Beginner's handbook to Kitchen Essentials

Beginner's handbook to Kitchen Essentials

A section for "Beginner's in the Kitchen" or "The confused Cooks" who are lost when it comes to understanding what are the essentials they need to buy for their kitchen. Trust me, a few essential items are all you really need to stock and yet, you can do plenty of cooking with them. You do not require fancy and expensive utensils, cookware, appliances, equipment and gadgets to be a good cook. Below, I have assembled some basic tips I hope will come handy as you bravely step up into the fascinating world of Cooking! :) 

You don't have to wait until you buy all that you require in your kitchen to start cooking! If you have the basic stuffs, then start gradually. You will realize most of your requirements or what you are missing in your kitchen as you gradually start cooking.

Basic shopping tips :

Before you go shopping, keep in mind the following :

1.      What is your cooking style.

2.      What is your kitchen size.

3.      What would your cooking needs be.

Save money :

If you have a low budget, then, before you eventually begin buying, just stroll through your favourite store, look around and learn. Go back to your kitchen and you will have a better idea as to what you genuinely require and what is actually available to buy. List down your basic requirements. I have put up a list below, that might come handy. Do refer.

Shop for quality over quantity :

"DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON CHEAP COOKWARE!" 

For instance, if you come across a special offer pack of half a dozen of knives, do not pick it up instead of getting a good quality useful knife. Understand the use of it. A good quality knife will save you the cost of a knife sharpening stone as well and it will reduce your work with faster and better cutting and chopping.  

Invest smartly!!

"FIRST THINGS FIRST!" 

Set your initial budget and only get regularly required items. Keep those once in a while required items for later.

Informed decision :

Before deciding on major investment always collect information. Your mother can give you a good feedback. Take advises from an aunt or family friend who is experienced. Or sometimes advise from a good salesman can help.

Focus on the long run usage :

Never make a mistake of buying small utensils or small cookware considering that you are a bachelor or that you are just married and it's only the two of you.  There will be additions to your family and do remember that in the future you will cook for guests as well. So, when time passes by and you realize your requirements, all the tiny pots and pans are sure to pile up behind your cabinet. Why let that happen??

Well, now that you have a rough idea, refer to the following list that would give you a basic idea on the bare minimum initial requirements for regular use in your kitchen. You can minus the ones you can do without.

Basic essentials for beginners:

1.  A Serrated knife

Uses:

1) Helps cut thick skinned vegetables or fruits.

2) Is handy with peeling vegetables like onion or garlic.

3) Helps cut tender fruits or veggies like very ripe tomatoes, bananas, peaches etc without mashing them.

4) Helps neatly slice fruit cakes or any tender cakes.

5) Helps give a clean cut to hard crusted loafs or hard toasts.

6) Helps neatly cut steaks.

2.  An 8" and 10" Chef's knife, or either one initially

Uses:

1) Helps slice, chop, mince, crush and cut.

2) Cuts through meats as well and through small bones of fish and chicken.

3.  Silicon spatula, straight spatula, whisk, basting brush

One of my best friends in the kitchen. If you have invested on some non-stick cookware, then always use a silicon spoon to sauté.  Your pans will remain in shape for longer. Do not substitute with wooden or melamine spoons. Won't serve the purpose.

4.  Stainless steel sieves

For me, this a multipurpose kitchen tool and I simply love it. I use it to sift flour or coco, as a colander to strain noodles, pasta, legumes even rice,  as a coconut milk extractor, purée extractor, to strain hot oil, to strain water from food, as a steamer etc etc.

5.  Metal measuring cups and spoons.

A very handy tool in your kitchen, especially if you are very new to cooking or you follow exact recipes for your cooking. Also a must when it comes to baking.

Other measuring cups/scales that will come handy.

