[loveajax]

I am, to put it mildly, "domestically challenged."

But I have started WW and have started making some dishes and I am having a blast.

My problem? I don't have great kitchen "aides," pans, tools, etc.

I am obsessed with those KitchenMaid (?) giant mixers. What the heck do you do with them? If you have one, what do you use it for?

Food processors? Do you use it a lot? I find myself seeing these recipes and getting "shy" because I don't have one.

I'd like to get a little more adventurous beyond grilled steak and Birdseye frozen vegetables!!

What are some things you "can't" live without? TIA.

Julia Child

[SamIAm2]

I have a Kitchenaid stand mixer and I know some people who LOVE theirs, but I honestly never use it....but it looks so pretty sitting on my kitchen counter Hmmm...let's see, things I can't live without are a good set of kitchen knives, a good blender, and good cooking utensils. Oh, and some really good cook books or recipes

[Sohmakun]

I can' live with my chef knife. It was about 100 dollars for one knife but its very quality.

[Sohmakun]

You don' need a food processor because you can use a knife to chop most vegtables - it just takes longer

mixers are usually for making lots of bread dough and cakes. Its not really neccesary either but very handy

[Stormster]

I only started cooking about a year ago but my kitchen is in fairly good shape. The things I use most are:

Spatula for flipping/serving
Rice Maker/Steamer (love that thing)
Slow Cooker/Crock Pot
Large heavy skillet (with straight sides so you can simmer, saute or fry in it)
Wooden spoons
Great set of tupperware
Good knives (I love love love Cutco knives!) and I have that magnet thing on the wall so they don't go in drawers and are safe from little hands.
Big plastic measuring cup for liquids
Metal measuring cups for solids
Oh and I would say my number one thing is probably my covered casserole dish that is microwave safe. I use that for everything....needs to be small enough for microwave though.

Good luck....I have some pretty good dishes I've gotten kind of ok at making so let me know when you're ready!

[MamaS]

Rice cooker/steamer (never fails to cook perfect rice)
Crockpot aka Slow cooker (put it on before bed and wake up to the smell of stew, soup, etc.)
portable mixer
inexpensive food chopper/blender (got it at Target)
Sturdy long-handled wooden spoon

[loveajax]

Aha!! Thanks. I think I can wait on the mixer!! I will invest in a blender, though!

I agree about the knives....That was the best wedding present I got....I think they are Henckels? and they are still great 10 years later!

Storm, is the covered casserole dish a "dutch oven." I keep seeing recipes that call for that and I have no idea!!

Mama, you use your rice cooker a lot? Does it do brown rice (i can sort of only have brown rice on WW...and brown rice always comes out terrible!).

Sam, Natalie's picture reminds me soooooo much of my DD. I am going to have to get your email in PM and send you a picture! She is gorgeous (of course)!

Thanks for all the responses. I was thinking of going to Linens and Things (see "My Kids are Spoiled" thread...!) and I would like to buy some good and practical kitchen thing-ies!!

ETA: I do love my CrockPot (especially when it gets cold...I need to make some good stews!).

[CaddoRose]

I will admit that I am a Betty Crocker, but I love my Kitchen Aid. My DH got it for me as a gift. I bake a lot, so it gets used every week.

I also have a really good set of pans by Emeril. They are copper bottom and cook very evenly. here's link to what I have.

Amazon.com: Emerilware Stainless Steel 10 Piece Cookware Set: Kitchen & Dining

These pans are the sizes that would cover anything you might want to cook. There are plenty of other makers of these kinds of pans, so it is not necessary to spend this much money. We happened to find ours for $120.00 or other wise I probably wouldn't have it.

I don't use a food processor because I like to chop my veggies and by the time I would use the processor and get it cleaned I could have chopped my veggies. I do recommend a good thick chopping board about 16x 24 or so. Big enough to have room to chop without it all falling off the sides.

You need a really good knife for chopping and one for dicing small stuff. I have these which again are expensive, but it's the sizes you're looking for, not this exact brand. Good knives stay sharp. Cheap knives will dull quickly and you'll hate using them. They should be sharp enough to slice a tomato easily.

Amazon.com: Pure Komachi by Kai 4-Piece Stainless-Steel Knife Set: Kitchen & Dining

I use my crockpot/slow cooker every week. Put something in it in the morning and not have to worry with it all day. Dinner is ready later.

Other little stuff you need are measuring cups, measuring spoons, a strainer or colander. A stainless mixing bowl which is so useful for mixing and sifting, or holding foods.

You can get a set of baking pans this time of year that are usually under $10.

Cookbooks:

The Good Housekeeping Illustrated cookbook: Shows you how to do things that other books don't. I love this book. explains hwo to do things and why.Simple and easy to understand. Less than $3 used on Amazon. This and my 1950's Betty Crocker are the two that never get put back on the shelf. I use them all the time.

