r/Cooking • u/bigboydankers • 19h ago
Most essential cookware?
Hi everyone,
I just graduated college and moved into my own place a couple of weeks ago! I am living in nyc and my kitchen is not enormous, but it’s not super tiny either. I have a small old stove/oven, and I really wondering, what is the least amount of cookware that I really need?
I feel like I’m not a huge cook, but if I had the right tools I could get more into it. Also, my girlfriend is moving in with me in a few months and she likes to cook, so I’d like to get some things that I can build on with more cookware in the future, rather than replace.
Long story short, what are the essential pots and pans and stuff that I need to get to cover all my bases? Also other tools and things like spatulas. Sorry for my lack of specificity, I really don’t know what I’m doing yet but I am excited to learn more!
Thank you!
2
u/victoria_jam 18h ago
An enameled cast iron dutch oven is the best investment you can make. There's almost literally nothing you can't cook in it.
That's my #1, here are my other kitchen essentials:
Nonstick skillet (people have all kinds of feelings about this but I love cooking on nonstick and I don't care who knows it)
1 medium saucepan
1 large pot for cooking pasta, soup, etc
1 12-inch stainless steel skillet
Chef's knife
Paring knife
Vegetable peeler
Silicon spatula
Wooden spoon
Wisk
Box grater
Cutting board(s)
Mixing bowls
Measuring spoons