Cooking With A Dutch Oven

For long & slow cooked dishes such as stews, roasts and casseroles, Dutch ovens are a sure choice. At the core, there are two types of Dutch ovens –

1. used at the campfires, and
2. used over traditional stoves or ovens.

Camping Dutch Ovens

It consists of:
1. three legs,
2. wire handle, and
3. slightly convex lid.

Its lid allows coal to rest on top as well as the bottom uniformly, so as to heat it like an oven. Campfire Dutch ovens are made of aluminum or cast iron. These ovens can perfectly bake breads, biscuits, pies, cakes and pizzas. Its containers can also be stacked for 5 or 6 high.

Stove Top Ovens

Stove top oven is flat on the bottom and has two handles. These are made of enameled or bare cast iron, ceramic or aluminum.

Regulating Temperature in a Dutch Oven

It could be quite challenging to regulate the temperature in Dutch ovens, more often with the camping ones. Here are a few tips and tricks to go about it more easily:
  1. As a general rule, the oven must be maintained at a temperature of around three hundred fifty degrees Celsius.
  2. In order to estimate the temperature, measure the size of oven in terms of inches. Then double the size to calculate the required number of briquettes.
  3. Briquettes need to be placed in a circle, not less than half an inch from the oven's bottom.
  4. Briquettes on the top of the oven must be placed in a checkerboard style.
  5. Beware, that even while heating, briquettes can be further added, but once the food is burnt, it is burnt.
Special Tips


1. For Soups and stews
For stews & soups, on the top arrange one third of the briquettes and at the bottom two thirds.

2. For Breads, Cakes & Biscuits
In order to bake biscuits, breads and cakes keep two third of the briquettes on the top and one third on bottom.

3. For Meats & Casseroles
For casseroles and meats evenly split the briquettes on the top and bottom of the oven.

Tools used with Dutch Ovens

You would need varied tools while using Dutch ovens. These are as follows:

1. Wooden Spoons
While metal utensils could scratch the protective coating, plastic would melt away due to heat. So, wooden spoons are the best & probably the only choice.

2. Camp or Welders Gloves
It makes the work easier for the individual.

3. Charcoal Starters
These help you light up the fire easily as then you do not need lighter fluid - just a match and newspapers.

4. Long Handled Tongs
These enable you to move the briquettes rather safely and easily.

5. Lifters or Hooks
These make handling and lifting the lid easier.

6. Lid Stands
These are handy to be placed on lids while the individuals stir the food.

7. Whisk Broom
It keeps the ashes away from food.
8. Cooking Table
It allows the Dutch oven to be off the ground.

9. Dust Cover
It protects the Dutch ovens when they not in use.

Learn To Cook Italian Food On Vacation

Gone are the days when vacations were just about site seeing & relaxing. As times are changing, vacationers are now shifting to an interesting trend - Seeking Cooking classes for the Italian cuisines at mainland Italy. While this trend is also springing up in other parts of the world, Italy seems to be the hub.

Earlier tourists carried away souvenirs back home as a piece of memory, but now they preferable carry home a talent for life. Until today people were satisfied with enjoying the authentic Italian food within Italy to mark their vacations as special but now, they like to carry with them this fresh food back home.

Next time you plan your vacations, try it in a new modified style.

For this reach up to the front desk or concierge of the resort or hotel you are staying in and request them that you wish to learn some Italian cooking. Some times they would guide you towards the near by cooking classes.

In case you are lucky enough, you could fetch some sessions in your resort itself. Following the upcoming culture, several resorts & hotels in Italy now-a-days offer Italian cooking classes exclusively for their guests.

Do not feel surprised to know that the travel agencies also offer exclusive vacation packages that chiefly revolve around learning Italian cooking. In such cases you move around the country covering every key city and regions. In every place, you stop over to take the cooking lessons. Training is delivered from the ones who know it the best - rather than the American teachers or tour guides; it is the locals who teach the inquisitive tourists.

Interestingly, almost all resorts deliver such classes these days but do not advertise the same. This is because more oft they are conducted very professionally on a one to one basis. Hence, there is scope to accommodate very few learners. That required number of learners the resort gets quite easily simply with the word of mouth.

