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Victorinox Forschner 8-inch Chef’s Knife: Perfect for those who aren’t mature enough to have nice things (like me) but still need a reliable, all-purpose knife. The Victorinox is useful for chopping vegetables or thinly slicing meat. Since it’s cheap, I don’t mind using a knife sharpener on it instead of taking it to a professional. This way, it is always sharp. |
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15-inch Cast Iron Skillet: I picked up this cast iron skillet at TJ Maxx for about half the regular price. You can use it to sauté vegetables, roast a chicken, sear meat, or cook on the grill. |
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Slow Cooker: You don’t need a fancy slow cooker. Mine only has one heat setting and the lid broke. I use it primarily for cooking beans, rendering lard, making stock and tomato tapenade, or braising a tough cut of meat for so long that it becomes tender. |
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Cuisinart 11-cup Food Processor: If you’re going to get a food processor, splurge on a large one. I use this to make mayonnaise, pesto, marinades, sauces, and even pie and pizza dough. Some home cooks prefer the Kitchen Aid version. |
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Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender: Emulsion blenders are convenient for puréeing soup or other foods without busting out the annoying-to-clean food processor. I love this model because you can detach the bottom for easy cleaning. |
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Enamel Dutch Oven: I picked up a knock-off of the famous Le Creuset version at TJ Maxx for about $35. It is red but a little more modern in design. It evenly distributes heat, so it is perfect for making soups or emotionally caramelizing onions. You can also place it in the oven and use it as a baking dish. |
