 | KitchenAid KSM150PSBU Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Cobalt Blue
Buy new: $298.50 Here's something you may feel like you don't need. There's little this does that you can't do by hand. This does it better and faster. You want this, and will use this, more than you realize.
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 | Cuisinart DLC-2011BCN Prep 11 Plus Food Processor, Brushed Chrome
Buy new: $179.00 As above, this is a tool of convenience. You don't need a food processor to succeed in the kitchen. However, it does make life a lot easier when you're alone, or multitasking on a large meal.
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 | Wüsthof Classic 26-Piece Mega Block Knife Set with Block
I know, many of you are looking at the pricetag thinking I'm insane. These are a worthwhile investment, but like me, you may want to start small and build over time. See below.
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 | Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Cook's Knife
Buy new: $119.99 Love Wusthof, but want to start small? These next 5 items are the basic foundation for a good knife set. These are meant as a cheaper alternative to the set above.
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 | Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Carving Knife
Buy new: $99.99 Continuing the basic set. It's worth pointing out that Wusthof is my personal choice, but Sebatier and Henckles are wonderful in their own right.
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 | Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Bread Knife
Buy new: $89.99 Continuing the basic set. Wusthof also offers different lines. I enjoy the simplicity of the Classic line, but investigate the others before making a purchase.
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 | Wüsthof Classic 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife
Buy new: $39.95 Continuing the basic set. The size of these blades were chosen specifically to create the base for a set. These blades are often seen as the most functional sizes.
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 | Wüsthof 10-Inch Sharpening Steel
Buy new: $24.99 Continuing the basic set. Learn to properly sharpen your knives, and keep them that way.
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 | All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware Set with Nonstick Fry Pan
Buy new: $569.95 Like Wusthof knives above. All-Clad here is a personal choice and recommendation. But also look at Calphalon and Le Creuset as terrific alternatives. Consider this a starter set.
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 | All-Clad Stainless 12-Quart Multi Cooker with Steamer Basket
Buy new: $119.95 Not much to say here. In addition to the set above, you'll need a larger stock pot, and the inserts are a nice functional bonus.
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 | All-Clad Stainless Nonstick 10-Inch Open Stir Fry Pan
Buy new: $119.95 / Used from: $95.00 I've found this a happy and useful addition. I would not classify it a necessity by any means, but it's nice to have.
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 | All-Clad 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Tool Set
Pricey perhaps, but high quality and I like the All-Clad continuity. Good tools in the kitchen are a worthy investment. Good tools and good ingredients help create a good product.
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 | Peugeot Paris Classic Pepper Mill 7-Inch, Chocolate
Buy new: $34.95 Yes, it's the same Peugeot that makes cars. But they make the best pepper mills in my opinion. A nice tall one like this with a wide head is essential at least in my kitchen.
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 | Rösle 12.6-Inch Balloon Whisk /Beater
Buy new: $28.99 You want a few different sized balloon whisks. This is a good example, it has a nice solid handle providing balance, and 24 wires allowing for thorough mixing.
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 | Oxo Good Grips Medium Spoon Spatula, Vanilla
Buy new: $7.99 Like the whisks above, you'll want a few of these, or spatulas like these. If you get or have the Kitchenaid stand mixer, at least one is absolutely essential for scraping down the sides of the bowl.
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 | Rösle Garlic Press
Buy new: $42.99 Here's a great tool that a surprising number of kitchens are without.
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 | Microplane Grater/Zester
Buy new: $8.99 Lemon zest is a fairly commonly listed ingredient. This tool does an excellent and quick job of an otherwise time consuming task. Also great for cheese, hard spices (cinnamon, ginger) and more.
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 | Pyrex Prepware 3-Piece Measuring Cup Set
There are fancier measuring cups. But sometimes simple is best. These are nice and solid, there's nothing inside to get in your way if you want to stir. Highly recommended.
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 | Calphalon Stainless-Steel 4-Piece Measuring Spoon Set
The brand here is unimportant, but Calphalon is great. You're looking for sturdy metal spoons in at least 1/4t, 1/2t, 1t, and 1T.
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 | Calphalon Stainless-Steel 4-Piece Measuring Cup Set
As above with the spoons, you're looking for sturdy metal, with nice flat uniform surfaces to slice/scrape off excess. I prefer cups that are ovular so it's easier to get them in narrow jar necks.
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 | Chefmate® Nonstick 5-pc. Bakeware Set
Buy new: $11.99 Do some research here, and find a nice set that you like. I highly recommend All-Clad Gold (champagne colored) bakeware, but that's personal pref. Had to include at least a limited bakeware set.
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 | Pyrex Mixing Bowls (Set of 3)
This is a good starting point, but you can't have enough mixing bowls. Try to find a set that has 12-15pcs, from large to small. Great for mixing, staging pre-measured ingredients, etc.
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 | The Professional Chef by Culinary Institute of America
Buy used from: $30.50 The essential kitchen text. Don't think of it as a recipe book, think about it as a cost effective alternative to a cooking/trades school. Outstanding text covering everything from knife basics on.
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 | Culinary Artistry by Andrew Dornenburg
Buy new: $23.48 / Used from: $18.94 Terrific reference and companion to the text above. Understand food pairings, learn to branch out above and beyond recipes.
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