Essentials of the Kitchen

Having a good stock of both equipment, spices, and food is essential in any kitchen.  There are a few things that I hold in special high regard. They make my kitchen complete, I use them frequently, and without them I am lost. Some may come to as a shock to you, others make perfect sense, either way the following is a list of the essentials of my kitchen (and I think every kitchen is incomplete without them.)

1. Crock Pot/Slow Cooker - great for, well, anything
2. Holy Trinity of Spices - Salt, Garlic, and Pepper (and I will refer to this mix as the Holy Trinity in my recipes)
3. Olive Oil - Infused with spices you like is better, plain never hurt
4. Pasta Pot - any pot you cook pasta in counts
5. Saute Pan - for things like garlic, onion, mushrooms, and the ever yummy bacon
6. Metal Tongs - great for BBQ Season
7. Plastic Tipped Tongs - great so you don't scratch your Teflon pans
8. Large Skillet - with two handles (one on each side)
9. Steamer - great for anything from eggs to fish, but required for tamales
10. Slotted Spoon - enough said there
11. Non slotted spoon - for soups
12. Strainer - for how are you going to make you pasta without it
13. Cookie sheet - not just for cookies, you need two of these
14. Casserole Dish - for more than just casserole
15. Paring Knife - great for trimming the fat off meat
16. Medium Size Carving Knife - to carve your cooked meat
17. Cheese Grater - the three tier kind with zesting, slicing and shredding
18. Cutting Board - for cutting things up of course
And last but not least, Wine/Beer - this will sometimes go in the food.

Please note that this is not an all inclusive list. If there are things your kitchen simply can't do without, please include them. Just like if there are things you think would sound good in my recipes, make them your own.

My first recipe will be posted tomorrow, along with drink, and a game review.