[SamIAm2]

How did I forget Crock Pot....I use mine at least once a week, usually more.

Loveajax, I tried to PM you but it says your box is full

[Stormster]

Not it's just a simple round (ceramic i guess?) Deep dish with a cover.

Great for heating up leftover stews, chile, soups etc. or for heating frozen veg!

[KIC1975]

I love, love, love my Kitchenaid mixer! Couldn't live without it. I do bake some, so yes I use it. Cakes come out heavenly when you beat them in the Kitchenaid. But I also do my mashed potatoes (they whip up really nicely - no potato glue there!), meatloaf, any blended veggies (I do a butternut squash lasagna that I use my Kitchenaid for).

I don't own a hand mixer. I find that my Kitchenaid does everything my hand mixer did, only better.

It is indispensable for baking. Not just cakes, but whipped cream (of course!), frosting, bread...anything that needs mixing/beating. I've even been known to cut my shortening/butter into the flour when I make pie crust (though I do mix my water in by hand).

It's wonderful. Plus you can get attachments for making pasta, grinding meat, etc...

Along with my Kitchenaid, I use my blender (no matter how wonderful my Kitchenaid is, it just can't make a good daquari ), a good colander and a good set of pots/pans. I have Scanpan which I love and they have a lifetime warranty. I've replaced a few and they are super good about just sending me a new one - even when my MIL burned the pan! Scanpan Cookware, Free Shipping on Scanpan Titanium nonstick cookware

Good luck with all the cooking! I recently got a cookbook by Cat Cora that is wonderful and really straightforward. Amazon.com: Cooking From the Hip: Fast, Easy, Phenomenal Meals: Cat Cora, Ann Krueger Spivack: Books Though, I admit, she doesn't cook low/no fat. Some of the recipes are better than others, but it's not WW.

Hope this helps.
-Kristin

[loveajax]

Oh, I think I have one of those, Storm!

Caddo, awesome, awesome. I am really "due" for a whole new set of pots and pans. I got a farberware set for my wedding, but i don't love 'em. And that cookbook you recommend is my SIL's favorite....I definitely will get it...I need simple and good explanations!!

[loveajax]

sam, i pm'ed you!

[binkybear]

I LOVE to cook and bake and read cookbooks for fun.
Early on I was obsessed with kitchen gadgets. I've bought and then rehomed quite a few over the years. If they made it I had it.

If there's a do dad, machine or cookware you're looking at chances are I've used it...from electric pasta machines to the hand crank models, bread machines, crock pots in all sizes, choppers both manual and electric, mixers of all sizes. I was the queen of kitchen sales... williams sonoma should still be sending me a fruit basket each year as a simple thank you

I have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer and use it mainly for holiday cooking now. I've had the same Kitchen Aid hand mixer for 12+ years and use it much more than the stand mixer. Food processors...I've got the standard and a mini, the mini is all I really use for baking and cooking. It's quick and easy to use and clean. I'll use my knives over any food processor but the mini does come in handy. Something I use a ton is my FoodSaver. It's great for marinating, freezing portions & leftovers, and if you're cooking special stuff for WW it's a great thing to have to help it all last longer in the fridge.
I love all gadgets by Good Grips, they last forever (like their veggie peeler).

For pans and cookware Pyrex glass is always a good basic, corningware is a great standard. I found Corningware Creations for a good deal at Kohls ..cute set of round red stoneware. I have a full set of Calphalon that hub got me 8-9 years ago for Christmas, it's NOT nonstick. I don't like the coatings. The one pot I use most though is a Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven, 4 1/2-Qt I found at Marshalls for half the retail price (it's pricey stuff regularly). I use that one pot for a ton.

I have a crock pot I use all the time and another I can't do without is my pressure cooker. I live on homemade soups, stews and chili in the winter, so those 2 are a must for me. Oh, and I'd get myself at least 2 really good cutting boards. One just for meats and one just for fruits and veggies. I personally prefer wood for the friuts and veggies. It's more work to care for it, but I just like the feel so much more. Meats are better on those newer plastic boards, for food safety and all.
Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

[loveajax]

Binky, do you want to come live with me and cook and bake away?? haha.

I actually know exactly what you are talking about re: the great pot at Marshalls.....I am going to check out the clearance section (I'm amazed at how sometimes the home stuff gets marked down so cheap). I don't have a hand mixer even...maybe that's the start I need before I invest in a massive mixer! And I like the foodsaver idea...how much are they? I want to start making batches of stuff and freezing for lunches, etc.

You guys are all so helpful....Oh, and I LOVE reading recipes now. I just don't want to be "scared" to try!!!