Infomercials, kitchen supply stores, 24 hour cooking channels, all day shopping channels, the internet, friends and family: we are getting advice on all of the newest kitchen gadgets we need. In reality, there are only a small number of items people need to cook nearly any recipe available. There are many specialty items that make certain jobs easier but sticking with a whole foods diet on a budget means not spending too much money on equipment.
First are the pots and pans. For the most part, any small or medium sized family can make due with just the following: A frying pan, a sauce pan, a stock pot all with lids, a cookie sheet, and a loaf pan. With this you can make anything from eggs, to brown rice, soup, baked fish, to homemade whole wheat bread.
The knife block is another place where many people buy more than they need. A chef’s knife is your jack of all trades. This can be used for preparing your produce, meat, and even smashing garlic cloves. A serrated knife is perfect for slicing bread, tomatoes, and large pieces of cooked meat. A paring knife is useful for finer cuts including peeling an apple, stemming tomatoes, or slicing shallots. Sheers help break whole chickens or other meats with bones and cut food when you do not want to use a cutting board. A wood or wood composite cutting board is perfect for cutting fruits, vegetables, and herbs. A plastic cutting board that is only for raw meats is necessary to prevent cross contamination.
Accessories include a spoon, spatula, ladle, and a whisk. You will also need pot holders, a rolling pin, a mixing bowl, a fire extinguisher, and a food processor and/or blender. There are many other gadgets that are handy to have around but few can perform a job that you cannot do with one of these. If you are concerned with the budget while starting a whole foods diet, be sure to not buy more kitchen equipment than you need.