FOOD&DRINK

Just what does the budding home chef need to keep in their drawers? Melissa Blease puts the kit into kitchen.

Pots, pans, knives, chopping boards, baking trays and, erm, a cooker: your basic kitchen must-haves are all present and correct, but time, cash and patience are at an all-time low. If there’s a gadget-sized gap in your life just begging to be filled by a gleaming, efficient, cost-effective new toy, we’re about to supply you with the ultimate kitchen wish list (and take up all your extra storage space while we’re at it). Feel a fad coming on? We’ve also got the lowdown on the gadgets that don’t make the guest list.

Hand-held blender

Why? Because it’s nigh on impossible to make soups, sauces and purees without one. Choose a model with whisk and mini-chopper attachments (around £30) and you’ve got yourself an indispensible, multi-tasking kitchen devil. Why not? Can be difficult to clean. How much? From £15-ish for a straightforward souper.

Food processor

Why? Even the most basic models mix, chop, blend, knead, puree and grate; a massive amount of long, hard work can be done in an instant, at the flick of a switch. Deluxe versions, meanwhile, often include blender, whisking, grinding and milling facilities (and any day soon, probably a flat-screen TV). Why not? Can take up a massive amount of storage space; often very fiddly to clean; there’s a daunting range to choose from, so do a lot of careful research before you invest. How much? From £20 for a very basic model up to the kind of price tag that requires a second mortgage.

Slow cooker

Why? Turns cheaper cuts of meat into sumptuous, slow-cooked, velvety stews and casseroles; extremely cost-effective compared to conventional slow-cooking in an oven; sophisticated models come with a timer facility. Why not? Although the cooking process is taken care of, the most effective recipes still require a bit of effort to prepare (browning the meat etc); storage issues again (some models are behemoths). How much? From £25-ish.

Bread maker

Why? The easy way to make freshly baked bread (and, with certain models, marmalade, jam and cakes) from wholesome ingredients. Why not? You have to get into the routine of making sure you’ve got all the right ingredients to hand (flour, yeast, oil etc); you need plenty of storage space for the machine itself; if you don’t follow the instructions to the letter, you’ll end up wasting a lot of dough. How much? Circa £65.

Electronic/digital scales

Why? Indispensable to baking fans, they take the worry out of accurate weighing. Why not? No major drawbacks, but check the weight limit on compact models before you buy. How much? From around £12.

Electric knife

Why? Effortlessly slices fresh or frozen bread into elegant, virtually crumb-free slivers; makes carving a joint a doddle. Why not? Extreme caution urged when operating – you really don’t want to sacrifice your fingers in your quest for the perfect slice. Also requires thoughtful storage when not in use. How much? £12+.

Mandolin (or mandoline)

Why? The fast, safe (!) way to slice, julienne, waffle and crinkle firm vegetables and fruits to uniform, Michelin-approved standards. Why not? Although it offers fabulous results, this flashy gadget still requires a lot of patience from a dedicated cook with a fine eye for detail. If you’re a natural born show-off, however, this is the toy for you. How much? From around £20.

Indispensable basic items that do a thoroughly decent job A decent hand-held vegetable peeler; a top-notch, stainless steel, multi-faceted cheese grater; plastic spatulas; a basket steamer; a chunky, funky garlic crusher; sturdy tongs; a high-quality paintbrush (for glazing/sealing/basting) – all cheap as chips, easy to source, store and clean... and worth their weight in gold.

Fad gadgets Think carefully before you invest in the following items: pasta/ice-cream/yoghurt makers; milk frother; electric steamer; George Foreman grill; smoothie maker – they’re not always worth the price/space in your kitchen (and are therefore all readily available in your nearest charity shop).
 

Copyright Melissa Blease 2011 

Tweet