Basic Kitchen Gear

Here are five essential tools that every man needs in his kitchen to get started on the way to culinary fame.

The Knife. Get yourself a really good knife; a basic solid chef’s knife made of high carbon or vanadium steel, which will last forever and is easy to keep sharp. Like cars, the German ones are nice but expensive, while the Japanese make ones that are just as good but slightly cheaper. This is the tool you will use most often – from slicing peppers to chopping parsley to filleting fish, so spend the time to find a knife you like.

Tongs. From turning meat on a barbecue or in a pan, to lifting pasta and flipping bacon, this is a cheap but really handy chef’s tool. You want one that is heavy duty and shorter in length. When you are searing your pork tenderloin and flipping it with your tongs, you’ll look like a pro. And looks are half the battle.

Roasting pan. Great for browning meat on the stovetop or roasting a bird in the oven, it is the one cooking implement that makes food look great when you are cooking it. A 16-inch, heavy-duty stainless steel one with a removable rack will do you for most jobs.

Mandoline. While it looks like something from K-Tel that “will ensure perfect sliced carrots every time,” this gadget is a godsend for the lazy chef. If you need something julienned and haven’t bothered to learn the French Technique then this is the tool for you. Unless you want to shave off the tip of your finger, it demands some attention when using, but it will make your veggies look like you spent hours cutting them perfectly.

Hand blender. The hand-held blender is the best way to make smooth soup or whip up some cream. They are super easy to maintain and don’t require dragging out a huge blender and then spending four hours cleaning it afterward. They come in some pretty slinky stainless steel designs and satisfy man’s inner desire for power tools.