5 Kitchen Tools Every Home Cook Should Invest In by Chef Paul Horowitz
When COVID hit and the whole world was scrambling for activities and ways to connect to each other. So, when one of my best girl friends from college suggested we do a zoom cooking class I was ALL IN!
Cooking? Yes. New recipes? Yes. Virtual Happy Hour with Friends? Yes.
Enter The Real Grumpy Chef (@therealgrumpychef) into my life! I have taken about 5 classes with Chef Paul. The recipes are fun, delicious and super easy to replicate on your own. Each class is roughly an hour long and the Chef talks you through the recipe while you make it. He then will follow up with the full recipe in writing for you to hold on to.
I have loved cooking with Chef Paul so much that I asked him to gather a list of the best of the best items to have on hand in your kitchen. While some are truly top of the line, he believes even just having one of these in your kitchen can transform your cooking experience!
here are his top five picks ...
Cutting Boards Chopping, slicing and prepping should always be done on a non porous surface. Wood cutting boards are used to show off your finished product. This board has rubber feet to keep it from sliding around. I recommend having at least 2 different colors to prevent cross contamination. Here is a great one: San Jamar Cutting Board with Rubber Feet
12” Cast Iron Pan One of the most affordable pieces of cookware in your kitchen will also be the most durable. Oven safe and easy to maintain makes this my go to pan to sear, roast or braise. Remember never to put this pan in the dishwasher. (*Stay tuned for a follow up post with tips for maintaining your cast iron pan.) This is the one I have in my kitchen: Classic 12" Cast Iron Skillet
3. Quality Wooden Spoon You never want to get burned picking up a spoon, and you never will when you use wood. Gentle on your pots and pans and easy to maintain. Make sure you never put this utensil in the dishwasher or it will crack. This particular spoon comes in multiple sizes. I have the 12” version in my kitchen: The Pot Scoop
4. 8-9" Chef Knife A knife is the most important tool in your kitchen arsenal. You should care for it by always hand washing it and keeping it sharp. The price of a knife varies by the craftsmanship and the combination of metals used to forge it. If you enjoy cooking and do so often, it is wise to invest in a quality piece of cutlery. Here are three great options: Professional Series 9 1/2" Chef's Knife (MBK-95) | Misono UX10 Gyutou | KORIN 10" Extra Wide Cook's Knife
5. Dutch Oven A dutch oven is the most versatile cooking utensil. You can sear, roast, braise, fry or bake all in the same piece of equipment. It’s enamel inside helps naturally keep items from sticking to it. Best of all, cleaning it is a breeze! This one is the perfect size for a family of four: Round Dutch Oven