ultimate kitchen

A good instant-read thermometer is one tool that is really great to have around the house. I can't tell you the number of times it has saved me from serving undercooked meat or chicken. When choosing a thermometer you want to make sure you get one that is easy to read, has a great response time, is accurate (this should be priority one), and has a well thought-out design.

The thermometer that gets all the praise (you'll see the chefs on America's Test Kitchen touting this one, as well as Alton Brown) is the Thermapen thermometer. It's well known for its super-fast speed and accuracy, plus the probe portion is quite long (you'll be able to get to the true center of a pot roast) and conveniently folds in. It's available in several different colors, however it doesn't come cheap. This guy is the king of thermometers and its price tag shows: $84.95.

Two more that won't break the bank, including one that will let you know when things are done, so read more

We've covered a few super basic kitchen necessities lately, so I thought today's Ultimate Kitchen would be a food processor. Now, food processors aren't absolutely necessary, but they really do come in handy. I use mine all the time for pesto, salsa, pizza dough, and a number of other culinary creations. When choosing a food processor the biggest concern should be size. Now you might think to yourself, it's just me, I only need a three cup food processor. However I'd think again, most recipes are going to be much larger and you won't be able to do things like pizza dough or bread. Also be sure the base is strong and sturdy, the heavier the base, the less likely it is to move around.

The one that I'm considering (ours recently broke) is the Cuisinart Classic. It has a 7 cup capacity and includes several extra blades and discs (steel blade, dough blade, slicing disc and shredding disc). Like most food processors it also has an extra-large feed tube for large food slices. However one of the great features is that the pusher has a pinhole for dripping oil. I also enjoy the fact that it has a safety lock/load feature (three parts must be aligned), however some people find it to be cumbersome, and those little pieces may break. Cost: $100.


If you're looking for something with more bells and whistles, Real Simple magazine recommends the Magimix 4200 XL. This $350 machine is made by the French company Robot Coupe (who developed the Cuisinart in the 1970s). Although it is quite large and takes up a lot of precious counter space, it comes with a wide feed tube, five disks, two blades, a whisk, and three bowls. There's also a box for storing the smaller parts and a twelve year warranty.

Two more, both under $60, so read more

Every kitchen needs a baking sheet (aka jellyroll pan). Not only are they great for baking cookies and pizza, but you can put it under a roast to catch drippings.

So you're probably saying to yourself, okay but what's the big deal, a piece of metal is a piece of metal, right? Wrong. Think about it, have you ever put a sheet of cookies inside the oven only to hear this weird "thwoang" noise? That, my friends, is the sound of your thin baking sheet warping (also, thin baking sheets may cause the bottom of baked goods to burn or heat unevenly). To avoid this, you'll want to invest in a couple good quality, heavy, durable, rimmed baking sheets. Oh, and make sure they'll fit in your oven, refrigerator and cabinets.

This professional-grade baking sheet from Chicago Metallic is heavier than most standard bakeware, distributes heat evenly and the aluminum-coated steel won't rust or warp. The rimmed edge is deep enough for baking cookie bars, and perfect for catching any drippings. One for $17 or two for $30.

If your kitchen is a tiny one, you might consider a quarter sheet pan instead. It has a light-colored matte finish that promotes even heat absorption and is half the size of a standard home baking sheet (perfect for those small kitchens). One quarter sheet will cost you $11.95.

Two more, so read more

If you ask any home cook what her favorite kitchen utensil is, I guarantee that at least half of them (if not more) will say her wooden spoon. A great kitchen spoon is a must have. Without one there is no tasting of broth, no mixing of cookies, none of that. When choosing a kitchen spoon, you want to make sure you pick one that is made from quality materials, if it's wooden, it shouldn't splinter and if it's plastic, it shouldn't melt. You also want to make sure that the spoon you choose is the correct length and size.

To get around the length problem, you might consider a set of 3 wooden spoons. These spoons are made from a French cherry hard wood with a closed grain and come in three different sizes. The sizes, which are 12", 14" and 16", are perfect for stirring items in a tall stock pot, or in a 1" frying pan. Set of three available for $17.50.


If you're more into fashion than form, you might be interested in the Happy and Cheeky spoon set. Available in several different colors (including orange, blue, red and green), these melamine spoons are sure to liven up the kitchen. I don't know how you couldn't smile at this dishwasher safe pair. Set of two for $10.00.

Two more spoons, including one with a unique design, so read more

In the kitchen there are usually a bunch of things that people take for granted and never think twice about. They get taken out to do their function and then put back as soon as possible. One of these items is a colander. When choosing a colander, you should look for one that is well balanced, not too big for your sink, fits in your cupboard, and has a nice solid base. You can pay over $50 for a great one, or find a surprising one for less than $10.

