $20 at a fancy kitchen store like Williams and Sonoma, but worth it. I bought the all stainless steel one and recommend it because the one with plastic parts sold through pampered chef and tupperware can crack. The cans then can be used again without the dangers of cutting someone. Like for the buddy burners and I use the cat food cans for soap molds. Also the cans are safe for your preschoolers and scout troops to use for projects.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - May 22 2005 : 09:15:30 AM
Girls, Where can I find one of those food savers???
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
| Kim |
Posted - May 22 2005 : 06:54:49 AM
I have a Food Saver too. I love it. I can buy larger quantities of Chicken, divide them up and vacuum out the air. That's a good idea to take it with you on trips!
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - May 21 2005 : 6:30:04 PM
A good old fashioned manual can opener, an orange squeezer, I use my grandma's antique glass squeezer, a pastry cutting tool or potato masher, and good quality cotton dishtowels. I like the Ritz brand, they last forever! Maybe some nice copper cookie cutters.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - May 21 2005 : 6:15:46 PM
I can't live without my cast iron 12" skillet, my bakeover pan and good cutting boards. I use a whole lot of dish towells too...since I hardly ever use paper towells.
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| Clare |
Posted - May 21 2005 : 3:52:02 PM
Bramble, I think you've got all the important categories covered there!
I'll just add these two items as extras, but nice to have: a cheese slicer, and an avacado knife. Yes, an avacado knife! Until a couple months ago I never knew they existed, but my daughter had a Pampered Chef party and one was demonstrated there, and I was hooked. I love avacadoes and eat them frequently, so getting all of the avacado out of the half shell with minimal mess is quite a feat. This knife, with the slightly curved in edges with a round tip, is just the ticket for cleanly and easily solving that dilemma... and it wasn't overly expensive - something like $5.
Maybe also just add a salad spinner? Depends on how much cooking at home she'll be doing, but a healthy cook these days usually prepares alot of salads.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
