9 Items to Have in Your Kitchen by the Time You’re 30 Inline
Photo: Courtesy of lecruset.com1/9Cast-Iron Cookware
Cast iron isn’t just for Westerns—this versatile and durable material is ideal for frying and searing and can be tossed straight into the oven for baking. You can make just about anything in it, but here’s a pro tip: Next time you make a roast, sear the meat on all sides in your cast-iron skillet on the stove, then put the whole thing in the oven to finish cooking.
Le Creuset Signature Skillet, from $120, lecreuset.com
Photo: Courtesy of Williams Sonoma2/9A Knife Set
It may sound like a no-brainer, but there comes a point when that one use-it-for-everything sharp knife just won’t cut it anymore (pun intended). Proper knives in a range of sizes and shapes really do make prep and cooking so much easier. You don’t need a 25-piece block—a paring knife, bread knife, and chef’s knife will get you through just about anything.
Wüsthof Classic Ikon 3-piece Knife Starter Set, $290, williams-sonoma.com
Photo: Courtesy of meric-merci.com3/9An Apron
Time to get into character: Not only will a nice apron protect your clothes, but it’ll also make you look like you know what you’re doing in the kitchen. Spills and splashes will occur, especially when you’re just starting to learn to cook, so play it safe and cover up.
Merci by Merci canyon red pre-washed linen apron, $30, merci-merci.com
Photo: Courtesy of Sur la Table4/9A Food Processor
This is a secret workhorse of your kitchen. It can truly do it all: make juice, knead dough, grind nuts, or puree veggies.
Cuisinart Elemental 11-cup food processor, $150, surlatable.com
Photo: Courtesy of Target5/9A Slow Cooker
For those who don’t have time to cook every night, a slow cooker is a great tool for making easy meals that yield loads of leftovers: Think soups, stews, and much more. Plus, they’re surprisingly affordable and super easy to clean, as most models are dishwasher-safe.
Crock-Pot 2-quart manual slow cooker, $10, target.com
Photo: Courtesy of ABC Carpet & Home6/9A Pretty Cutting Board
Stop chopping on a paper towel on your nice new countertop. It’s time to find a sturdy cutting board—end-grain wood is the most durable—that will not only protect your knives, but will look beautiful enough that you might want to leave it out.
Tree to Green cypress wood cutting boards, from $80, abchome.com
Photo: Courtesy of food52.com7/9A Roasting Pan
Inevitably, if you’re taking time to teach yourself how to prepare your own meals, you’ll want to show off your newfound skills to friends and family. Roasting a whole chicken, pork loin, or even the Thanksgiving turkey is a great way to entertain, and having a pan large enough for the task is key.
Mauviel M’Héritage copper roasting pan with rack, $270, food52.com
Photo: Courtesy of waterford.com8/9More Than One Kind of Wine Glass
More Than One Kind of Wine Glass
At this point, you probably have a set of one-size-fits-all wine glasses. But at this point, it’s time to up your game a bit and have the proper glasses for the proper wine. No, it’s not necessary to have a set of eight glasses for every grape varietal, but a set of red wine glasses and a set of white wine glasses is a good place to start.Marquis by Waterford vintage full body red and classic white wine, set of 12, $99, waterford.com
Photo: Courtesy of themeadow.com9/9One Nonessential
Congratulations. You have all of the essentials, and now it’s time to have some fun by adding a cool gadget to your kitchen arsenal. Are you really into baking? Buy that Cuisinart stand mixer. Into healthy eating? Buy a spiralizer and make some zoodles to replace pasta. Do you love fish? Try cooking your next fillet on a salt block for extra flavor.
The Meadow Himalayan Salt Block, $16, themeadow.com