As we all know, almost all the resorts have their own world-class Italian food restaurants. Try complimenting a dish while having food. You would be glad to know that the resorts love to entertain their guests' curiosity by teaching them the recipe to cook the dish within their kitchen. Won't it be a 'wow' experience to learn cooking in a leading resort's kitchen!

Now, in case you have never tried entering the kitchen or so to say that you have absolutely no clue about cooking, do not get nervous. Because these classes are meant for all - cooks and 'non-cooks.' Next if you think that because you have never tried Italian cooking, it would be a tough job for you - think again! As these classes are structured in such a way that they are beneficial in all situations!

Also one must remember that the one on one format is the most flexible of learning. So, do not miss this rare opportunity and expand your knowledge. Learn how to cook Italian food from the actual Italian chefs and when you reach back home surprise your friends & family with your newly nurtured culinary skills.

The ones who are profound with the basics can opt for the advanced or intermediate levels. Though a majority of these classes are held for the beginners, this option is also not closed. 

More oft the chefs focus on simple yet classy dishes. At times some dishes seem to be very complicated but amazingly they are easier to be prepared. The understand that after all you are there to enjoy and just learn some dishes to impress your social circle, rather than stressing yourself too much. So they would pick out the most fancy and the simplest items to teach you, so that the learner doesn't get frustrated or looses his patience. They would always suggest you dishes with that 'wow' factor.

Alas, in your next vacation plan a trip to Italy and gather back a souvenir for life - a learning for life to taste yours and your family's taste buds.

Mardi Gras Cooking Cajun Style

Happiness is like a virus, you would never come to know when it gets spread and your smile is seen in some one else's eyes. The event of Mardi Gras is all about spreading that festive smile. While it is considered a special time span of the year down at Cajun Country, you can bring this festivity home quite easily.

Even if you do not reside in New Orleans, celebrating a festival only requires the right spirit. And in case of the Mardi Gras - the right ingredients. Yes, the essence of this celebration is the food, because Cajun cooking is known all across the world and this festival is all about touching the roots, the traditions and getting back some real Cajun cooking.

Now, to indeed spell the feel of Mardi Gras, plan a grand old meal fitting for King Rex. New Orleans city is known for their party moods and that's where you hit the jackpot. So, now note down the key ingredients - spices and rice.

Actually, people always have a hard time locating the real ingredients required for Cajun recipes. In case you meet a similar kind of problem, remember two key features of this style:

1. Cajun food is very spicy, so has quite many hot sauces in the meal.
2. It consists of a lot of rice.

The reason behind is the same - the social structure in those days. In the olden days when the society was primarily divided in to the main sections like very poor, average and the rich, the riches had the food that the poor ones couldn't even imagine. Those people used a lot of rice. Rice is indispensable in all sorts of dishes ranging from gumbo to red beans. The other variations depend upon the cost and culture. Creole is considered a rather richer choice.

In order to add some taste to this bland food, the poor in olden days used excess of spices. The modern day restaurants that serve Cajun food often tone down the spices to the colloquial tastes. Yet, till date expect the Cajun dishes to be a bit more heated up than the rest. The Cajun natives naturally then can handle the heat in the food quite well. For this they also have ample quantities of iced tea. The restaurants have iced flowing through the taps to help combat those tiny dishes when they get a bit too hot.

Some known Cajun favorites are listed below:

1. Po boys or Muffalettas

For those who want to go in for some lighter choices the sure names are po boys or muffalettas. Po boys are sandwiches that are some what deceiving in their appearance. These are anyways very filling meals. So as to prepare perfect po boys, one must look out for the perfect bread. Look for it anywhere outside Crescent City. This bread has some unique 'chewiness' that is a part of the real flavor of po boy. It cannot be imitated elsewhere. I've been all around the country and I'm sure of this fact.

2. French Fries

These continue be a part of the all time favorites for the Cajun countries.

3. Fried Sweet Potatoes

Down south, people like to fry almost everything. The recipe of fried sweet potatoes is pretty different and interesting. Its sweetness counteracts the spices of other Cajun favorites. 

