Setting up a new kitchen can be really exciting, be it your first apartment or a bigger space. For Indian households, the kitchen truly is the heart of the home—good food and memories are made here. However, equipping your kitchen with appliances and gadgets is indeed a daunting task, more so due to the availability of a wide range of options these days. From basic cookware to handy appliances, having the right essentials makes cooking easier and much more enjoyable. This guide will help you identify key cooking essentials that you'll need to have the capacity to set up a functional, well-equipped kitchen ready to fight anything from everyday meals to festive feasts.
Things Required in Cooking to Include
Cookware
Pressure Cooker: This is the heart of all Indian kitchens. Pressure cookers are essential to cooking rice, lentils (dal), and many other items quickly and effectively.
Kadhai (Wok): A good kadhai is important since it will be required for frying, sautéing, and cooking a large number of Indian dishes.
Tawa (Griddle): This will be used for making chapatis, dosas, and parathas.
Saucepan: This can be used to boil, simmer, and make soups or sauces. A medium-sized saucepan is versatile and, therefore, very useful.
Knives and Cutting Tools
Chef's Knife: One must have a good chef's knife for quickly and effectively chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients.
Paring Knife: A paring knife is constructed to be utilized in peeling and other minor cutting jobs; it can be termed as a companion to a chef's knife.
Cutting Board: One requires a strong cutting board to save your countertops and make the process of food preparation safer and easier.
Utensils
Spatulas and Spoons: Many varieties of spatula and spoon come in handy, from slotted or solid to ladles, to perform tasks like stirring, serving, and flipping.
Whisk: This will help one in blending batters, whipping eggs, and emulsifying dressings—the whisk is priceless.
Tongs: For flipping and otherwise handling a number of foods that are hot, tongs can be really useful utensils in any kitchen.
Appliances
Mixer Grinder: This is one versatile piece of equipment and grinds well for spices, making chutneys, or pastes. Definitely a must in every Indian kitchen.
Rice Cooker: This appliance cooks rice of the right consistency without continuous monitoring, hence saving time to use elsewhere.
Toaster: To go with your breakfast on the go, this is a very convenient toaster, be it just toasting bread or making a sandwich.
Microwave: Ideal for re-heating purposes, defrosting, and even cooking some dishes, a microwave comes as a great addition to one's kitchen.
Storage Solutions
Spice Rack: A rack for your spices makes them accessible and keeps your kitchen clean and organized.
Airtight Containers: For dry goods such as flour, rice, pulses, and snacks, airtight containers will keep your food fresh, free from insects, and contamination-free.
Refrigerator Organizers: These will keep your refrigerator organized so that locating and reaching out for ingredients becomes easier.
Measuring Tools
Measuring Cups and Spoons: If you would like to cook or bake anything, you will find measuring cups and spoons indispensable for exact measurements.
Kitchen Scale: They are equally useful for accurate measurements, especially in baking. A kitchen scale helps with complete accuracy.
Bakeware
Baking Trays/Pans: These are required if you are into baking. Different kinds of baking trays and pans are used for cakes, biscuits, and other items.
Mixing Bowls: These are useful in the preparation and mixing of ingredients in different proportions.
Cleaning supplies
Dish Rack: Keeps your dishes dry and helps in managing your kitchen.
Sponges and Brushes: Used to clean dishes, utensils, and surfaces.
Dish Soap and Cleaning Sprays: Keep your kitchen clean and sanitized with effective cleaning products.