By Casa de Suna
Published Jul 09
Here’s the reality: when it comes to cooking, you can have access to all of the best recipes in the world (and you will, if you head to the Recipes page on our site), but if your kitchen is set up for easy cooking–you’ll probably opt for takeout.
We don’t blame you, but we’re here to help. Here are the eight kitchen essentials that make us want to cook!
A comprehensive spice rack
Say it with us: you cannot cook a good meal without good spices! Evermill’s countertop spice rack makes it easier than you can imagine: there are eighteen fully stocked, clearly labeled spices that all rest in a countertop rack, meaning you can reach for them easily whenever you’re cooking. Trust us when we say this will change the game for you.
Great set of knives–and a magnetic block
If there’s one thing it’s crucial to invest in if you want to enjoy cooking, it’s a great set of knives. You don’t need a ton, but you do need a few. They’re a bit more of a splurge, but Wüsthof’s Ikon set features a chef’s knife, a carving knife, and a paring knife–all you need to get started. As far as storage goes, we’re obsessed with the ease and space-saving potential of a magnetic block–this one is our personal favorite.
Cast iron skillet
For high-heat cooking, you need a cast-iron skillet. It requires minimal oil, and for Le Creuset cookware, there’s no seasoning required. It makes cooking fast and easy. We love the shallot color of this particular one, but it’s worth noting: never use soap on it, and while it says it’s dishwasher safe, we wouldn’t recommend it.
Easy-to-clean pan
Cast iron skillets yield delicious results but scrubbing them is not always the easiest feat. That’s why we also love keeping the Blue Diamond Ceramic frying pan on hand. Use it to cook stickier foods like eggs and simply pop it in the dishwasher when you’re done.
Dutch oven
Both skillet and oven-safe, Dutch ovens retain heat evenly, prevent splatter, trap moisture for maximum flavor, and can be used for so many things: from a slow-cooked tagine to delicious baked goods and even bread. You’ll reach for your Dutch oven every time you want to make an impressive recipe without making a ton of effort–it’ll do all the work for you.
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.Food processor/blender
While you don’t technically need a food processor/blender combo, it’s one of those things that’ll make your life easier. Food processors will help you blitz ingredients, especially for sauces like pesto and non-dairy baked goods, in seconds; blenders make it easy to whip up something simple like a butternut squash soup or a green smoothie. It’s the type of item you’ll find yourself using every day once you own it.
High-quality salt
It’s our only food item in the mix, but we’d be remiss not to include it, because we use it in absolutely everything. This Celtic Sea Salt is a culinary favorite for a reason; it adds delicious flavor to every single thing you put it on, whether you’re salting boiling water, seasoning a salad, or sprinkling it atop a brownie. Bon appetit!
Cutting board and care kit
Yes, you need a good cutting board and care kit if you ever want to enjoy cooking. It’s unsafe to chop on your regular kitchen surface, and it’s unsanitary to buy a board but not care for it. The Boardsmith makes the best boards; they’re super-sturdy and last forever. Better yet, their Board Oil and Board Butter make the cleaning process simple–dare we say: fun? Once you chop on one of these boards, you’ll never go back.
Did you purchase any of our kitchen essentials? Tag us on social media using #casadesuna