4. Chicory Coffee

A perfect finish to the Cajun meal is chicory coffee. In case the local coffee shop does not solvethe purpose, try surfing through the website of Café du Monde. Just like its known about spices and rice, it is believed that chicory was blended in coffee and was often used as a replacement for coffee being its cheaper substitute. Though today one could go ahead with real coffee and amere hint of chicory, chicory is rather unique in flavor. For a large segment of people chicory is synonymous for the city all together.

These recipes can easily be located through internet within a click' time. So, all the best for planning your Mardi Gras cooking. Whether you are located in the New Orleans or elsewhere! 

Mother's Day Cooking Made Easy

Remember the last Mother's Day when Dad did the barbeque. It must have been fun. But then, at the end of the celebration your Mom smiled, thanked everybody and got busy cleaning the mess! Her special day went in veins doing all that extra cleaning job and adding to her toil!

Father's often love to put up the barbeque to help a day's meal; and Mom's, though they appreciate it, are made to do loads of extra work in place of the promised relaxation. Some families, who are smart enough to foresee the problem, move out to the nearby restaurant and waste hours together in waiting.

Gourmet cooking stores read through the problem and have come up with quite interesting solutions.

These stores allow guests to join in like a family and prepare the meals for their family using all fresh ingredients. They are given explicit instructions and are allowed close examination. Hence, you are able to prepare a nutritious & delicious meal for the family. You can carry it back home and freeze it. While serving, just heat it in the oven and serve it fresh and fragrant. It can also be packed in various sizes to suit one's individual needs. The dishes you can prepare enlist a good long variety, to name a few:

i. Coconut Shrimp
ii. Caribbean Pork Roast
iii. Pasta Dishes

This sort of arrangement calls for some prior planning, but once you are determined to do it, it shall certainly be a boon for the family during the special occasions. Such as the Mother's Day - it shall extremely lessen her cleaning job within no cooking utensils. Also while cooking she does not have to rush fetching things from all around the kitchen and gathering the ingredients.

Yet, if you want to become a hero still, after the gourmet cooked meal, try pitching in with all the family and clean up the mess after the meal. Let your Mom sit back and relax, and indeed enjoy the big day.

Gourmet cooking might not be as inexpensive. Still as compared to the six servings at your choicest restaurant (until & unless it's McDonald's) this would be far easier. Above all, it would give your mother a feel of your thoughtfulness, love and affection. Also, cooking at the gourmet store with your brother and father who are almost kitchen impaired could be great fun and collect some moments to remember for ever.

There are several gourmet cooking stores with varied names. Find one near your place. For this simply, punch in the keywords - Meal Preparation Centers - on the search engines on internet. And what next, plan a grand meal for all special family occasions like Father's Day, Mother's Day or other holidays or birthdays. These meals are surely a good idea for the nights when you want to just laze around and remain hassle-free.

Once A Month Cooking Recipes

Do you find it hard to scratch out time for kitchen along with work? Do you wish to have a magic wand to serve ready dinner as soon as you reach home? Does planning the meal daily give you goose bumps?

Well, in case you are nodding in affirmation to any of the above statements - your magic wand is - once a month cooking recipes.

These are recipes that you can cook just once a month. Further they can be frozen to preserve. In order to serve the same, just heat it in the oven. Impress your guests with home cooked meals, serve your children with good home dishes and pack the lunchbox or picnic baskets whenever needed within a few minutes.

The married couples where both the partners are working and the single parents rushing to their work schedule early morning always worry about how to serve wholesome nutritious food with home cooked dishes. Once a month cooking style is a real bliss for such officials. Get rid of the daily & weekly tensions to plan the preparations for dinner and scratch out extra time every night to cook a new dish.

Time savers and life savers, that is what such couples term the once a month preparations as.

Further, this method of cooking also manages your household budget well. Buying a bulk often fetches you good discounts. Also these purchases would be far more planned than the daily clumsiness; hence you would land up saving much more money than expected.

