1. A GOOD Knife
It may seem strange, but the shape of food has a big impact on the taste. Evenly cut vegetables will cook more evenly and smaller pieces can be better distributed throughout a dish. Besides that, sharper knives are actually much safer because they will not slip and cut you instead of your food. And chili with no thumb in it is definitely better than chili with a thumb in it, wouldn’t you agree? Pro tip: Learn to keep it sharp, and it will last you many years.
My choice: Victorinox all the way.
A standard chef’s knife can be used for 99% of cooking tasks, so what may seem like a steep price will actually provide much more utility than a set of 20 dull and oddly shaped knives. I find the 10-inch easiest to use, but many people prefer the 8-inch for even more versatility.
2. An Instant-Read Thermometer
For a long time I thought that thermometers in the kitchen were only for the most hardcore germaphobes. Never being one to be overly worried about slightly underdone meat, I never bothered getting one. But then one day it hit me, the purpose isn’t to keep you from UNDERcooking meat, it’s to keep you from OVERcooking meat. If you’re guessing, you are much more likely to err on the side of caution. But if you stop cooking the second the food is ready, say hello to delicious juicy tender steak and chicken instead of dry flavorless bricks. Plus, if you’re into candy making, this is a must.
My choice: Global Dealer Collapsible.
Tons of small things make this thermometer so convenient. Large range of temperature, meat temp chart, long probe that folds for storage, magnet to keep it on the fridge, and a fantastic price.
3. A Digital Scale
To be honest, I rarely even use measuring cups or spoons when cooking. BUT, if you have any desire to be a baker, a scale is a must. Any really good bread or cake recipe (and our wonderfully nit-picky perfect chocolate chip cookies) will give you measurements by weight, and if you want it to turn out, you will follow it religiously.
My choice: Ozeri Pronto.
Not much to say, just a nice straightforward no-frills scale. All of the necessary features and none of the unnecessary ones.