If money and space is no objection, then definitely look into the All-Clad Stainless 5 Quart Colander ($69.99). The large capacity will allow you to strain almost anything and the heavy stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and non-reacitve to acidic food. The handles have been sized for a firm grip and have re-inforced rivets for strength. Oh and did I mention that it's actually dishwasher safe?

Three more colanders, including one for a tiny apartment, so read more

This week's ultimate kitchen item is a great mixer. I know, it's a bit of a splurge, and not everyone is going to use it. However, if you bake a lot (or plan on becoming a better baker), then you might really want to consider one. And, if you're building a registry, it's a great item for people to chip-in and get for you, so go for it!

My personal favorite (the one I have and love love love) is a KitchenAid Pro 600. It's a little pricey (list price: $500, but most places sell it for less than $400), but it will do everything you want it to and more. It comes with a flat beater, a wire whip, dough hook and a clear plastic pouring shield. You also have the option of purchasing other attachments such as a meat grinder, pasta maker or ice-cream machine. If the Pro is too pricey, KitchenAid also has an Artisan model that has a bit less power and capacity.

Three more mixers, including one you can use even if you don't have the counter space, so read more

The next item on my ultimate kitchen list is a 2 quart saucepan. This size is perfect for sauces, heating up small amounts of soup, oatmeal, etc.

Try to find one that has a good grip and a handle that will not conduct too much heat. It should also have a heavy base that will conduct heat evenly. Also, make sure that the pan you choose comes with a well fitted lid.

A good choice for your kitchen is a stainless steel pan with a copper core or bottom. The copper in this 2 quart saucepan from All-Clad will provide for quick and even heat distribution and the stainless steel won't react with food. It has long "stay-cool" handles and a rolled edge rim for dripless pouring. However, it's definitely a splurge at $235 (registry time!).

Two reasonably priced saucepans to check out, so read more

This one seems obvious, but the ">ultimate kitchen should have a cutting board or three. Traditionally cutting boards were big blocks of wood, however these days there are many different kinds of materials, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. For example, glass is very durable and easy to clean, however they are terrible for your sharp knife edges. Wooden boards, on the other hand, are terrific for knife edges, but not so easy to clean.

At my house, we have several plastic boards, and a large wooden one. The plastic boards are used for meats and fish and the wooden one for vegetables and pastry (it's pretty large and fits over one half of the sink, creating more work space - which is great in my tiny house).

The right kind of cutting board will depend on your needs and personal taste. Pay attention to the size of it vs. your countertops, and the weight. A good board should be heavy, so it does not slip, but if it's too heavy to move and won't fit in your sink, it won't do you much good.

No matter what you end up deciding on, here are a few rules that you need to follow:

• All boards need to be washed in hot soapy water immediately after use.
• If your board has many small cracks and cuts, it's time to say farewell. Those grooves are a terrific hiding place for bacteria and raw food. Wooden boards can be resurfaced, but you will need to coat them with a "food safe" finish.
• Don't put a wooden board into the dishwasher. It will dry it out and ruin the lifespan.
• Always cut raw meats (including poultry and fish) on a board that is easy to properly sanitize.
• Be sure your boards are completely dry before putting them away for the night.
• Wooden boards should be seasoned and oiled with food grade oil. This should be done before using and then again on a monthly basis, or as needed.

The large wooden board by John Boos & Co. (shown above) gets rave reviews and is available for $57.95.

And, I'm not sure about the durability of these particular bamboo boards($24.95 - $25.95), but, to be honest, I really like the way they look.

When I'm at parties I'm always asked one of three things.

1- What's your favorite thing to make?
2- What's your favorite restaurant?
3- What's your favorite kitchen tool?

The first two are hard, but the last one is the most difficult. There's so many to choose from: mixer, grater, food processor, pepper grinder, etc. Since there are so many so called "essentials" I've decided to highlight one each week. Most of these will be kitchen must-haves, but I'll also highlight the occasional splurge. You can think of this list as The Ultimate Kitchen.

To start things off, every kitchen needs at least one good 8" chef's knife. A full set of knives is nice to have, but it's actually better (and cheaper) to build your own set. This way you'll get the knives that suit your needs best. So to start off your set, invest in a good chef's knife. I personally really like the knives from Global, they have a lightweight feel and a unique grip handle. Plus, if I'm going to be 100% honest, I also just like the way they look.

A Global 8" Chef's Knife will set you back about $86. If you're adding it to a registry, you may consider requesting the 3-Piece Global Knife Set which includes a 3 1/2" paring knife, a 5 1/4" utility knife and 7" santoku (which can replace the need for an 8" chef's knife).

If you don't like the way Global's feel (go in and test them out first), Wüsthof and Henckels are both really nice knives as well.