Cooking can be not only efficient but also enjoyable if you have a well-equipped kitchen. With the proper tools, you will have the ability and freedom to tackle any cooking project. If you have a small kitchen, however, cooking can be rather challenging. Fortunately, with a few essential cooking essentials for small kitchens, you will have a great time preparing amazing meals.
Here are the top 9 essential cooking items for small kitchens:
1. Chef’s Knife
A knife is one of the most important tools for preparing food whether you have a small or large kitchen. If you have a small kitchen, you probably only have space for one knife, which should ideally be a chef’s knife. You will be using the knife for up to 90 percent of your food prep, so buy a good one and take proper care of it.
2. Cutting Board
A sturdy, stable surface is essential for food preparation. A wooden cutting board ensures that your knife won’t dull too fast and it makes cleanup easy too. If you place your cutting board over the sink or on top of the stove (while turned off), it is possible to add up to a square foot of work surface for prepping ingredients, which is obviously a good thing if you have a small kitchen.
3. Mini Food Chopper
If you have a small kitchen, you probably have limited counter space. However, that shouldn’t prevent you from making tasty dishes for your loved ones. A mini food chopper is a small but amazing kitchen appliance. You can use it for dicing your onions and mincing your garlic in a fraction of the time it takes to chop by hand, all in a very limited space.
4. Collapsible Measuring Cups and Spoons
It is always handy to have a set of measuring cups and spoons around for the times when you need precise measurements. Collapsible silicone measuring cups and spoons are ideal for a small kitchen since you can store many of them in your kitchen without taking up too much space. They are also easy to clean, which makes a must-have item for your small kitchen.
5. Collapsible Prep Bowls
Every kitchen, small or large, requires a set of prep bowls to help you organize all your ingredients. If you have a small kitchen, collapsible bowls are more preferable to regular glass prep bowls since they will allow you to save a lot of space. Furthermore, you will have the convenience of covers to seal off ingredients that aren’t quite ready for cooking yet.
6. Non-Stick Frying Pan
All kitchens, big or small, should have a non-stick pan for preparing breakfast since pancakes and eggs are best made on a non-stick surface. Non-stick frying pans are also incredibly versatile since they can be used for various cooking applications such as making sauces, sautéing your vegetables, as well as searing meats.
7. Dutch Oven
If you pair a Dutch oven with your non-stick frying pan, you are covered for cooking virtually any dish that you can think of. The great thing about Dutch ovens is that they hold large quantities of liquid for braising, boiling, or even deep frying, for stews, pasta, and fried chicken. It is even possible to bake in a Dutch oven, usually up to 350 degrees.
8. Saucepan
A saucepan is another must-have item in any kitchen regardless of size since it is great for cooking something with liquids, such as simmering sauces and beans or boiling your vegetables and pasta. A 4-quart saucepan, however, is ideal for a small kitchen since it is not only easy to handle and maneuver, but can be used for cooking for 1 person or 4 people.
9. Sheet Pan
Sheet pans are great for roasting your wrapped chicken or salmon or even baking cookies. Sheet pans are ideal for foods that usually stick to the pan thus making it challenging to clean. So, if you plan to be using your oven regularly, you should seriously consider investing in a sheet pan for easy cleanup.
Final Thoughts
Cooking in a small kitchen does not have to be a hassle. With the 9 easy cooking essentials for small kitchens featured here, you will have a clean, orderly kitchen where cooking is not only easy but also enjoyable. Happy cooking!