These recipes also add a lot of variety to your meals, as with the right planning you can prepare many enjoyable dishes and can have them any time at your own convenience and choice.

Now, are you ready to search for these life saving recipes? Then just move on to the World Wide Web or the internet and you shall come across some wonderful once a month preparations that too all free of cost!

Interestingly, there are many people who willingly share their ideas & experiences with the others to help make their lives easier and far more manageable.

For the ones who are kitchen impaired, this might sound tough, but it is surely not a concern once make a little effort to learn these recipes with some patience!

Secrets Of Outdoor Cooking Recipes

Outdoor cooking is an activity that can be taken up on all occasions. Family reunions, dinners, weekends, get togethers you name it and it just fits in! A romantic dinner with your spouse with a barbecue sounds just so nostalgic! All the food lovers love to do this activity with the family & friends and keep experimenting new recipes very time.

These simple and quick recipes turn out in great meals is handled with little care. The idea is to prepare good, economical, delicious and light weight meal within no time.

We all must have had hotdogs, hamburgers and chicken in the barbecues. Here are some new and fresh ideas to tickle your taste buds in the next barbecue session.
  1. Grilling is the most popular way of cooking outdoors. Creatively grilling fish, chicken, lamb chops, steak and vegetables can make lovely meals.
  2. The key is - season the grilled items well.
  3. Plan easy and tasteful menu to serve to your guests. This would make your job simpler as the cook. And as is often said, the cook's mood always reflects in the food. 
  4. Make use of the right cooking equipments like deep fry kits, cooking grills, & cast iron griddles in order to make your recipes more effective. This would also simplify your job of cooking. 
  5. Among grilled dishes Souvlaki Mosharisio is a known beef dish. 
  6. Souvlaki Hoirino is another cherished pork dish. 
  7. Mixed Grilled Souvlaki contains lamb, chicken and pork. It is prepared with in a very short duration with the outdoor cooking grill. 
  8. Among spicy and crispy choices, try beer-battered chicken strips, fried butter milk chicken, simple southern fried chicken, fried pork chops. These can easily be prepared with a deep frying kit. 
  9. Outdoor cooking recipes also include pie iron and foil recipes. These are served with desserts, salads, soups and stews. 
  10. The outdoor cooking recipes constitute all sorts of light and heavy meals. Baked potatoes & kebabs are often the hot choices. 
  11. For the kids, the most incredible recipes are meatball sandwiches, hot sandwiches, peanut butter fudge sandwiches, and the list is endless. 
  12. Good barbecue meals can indeed gift great casual evenings for all your friends & family. 
  13. Test your creativity. Try innovative and new recipes to surprise your guests. 
  14. Presentation of the food makes a lot of difference. So after cooking well, make sure to set the right mood and serve in an impressive manner.

How To Find The Best Deals

Comparison shopping is just one method for finding the best deals. However, this type of shopping pretty much only takes into account the everyday price of an item. Some places have lower prices than others. However, comparison shopping does not take into account the special situations that may arise such as discount sales or clearance items.

There is a danger, however, that you may feel compelled to buy something just because it is at a good price, regardless of whether or not you need it. This is something that you need to be careful of. You do not need a new mixer, for example, if your current one functions just fine.

To prevent yourself from spending money that you do not have, return to your inventory list and the list of items that you truly need. If the item that is on sale is on the list of items that you need, then it is okay to buy it. Also be careful that you are not compromising quality by purchasing the items for sale.

Here are some tips to help you find the sales and discounts:

  • See if you can find a coupon for the store you would like to shop at. You can look online or in your local paper or any coupon books you may have. 
  • Look at the sales flyers that you get in the mail and that can be found in the paper. These do a good job at alerting you to any particular discounts. 
  • There are certain stores websites that focus on close-out items that other department stores did not want. The items are still of a good quality, they are just not part of the store’s stock anymore. This means that the closeout stores are able to charge less for the items they sell. 
  • There are certain times of year where clearance sales are common. Find out when these times are and visit the stores at that time to see if you can find any deals on your kitchen equipment.