Check list of other basic items :

6.	Vegetable peeler
7.	Scissors
8.	Steel tongs
9.	Steel whisk
10.	Can opener
11.	Serving spoons
12.	Steel ladle
13.	Slightly angled wooden spatula
14.	Tea strainer
15.	Food processor
16.	Mixer

Cooking Utensils :

17.	Heavy bottom, cast aluminium, non-stick 24cm Oven safe, Stock pot with glass lid. Will serve as a pot, skillet, cake pan, baking pan as well as a roasting pan.
18.	A medium non-stick frying pan
19.	A heavy bottom non-stick wok This is my favourite cooking utensil. From stir fries to soups or deep frying or curry making etc. I make everything in this shallow sauté pan. The larger the better.  You can even omit a steel shallow pot or any simpler pans or pots if you have this one wok.
20.	Sauce pans in 3 sizes, Large, Medium and Small all with lids. Use this pot to cook rice, boil vegetables, or make a small batch of soup.
21.	A non-stick tawa.
22.	Rolling pin
23.	Wooden cutting board. If properly used and maintained, it's the best cutting board. I personally do not like the plastic ones. Somehow I feel it unhygienic and unhealthy. I have a large one for cutting vegetables, a small one for cutting fruits and chopping nuts and a long one for cutting meat or fish.
24.	Stainless steel mixing bowl

25.	Tableware  Plates/Bowls/Casseroles/Teacups/Glass/Cutlery/ Salt & Pepper shaker/Water Jug

Checklist of not so important, Optional items :

1.	Mortar and pestle
2.	Idili maker
3.	Indian Spice dubba
4.	Traditional Clay curry pot
5.	Pressure cooker
6.	Stainless steel mug
7.	Lemon squeezer
8.	Grater
9.	Kettle

That's all I can really think of now.. Just in case you realize something important that I may have omitted out, please let me know by leaving a comment below. Your feedback would be great! :)

Basic Curing Techniques & Care Tips for Traditional Earthen Pots

Cooking food in clay pots is part of many cultures worldwide. In Kerala, where I come from, it is a very common practice even in modern homes and almost every Malayalee household, be it vegetarians or non-vegetarians, to own at least one of these. It is generally called 'manchatti' or 'currychatti' and it comes in various shapes and sizes. One of the oldest methods of cooking, and the people of Kerala believe, nothing beats the flavour of food cooked in an earthen pot. :) Traditional vegetarian curries, most of which are part of the kerala sadhya, to fish curries and even various preparations of different meats are prepared in these pots. Some regions even make appams, kaipathiri and other breads in these chatties.

Well, these earthen pots require being cured or seasoned, before it is initially cooked in. The Mantra is - The older the pot, the better it gets. :)

Basic curing techniques for a traditional manchatti :

1.      Seasoning is done to conceal minute holes or cracks inside the pot.
 
2.      Submerge and soak a brand new clay pot (manchatti) in clean water for five to six hours. Then, scrub it and give a thorough rinse to remove any dust or dry residues. Never use any sort of soaps or detergents at this stage.
 
3.      Once the pot dries, pour in some kanjivellam (the left over water from cooked rice) to fill upto 90% of the pot. Place that on a low flame until the liquid heats up. Slowly increase the flame to medium until the liquid comes to a boil. Then, reduce the flame and allow the liquid to reduce to almost 50%. That should take, something around half an hour. Traditionally this is done on a viragu aduppu (a traditional log stove) as shown below. But, no harm in doing it on gas stoves as well.

4.      Once the liquid reduces to 50%, close the pot with a lid and let aside to cool. In some regions the pot is left to rest overnight. Then, pour out the liquid and rinse the inside thoroughly with clean water. Turn it upside-down until water drains completely and then allow it to air-dry.
 
5.      Then, fill the pot with some water and bring to a simmer on low heat. Increase the flame and bring the water to a complete boil. Allow it to cool and throw away the water and give a thorough scrub and rinse. Allow to dry completely and then glaze the inside with some coconut oil and leave it for a day or two. 
 

Now, your new earthen pot is all ready to be cooked in :)

Basic care tips for a traditional manchatti : 

 
1.      Before every use, make sure you thoroughly rinse the pot and allow the water drain.
 
2.      Sudden temperature changes will cause the pot to crack. Therefore, always start heating a moist pot on low heat and then slowly increase the temperature as required. Similarly, never pour cold water to a hot pot.
 
