Setting up home…in New York! Wow – I cannot help adding the “in
New York” bit just about everywhere. I was never a big fan of living in the
States and when coming to New York was finalized, I earned a whole lot of flak from
my sister and cousins about my blasé attitude. NOW though…quite a different
story.
I got my first taste of New York when I got out of the
subway straight from the airport. It started snowing that very moment - and I fell in love. I find that there is something so magical about
viewing a city through swirling snow; it feels straight out of a storybook. I now live with my husband in an apartment in
Manhattan and as my mother-in-law keeps saying, it is very “Friends“like. I
quite feel like Monica Gellar, being the boss of my own kitchen!
Though I have lived away from home in the past, I was never
in a situation where I had to look after a house or be responsible for
preparing my own meals. So, when I arrived from India to an apartment whose
kitchen needed setting up from scratch, I was really intimidated. The Kitchen
came with a four burner stove, an oven and a fridge but not much else. It took
me a few weeks of using my kitchen to understand what exactly I was going to
need. I wanted to be frugal in buying kitchenware as we are going to be here
for just a year and I did not want to accumulate a whole lot of things. I did
not find Google to be of much service when it came to starting up an Indian
vegetarian kitchen (what?!) and was really confused for a while. Hence, I decided
to put together this post of simple multipurpose kitchen tools to help out those 20 something people
out there who are just establishing their first homes.
Kitchen Essentials
(in no particular order)
1.
Pressure
Cooker – this I bought in India and brought here. It is a long term
investment for those who cook Indian food – the Royal Bengal tiger of the
kitchen. It’s perfect for boiling vegetables, making rice and dal, cooking any
kind of beans, and cooking meat.
2.
Karahi
– this also, I bought in India. It is like a wok but Indian style made of steel and with steeper sides. I use it
to cook all kinds of sabzis or vegetables and also for frying.
3.
Tava –
a flat griddle used to make roti or flatbreads, and omelets or pancakes.
4.
Small
saucepan – I use this to make tea, boil milk, melt butter or heat soup. It has
two spouts which makes it easier to pour liquids.
5. Medium and large saucepans – I use
these for everything! Cooking, steaming
and making soups and sauces. Buy ones with tight fitting lids.
6. Frying
pan – for stir fries or sautéing
7.
Food processor – I purchased a simple
one. Though you need to make sure that you buy one that has a normal big as
well as a small cup. I was about to buy a processor that had only a 48 ounce /
6 cup jar but soon enough realized that I would need a small jar as well as I
was going to be cooking only for 2 people. The small jar chops small amounts of
vegetables, and purees and minces them perfectly. I use the large jar to make
shakes or when I need to cook in large quantities.
8. Jhariya – this is a round steel spatula with holes and again something that
I got from India. I use this for frying as it drains out the oil well.
9. Rolling pin – from India as well. I use
this for rolling out chapatis or flatbreads. Someday when I am in the mood to
bake, I will roll out some pie dough.
10. Chimta – or quite simply, tongs. This is made of steel and flat
rather than curved at the ends. I use this to turn over chapatis on the gas and
griddle.
11. Pot holder – for utensils, when they become
really hot or when they have no handles
12. Turning Spatula - can be used to flip,
turn and stir
13. A good knife – I do not think I need to
elaborate on this
14. Peeler
15. Chopping board
16. Pair of scissors – for when you do not
manage to tear that packet with your hands. Also useful for cutting herbs and
leaves.
17. Oven mittens
18. Oven safe dish (es) – two (one medium
and one large) should be enough.
19. Grater – a box grater is so much
handier though tougher to clean
20. Can opener
21. Colander – I bought a metal one as it
can go on the stove to steam vegetables. It can be used to drain rice, pasta, and
boiled vegetables.
22. Strainer – mainly for tea
23. Whisk
24. Measuring cups and spoons
25. Microplane zester – a pure indulgence
26. Cutlery – a basic set of knives, forks
and spoons.
27. Plates, glasses and bowls
28. A Mug – when you want tea/ coffee/ hot
chocolate. Hot drinks in a glass just feels wrong.
29. Serving bowls and spoons- however I do
not find this necessary unless you have guests over. We generally serve ourselves
straight from the pan as it means less cleaning up.
30. Storage containers (plastic, steel, stone,
ceramic or whatever you like) – I recommend you buy these in a variety of
sizes
31. Zip lock bags – multipurpose! I use
these to carry lunch and store things in the freezer.
32. Dishwashing liquid, and sponges
33. Kitchen paper towels
34.
Dustbin
and trash bags – remember to separate the garbage and the plastic!
*A list of pantry essentials
coming up.