Finding great deals is an art. When you do find a deal, compare it to the prices you were finding when you were comparison shopping. The deal is truly good if you can find the items for less money than the cheapest of your comparisons.

Final Thoughts on Finding Deals

By now you should have a pretty good idea of what it takes to save money in the kitchen. As you can see, it extends beyond the obvious of buying the cheapest items you can find. In the case of kitchen equipment, the cheapest is not necessarily your best choice because it will cause you to spend more money in the long run.

In summary, here are the basic points for saving money on kitchen equipment:
  • Understand which items are needed in a well-stocked kitchen 
  • Take inventory of the items you already have. 
  • Make a list of any items you need to replace and all of the items that you need to purchase. 
  • The best way to gather information about which items you should buy. 
  • How to avoid the latest friends and save money in the process. 
  • The difference between items that do not cost a lot but are still high quality versus items that are inexpensive because they are made with sub par materials.
  • How to tell when you truly need something and how to avoid wasting your money on purchases you don’t need.
  • Develop the ability to comparison shop and find additional deals through sales, discounts, and coupons.
One last thing is that you may want to set a budget. If you exceed the budget, consider returning those items that are not true necessities.

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Comparison Shopping

Comparison shopping is an essential skill that will help you find the best deals when it comes to purchasing kitchen tools and equipment. You may find that in one store, the price for a set of knives is $10 more than the same set is at another store. Finding these kinds of deals is what comparison shopping is all about.

Here is a list of all the different places you can purchase kitchen equipment and tools.
  • Online stores and auction sites 
  • Classified ads 
  • Yard sales and flea markets 
  • Retail stores

After you research and make a list of the things that you truly need, you will have an idea for exactly what you want. At this point, you are ready to begin the process of comparison shopping.

To make your job easier you may want to have a notebook or a spreadsheet devoted to keeping track of your findings. In fact, this is one of the tricks to effective comparison shopping.

Once you determine your system for keeping track, you can visit stores and search online to find the best deals. Before you make a purchase, you will want to do your initial research by determining the price. By comparison shopping you can easily save money.

While you search online and in the stores, you may want to look for specials and clearance items. You may be able to find coupons and special deals, as well. Also, don’t be afraid to bargain. In some instances, the sales staff may be aloud to bargain with their customers.

Some stores may also have a system where they will match the price of any of their competitors. So, if you like to do business with certain company or store but they don’t have the kinds of prices that you want, you may be able to do business with them after all.

Needing Vs. Wanting

There is a big difference between “needing” something and “wanting” something. We may want the newest gadget because we think it will make our lives easier. However, we probably do not need it. Learning the difference between the two is an important concept that will help save money in the kitchen.

What do you need?

The items that you need will depend on the how often you cook and the type of cooking that you do. If you cook a lot of Asian foods, for example, then you will need a wok to help you prepare them as authentically as possible. However, a wok is an unnecessary item in a kitchen where Asian foods are only prepared occasionally. In this case, a regular frying pan or sauté pan can be used as a substitute.

Think seriously about the following questions: 
  • How often do you cook? 
  • What kind of cooking do you do? 
  • What do you already have?

The answers will help you determine what you actually need and will help you save money.

What do you want?

When it comes to kitchen equipment, it is easy to mistake your “wants” for your “needs”. You do not necessarily need the latest cooking gadget. However, there is nothing wrong with splurging and buying something fun for the kitchen that may not be a necessity, such as a stove top espresso maker or an ice cream machine. 

If your number one goal, however, is to save money, you should not give into these urges. You can still have a well equipped kitchen. There just will not be any unnecessary items.

However, you have to decide if buying the gadget will help you save money in the long run. For example, if you are going out for ice cream constantly, a home ice cream maker will help you save money because you will not be going out for ice cream as often.

Inexpensive Vs. Cheap

There is a big difference between cooking equipment that is inexpensive and equipment that is simply cheap. The market is filled with a variety of different items. Some are professional grade tools that the top chefs use. Others are high end items that are designed for the serious amateur chef. And then there are those things that are inexpensive and designed for people who are concerned about their budget. These inexpensive items may or may not be made with quality in mind.

