Good Chefs Have These Items In Their Kitchen
Do you consider yourself something of a skilled home chef? If you do, chances are you are keen on showing off to your friends and family with your skills and expertise. If this i the case, you might already be aware that there are certain ingredients that are staple necessities; those things which you need to ensure you always have in your cupboard, no matter what. If you are unsure as to what might or might not be necessary in this regard, then read on. In this article, we are going to take you through some of the absolute basics that all chef’s kitchens should ideally have at all times.
Herbs
There is hardly a decent meal which can be properly prepared without the aid of some herb or another. This is something that all chefs are aware of, or should be. As a rule, it makes sense to have as many herbs as possible in your kitchen. Ideally, you should have a variety of both fresh and dried herbs. In all likelihood, you will have more range with your dried herbs than your fresh, but both are important and have their place. A decent herb and spice rack is important for any chef, and it needs to be in easy reach of your general cooking area. Fresh herbs should be potted, and kept on a windowsill or even outside, to be brought in as and when necessary.
Ice
Although not often considered as basic as herbs, there is so much that ice does that it well deserves a mention. Ice can be used in a number of dishes, often in small amounts, but it is so frequently used that you can’t overlook it. And let’s not forget that you will need ice for any cocktails you might make. Come summer time, not having ice in the kitchen is a chef’s worse nightmare, so make yourself prepared for it now by getting yourself an ice maker. These reviews of the top portable ice makers for 2017 should give you somewhere to get started. With any luck, you will have a constant stream of ice in your kitchen all year round.
Oils & Vinegars
One of the secrets that chefs are less keen on sharing is just how often the good flavour of a dish comes from a few choice cheat items. Famously, salt does a lot of work on that front – but so do a lot of vinegars and oils, and a decent chef knows the importance of having a range of them. There are many different kinds of oils and vinegars, and it is worth stocking up on as many of them as you can. The essentials are vegetable and olive oil, along with malt vinegar, white wine vinegar, and balsamic vinegar. Beyond that, it is really up to you, based on what sorts of dishes you like to cook and what you generally do with them. The right oil or vinegar being to hand can make producing those flavours much easier, so this is vital.