A couple weeks ago during the Chris Cooks Instagram Live, we received questions numbering not a few about which kitchen items I would say are "essential." I've spent a lot of time thinking about this, because "essential" really forces some editing.
I have drawers full of utensils. Cupboards full of cookware. A wall of cutlery. Everything has a task, and I use all of it when occasion arises. But if push came to shove I could cut a loaf of bread with my Chef's knife instead of a bread knife, or mince garlic with my Chef's knife instead of using a garlic press. I could also make stock in my dutch oven instead of a stock pot, or I could bake a casserole in it instead of a casserole dish.
So this is my list of essentials. Things that pull double, triple, quadruple - and whatever five or beyond would be - duty. Things a cook should use every time they step in the kitchen. The items and ingredients that make food great and cooking fun.
1. Le Creuset Signature Cast-Iron Round Dutch Oven (7 1/4-Qt. Matte White): $320
Cast iron is so amazing to cook with, but cleanup and upkeep can be a bear. I always opt for enamel-coated, so I can wash it with soap. Plus you can cook acidic things in it, like tomato sauce.
2. OXO Good Grips 7 Piece Glass Bowl Set: $52
I have glass bowls out every time I cook. Prepping ingredients, discarding vegetable or meat trimmings, making sauces. Whatever I need, they're great for. Bonus, they look great on the table so we serve in them all the time, too!
3. Daterra Ceramic Pan with Natural Nonstick Coating: $89
I'm not a fan of Teflon nonstick, and have been using this ceramic pan for a couple years now. I use it for eggs and it does great, but I also use it to sear meat. Does it all really well.
4. Microplane Zester Grater: $14
Grating ginger, grating garlic, grating nutmeg, grating citrus zest, grating hard cheeses. A Microplane grates things super finely, so pungent and vibrant flavors are easier to control.
5. Manual Juicer Citrus Squeezer: $9
I add fresh citrus juice to just about everything I cook. Either during the process, or just a hit right at the end. Wakes every dish up, as well as the tastebuds.
6. Multipurpose Flat Wooden Spatula: $15
This little tool has replaced just about all of my wooden spoons. Great for stirring, but also flipping meats or fish. I have 5 of these in a crock on my counter and I use multiple every time I cook.
7. OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Tongs: $12
OXO perfected the locking tongs. They aren't expensive, they last for years, and I use them every day. You can get metal tipped, or nylon.
8. OXO Good Grips Carving and Cutting Board: $27
A large cutting board can be used for everything. Small cutting boards cannot. If you have to choose, get large, and as large as you can find. I have several of these and can't recommend them enough.
9. Wüsthof Classic 8" Chef's Knife: $179
I get it. You can buy one knife for $180, or an entire set for $200!!! A $200 set of knives will not hold up, and I'd wager you won't use half of the knives in a set anyway. Spend the money to get one great Chef's knife, take good care of it, and it will be your best friend in the kitchen.
10. Peugeot 9-Inch Pepper Mill: $44
I love the grind on these pepper mills. Coarse to super fine, easy to adjust - and they last for half a decade or longer. And yes, Jim Gaffigan, people can tell the difference between fresh and stale pepper.
11. Redmond Real Sea Salt: $5
Not all salt tastes the same. My personal favorite is Redmond kosher salt, for the texture and trace minerals. But I'm also a fan of Himalayan pink.
12. Paesanol Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: $22
I'm finding I enjoy my food more when I do as little as possible to it. And I appreciate ingredients that are the same. I love this olive oil, for everything. It's a bit hazy because it's unfiltered, and tastes like actual olives for the same reason.
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Chris, thanks so much for this list. Could up please do another list about your preferred cleaning items? I have been hunting for a dish sponge that never smells moldy and can be thrown in the compost bin but also looks nice. It's driving me crazy. I also don't know if you've ever addressed this but what dish rack do you have? And do you put it away when the dishes are dry? I don't see it in any of your kitchen pictures?
Great list. A not so small saucepan would be in my list instead of the lemon squeezer (I normale squeeze by hand) and a stainless sieve gets tons of use in my kitchen (washing salad, draining pasta or canned food, smashing potatoes, etc). I am a huge fan of wooden spatulas and your look perfekt and can be used by lefties.
you probably mentioned it somewhere but what is that dark grey paint color in your kitchen?
"Thunderous" by Sherwin Williams
This list is awesome, and I completely agree! I had a hard time thinking of things to add that weren't redundant. If I had to expand the list, while still keeping it tightly edited, I'd add an aluminum baking sheet and an oven mitt (or at least a hearty dish towel). Next in line would be a serrated knife and a paring knife, and possibly a fish spatula (thinner and longer than a typical metal spatula - I use it for everything, everyday) and silicone bowl scraper/spatula. But, you could probably get by in a pinch without those. Thanks for sharing this! :)
I agree with every single one of these, and I second the vote for a pantry essentials list!
This is a great list! Simple and not very expensive items.
If you were to chose a material for pans/frying pans, would it be ceramic like the one on this list or any other preference?
Chris loves stainless steel frying pans. (Anolon is what we stock in our kitchen!)
This was great! Thanks so much for sharing. I am definitely going to add a few of these to my list!
I agree whole heartedly with these choices!
Thank you SO much for this post! I was on the live and put in a request for it and am so happy to have it. Excited to not only pick these up for myself but use them as a gift guide for others who love to cook. Thank you Chris!
This is so helpful! Would also love pantry essentials.