Cheap equipment is not only low in price, but it is made of shoddy materials. This may translate to a smaller dent to your wallet, but in the long run, it actually costs you money. How many times have you purchased inexpensive pan sets only to realize three months later, that you need to throw it out? You made the mistake of putting price above quality and you ended up spending more money in the long run.

Inexpensive equipment, on the other hand, is not necessarily cheap. There are plenty of manufacturers who create higher quality products for less money. For example, you can find inexpensive frying pans and sauté pans that are sturdy and durable but are also inexpensive. Your goal then is to find these items. For those who are on a budget, finding the inexpensive kitchen tools that are also of a fairly good quality is the goal. Here are some tips:
  • Educate yourself on the difference between items that are of a good quality and those that are not. You can visit a kitchen store and speak to the sales staff, or you can read reviews and information online. Attending cooking demonstrations and classes is also a good way to get information. 
  • Research the companies that have a reputation for making things that are a good quality but that also have reasonable prices. 
  • Test out several products before you make the final purchase. If you are looking to buy a kitchen knife, for example, ask the store if you can hold it and test it out. A good store will let you sample the tools and utensils if that will help you make the purchase.

It is also important to note that not all expensive equipment is of a good quality. With some companies, you are paying for the name and the advertising, not the integrity of the product.

Take Inventory

Once you have an idea of which appliances, pots, pans, and utensils are essential in your kitchen, the next step is to take inventory. Not only do you need to see what you have, but you should also assess the condition it is in.

This step may seem unnecessary at first glance. However, if you take inventory you will potentially save money. This is because a lot of people waste energy purchasing things they may already have. People buy things and then forget about them almost constantly. After going through your things you may realize you don’t need as much as you thought. This means that you will save money. Here are some tips:
  • Make a list of exactly what you have.
  • Compare that to your list to determine what you need.
  • Also determine if any of your items are old and need to be replaced.

If you do those three things, it will give you an idea of exactly what you need to buy.

Make Calculated Purchases

When people go out to buy kitchen equipment, they often find themselves at the store in a state of confusion. Even something that seems so simple as buying a saucepan can get complicated quickly. You have a choice as to what material the pan is made of, the grip, the size, and the brand.

Most people make their purchases based on certain criteria, such as price. Or, they’ll talk to the sales staff and make a decision based on their recommendation. While these methods certainly represent great reasons to buy something, it does not reveal the true picture.

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house. And in a lot of households, the kitchen and the various appliances and cooking supplies are used multiple times a day. This means that if you purchase the wrong equipment, or things that are not built to last, then you could end up replacing it within just a few months. That is why buying the least expensive kitchen equipment in the market is not always a good idea. You end up spending more in the long run because you need to replace it often.

So, as you shop for kitchen items, remember that the least expensive product may not suit your needs. You need to be able to make calculated purchases and find a balance between reasonably priced items and those that are built to last.

Gather Information

An easy way to help you make calculated purchases is to gather product information. There are several ways you can do this.

  • Gather information and product specs from the manufacture. Visit their website or look on the box.
  • Ask others what their favorite kitchen appliances and utensils are. Talk with your friends and family members and you can also find the information online.
  • Read product reviews. You can find them online and in consumer magazines. There are a lot of people out there who take the time to review the various kitchen tools and appliances and share their findings with others. 
  • Attend product demonstrations and test out the products on your own. That way, you can see first hand how a product functions. 
  • Which products do professional chefs use? They are committed to finding equipment that will last. This is information will be important for those items that you use often.
Once you find the information, you can make educated decisions about what you would like to buy. This step may not seem as if it is directly related to making money. However, if you make calculated purchases and gather as much information as you can, you will not waste money by purchasing things that are unnecessary.

Plus, if you go to a store and already have knowledge about what you want to buy, this will help you converse with the sales staff in an educated manner. If you are torn between several products, they can actually help you make a decision. If you were to arrive at the store without knowing what to buy, the chances of you ending up with something you don’t like or don’t need is an easy way to waste money.

