Over the years, I saw my parents' kitchen cycle through a number of items: bread machine, rolling hand powered mincer, air fryers, food processors, rice cooker. My culinary imagination has not exactly been free from that influence as I had purchased a few myself including a pasta maker, soy milk machine, pirogie press and others.
I am in no way a minimalist : I love to imagine large scale industrial production, at home. New hobby - new tool. Tool on clearance - maybe, I want to try just know what it's like. etc. Parts? Nothing should be thrown out because so much effort and natural non renewable resources went into making something.
While a restaurant's kitchen which frequently makes certain food items that could benefit from reduced labour time in preparation, specialized kitchen appliances are somewhat analogous to automobiles : parked for 95% of their useful life.
My list of essential kitchen items :
- Knife (2) - not serrated
- Sharpening stone
- Sharpening steel ( a second knife can work, but it still isn't quite as good )
- Cutting board - wood preferably
- Mixing bowl - a smaller center bottom works best
- Spatulas
- Cookie sheet
- Wooden spoons
- Colander
- Skillet, Wok, sauce pan, Boiling pot for pasta/noodles
Machines :
- Blender - replaces a mortar and pestle for some applications
- Water distiller - if you have hard water and do not want to ruin your kettle
- Pressure Canner ( stovetop ) - freezing food is best avoided.
For beverages, this one may be a little more controversial, but keeping it simple works as well :
- Kettle, electric - safer than a stove top as it stops when boiling is complete.
- Coffee preparation - French Press with pour over filter funnel and carafe. While a French Press makes a rich coffee, the fine and clean taste of a paper or cloth filter makes a great difference.
- Tea pot - sharing makes tea more enjoyable.
