What's in Your Kitchen?

I can tell you what's in mine...better yet I can tell you what's NOT in my kitchen! What's not in my kitchen is anything that has to do with baking or making desserts, except for maybe 2 round cake pans, 1 springform pan...I think that's it. Sure I have a double boiler (melting chocolate), and I have a hand mixer (but I can't tell you the last time I used it!), and other stuff that can be used in other kinds of food prep. Not only did I get rid of 99% of my baking equipment I don't even keep flour in the house. If I need flour I buy the amount I need, that way I'm never tempted to make a batch of cookies or a cake of any kind.

A few years ago I gave a ton of kitchen equipment, kitchen utensils, and gadgets, etc to my niece Dana, including a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, a brand new (still in the box) waffle maker, cake pans, madeline molds, pie plates, cake stands and decorating turn table, mini muffin tins, cookie cutters, piping bags, oh goodness, I can't even remember all the stuff I gave her.

I had way too much stuff in my kitchen that I didn't need and it was time to clean house. I used to work in a gourmet kitchen store so you can imagine the merchandise I accumulated. I've since gone through my cabinets and cupboards at least 2 more times and I thought I had edited much of my hoard, but here I am again ready to reduce my inventory by at least half.

Although I have every size pot and pan All Clad sells I only use 2 regularly, and maybe another 2-3 enough to keep them around. ( 6 qt and 3 qt saute pan, 3 qt and 4 qt sauce pan, and a 5qt. dutch oven). Do you know how heavy those pots are? When I want to make a pot of oatmeal I pull out an old 3 qt Reverware that's as light as a feather. I also use it to soak beans (which are soaking right now!) I own 3 pressure cookers that have prime real estate within arms reach and those are what I use at least 90% of my cooking time. A couple of roasting pans and I'm good to go.

As far as utensils and gadgets most often used are my tongs, those I have three sets. I have a favorite strainer, a small strainer for lemon juice, and ton of measuring spoons I use everyday....measuring cups of course....I measure alot! In fact this post is a prelude to what I bought today that will quickly join my list of most used utensils....(more to come) Oh, a whisk! Gotta have a good whisk! My favorite is made by Rosle. I use cheap $5.95 knives for chopping. slicing, dicing even boning meat and I just replace then every 2-3 months as they get too dull to sharpen. Metal mixing bowls that I even eat my salads out of! And speaking of salads, I do own quite a few vegetable shredders.

I have utensils that help when I roast a turkey, because I roast alot of turkeys....a lifter, a baster, a rack, etc. I have a shrimp deveiner. I rarely use my microplane for grating cheese, but as a zester it's awesome. Recently I pulled out my lemon/lime press....lovin' it!

A blender, a food processor, a food mill, an immersion blender, a ricer (the only time I use it is at Thanksgiving for mashed potates, but worth keeping), and yes I do have and use everyday my microwave.....no toaster though. The ice cream maker will stay. And the coffee maker is a no brainer.

I can easily get rid of half of the things in my already small kitchen and still make amazingly delicious foods. I think I'll clean out the pantry too! All three shelves!

What's in your pantry? I can tell you what's NOT in mine! (next time)

PS We also own a nonstick omelet pan and spatula for Marks daily meal of a veg/egg stir fry. But he's the one that cooks it everyday, I never use it. And every year I swear I'm going to buy an outside grill....this year? I'm so close.....