3.      Never place a hot pot on cold or moist surface. Make sure to rest it on the stove top itself, until the pot cools or rest it on any clothed surface. 

Hope this post was an informative read. :) Have a great day.. :) 

 

Right way to thaw butter

Croissant Toast

Easy to make baked snack for kids

My version

                

Kids no doubt love snacks, much more than regular meals in fact. Well, I hesitate to claim a recipe to be 'the best', especially when made for little ones, since most of them are picky eaters.. Well, when I hear the word SNACKS, it's my niece I remember. She's one of those, who is subjective to tastes. She relishes good food, loves watching cookery shows, keenly observes when someone is cooking, examines ingredients, and tries her hand on simple age appropriate preparations already. She makes her own sandwiches, salads and lemonade. :) Well, I too began trying my hands on basic cooking, at around her age.. :) That makes me a proud aunt! I have someone from my blood following my footsteps.. :D

My nephew posing behind her, is another one of those particularly subjective to tastes and a ruthless critique who is very honest in giving an opinion if asked. I sometimes make cakes and puddings for them, and on a birthday, he gifted me a set of cupcake cups which he chose all on his own, saying he knew I'd love it for sure.. :) Now, those are moments that bring tears of contentment.. Kids at such a young age, being thoughtful enough in giving someone a gift!! That's definitely not typical of a boy!! Thaaat love, that kids wrap you with...... Sigh!! Those are feelings difficult to explain in mere words.. :)

Let's get started.. Trust me, it's an amazingly easy snack, if you have croissants of course.. ;)

Ingredients :
Plain butter croissants	-		4 large sized
Fresh Eggs	-		3 nos.
Sugar	-		2 - 3 tablespoons
Vanilla essence	-		1/2 - 1 teaspoon
Fresh Milk	-		2 tablespoons
Butter	-		To grease the baking dish
Preparation Method :

Cut the croissants into half. Do not forget to pre-heat your oven at this stage to 180 degree centigrade.

In a flat bowl, break in the eggs, add the vanilla and sugar. The quantity of sugar depends on the sweetness you prefer.

Pour in the fresh milk and give a quick whisk.

  

Butter the pan. Make sure the flame is on low. Now give each side of the croissant a quick dip in the beaten egg mixture and place them on the pan one by one.

Once you have finished placing all the pieces, increase the flame to medium. When egg on the sides look almost done, turn it over. You needn't cook it completely.

Arrange the pieces onto a flat oven dish.

Pour in the remaining egg mixture over the croissants. Then, sprinkle on some sugar. Do all this quickly without letting the croissants cool.

Place it into the oven. As always, I'd recommend baking in the oven and not in the microwave. If you are baking it in the oven, bake for 5-6 minutes. So, a microwave shouldn't take more than 3-4 minutes I suppose. Make sure you don't burn the top. Mine went a little too brown :/ Oops! :) But, see.. it happens :) hi hi.. Use your instincts for the timing.. All we want is the eggs to cook well. Once done, the surface should be mildly crisp, and the inside soft and fluffy.

I hope your kids will enjoy this.. Let me know how it came out for you, and whether your kids liked it. Don't forget to send in a picture.. :)

New Yeast, Better Results

Shower Curtain - Care & Maintenance

Simple Care & Maintenance Tips for an Ever-fresh Shower Curtain :

1. Rinse the inside of the curtain with water after every shower to get rid of accumulated soap residues or dirt. 

2. Always leave the shower curtain pulled, having no folds, to allow quick and easy drying.

3. Never leave them pulled off to one side of the rod. The folds of the curtain will trap moisture or water, leading to the growth of mould and mildew. Doing so would also lead to developing unpleasant odour.

4. After every shower, either leave the windows open or exhaust on for a while. Proper ventilation helps the curtain dry faster.

5. Make sure you wash the shower curtain once or twice a month using detergent. But, before doing so, read the wash  instruction label on the curtain or packing carefully.

6. Adding a little fabric softener at the end of every wash will help maintain freshness.

7. Fabric  Shower Curtains are the best for easier care, drying and washing. 

Hope this has been a helpful read. If you feel something important has been left out, kindly add that on in the comment bar below. :)