It would be hard to find someone who at one time or another did not fall prey to the latest trends in kitchen equipment. A special blender to create smoothies. A gadget to help you chop vegetables. A knife set whose manufacturers claim can saw through metal. We all have at least one “wonder gadget” collecting dust in our kitchens.

The truth is, these gadgets seldom live up to their claims. The commercials, while not overtly deceiving us, somehow manage to make the product look and seem a little better than it is. So we buy it and in the end we waste our money.

If we embrace the latest trends in cooking gadgets whenever we see something that we think will make our lives easier, we end up spending more money than we need to. This is not a cost effective way to stock our kitchens with helpful and useful tools.

Your best bet is to stock your kitchen with tools and appliances that are time tested. Your goal is to spend your money on the basics. You will learn that a high quality chef’s knife, for example, is one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen. The smoothie blender, on the other hand, will likely collect dust.

However, that does not mean that you should not purchase a kitchen tool that you fell will make your life easier. There is a time and a place to purchase these items. But you run the danger of making a bad decision and wasting your money. So, it is a good idea to only buy these items if you already have a well stocked kitchen. The error is when people think they are going to replace the need for a high quality knife because they purchased the latest shopping gadget.

If you look at the kitchens of top chefs, you will likely only see the basic tools and equipment that have been time-tested and are incredibly durable. This is something that you should consider as you feel yourself being swayed by the hype.

Your goal is to save money. A good way to do that is to steer clear of the latest trends and purchase only those things that are absolutely necessary. And, if you spend all of your money on gadgets, you will not have enough left in your budget to purchase durable things that are higher quality which will actually help you save money in the long run.

The Well Equipped Kitchen

Before you get started purchasing things for your kitchen, it is important to understand what you really need. But before you can do that, you need an idea of which items make up a well equipped kitchen. Here is a basic list. Keep in mind that you can add and subtract items depending on your cooking habits. But, it is important to get this list written down before you start buying things. It will help you save money.
  • Basic Kitchen Utensils


           Mixing bowls
           Measuring cups, spoons, and glass measuring cup for handling liquids
           Soup ladle
           Whisk
           A really food knife set
           Can opener
           Potato masher
           Wooden spoons
           Vegetable peeler
           Colander
           Rubber spatulas

  • Appliances

           Blender
           Mixer
           Toaster
           Food processor (helpful, but not necessary)

  • Baking Dishes and Pans

           Dishes for baking and cooking things in the oven such as cookie sheets ceramic baking dishes, and cake pans.

           Roasting pan for larger meats and one for smaller meats.

           A good, standard pan set that includes everything such as pots, sauté pans, and fry pans.

           Large soup pot and other pots and pans you may need that are not included in the set.


It is important to write down how you envision your kitchen. Think about what you need in your kitchen at the bare minimum.

Buying Kitchen Equipment: Tips And Tricks To Help You Save Money

You sit down to cook a meal but get frustrated. You spend a whole looking for the right kitchen utensils. After a few minutes of frustration you realize that the reason why you are spending so long looking for tools is that you do not have exactly what you need. You are in need of some new kitchen equipment.

The problem is, your kitchen needs a major overhaul, and this can be expensive. You need to find a way to save on kitchen equipment or else you will get frustrated every time you try to cook something.

Every great chef understands that having the best equipment you can find is essential to your success. They also know that if you have too many appliances and gadgets in your kitchen, it can get overwhelming and confusing, not to mention expensive.

In this special report, you will learn how to save on kitchen equipment. Here are some things that the report will cover:
  • The equipment you need for a well stocked kitchen.
  • How to take inventory of what you already have so you don’t waste money.
  • Read reviews and ask others what they think so you can purchase high quality equipment.
  • How to be wary of the latest fads in cooking equipment.
  • Learning the difference between inexpensive equipment and cheap equipment.
  • Discover the difference between “needing” and “wanting”.
  • How to comparison shop so you can find what you need for less.
  • How to find the best deals.
There are several things to keep in mind when you set out to purchase kitchen equipment for less. This special report will help educate you on how to find the best deals. It will also show you that inexpensive does not mean that it is good quality. When it comes to kitchen equipment, you often want things that are built to last.