I thought it might be fun to make a post on my ‘must haves’ in the kitchen. Every kitchen works differently. When I go visit my sister, my mom, a friend… each kitchen is individual. Because we are individual. Your kitchen may not work quite like any one else’s. But, we can often benefit from sharing things we like and use often. At the end I also share some ‘wish list’ items in case you are interested in things that aren’t necessary, but may help in the long run!

Wooden Spoons

I use almost exclusively wooden spoons and spatulas. I do have some metal items (see below) that are frequently used. But, the majority of my cooking involves wooden utensils. I love how they work and feel. I love their wear. I even have some old ones I found, cleaned up, and kept their life going. Some are faves. Others are used for particular purposes. But, they are in constant rotation in my daily cooking.

Flour Sack Dish Towels

I definitely use many types of cotton dish cloths. But, my well loved workhorse is the flour sack style. It is handy for drying dishes, wiping the counters, straining cheese, draining berries, covering sourdough… the possibilities are endless. Some of my towels are vintage with embroidery. Others are the 10 pack from a basic store. I also have cheesecloth in this pile, as it is very similar and used the same ways. NOTE: this is an organic muslin cheesecloth, not the disposable kind.

Pots

All of my pots are old. I use hammered aluminum- I know there are different schools of thought on this. From a large jam pot all the way down, these pots are used sometimes 5-6 times daily, depending on what I am making. They are a basic for me. Many folks like stainless steel. But, I adore these pots. The first two I received from my mom as a birthday gift after we shopped a local flea market together. It was right before Sweet Husband and I got engaged. The others I have found or been given.

Glass Jars

All sizes. All shapes. With and without lids. These jars perform many tasks. I can, ferment, store, drink from… Sweet Husband will sometimes comment ‘What are all of the jars in the fridge?’ I don’t always do a good job at labeling- but I am getting better! And, since a lot of the contents inside our fridge are not store bought, the ingredients end up in jars… yogurt, tea, pickles and peppers, pasta sauce, kombucha…

Misc Utensils

Knives are very important to a from-scratch kitchen. Mine are a hodge podge of favorites. But, if you have a good knife set, way to go! Kitchen scissors/shears are something I use numerous times per day. I recently treated myself to a cheese spoon I have been wanting for months, but up until then, this slotted spoon has done the work. It is my go-to for straining. Cheese grater for smaller jobs. Small spatulas are always in short supply and needed. And, a bench scraper for my sourdough and bread making. Very handy!

Measuring Cups/Spoons

You have seen a photo similar to this one before if you have been following along with my blog. I have a drawer devoted to my vintage measuring utensils. They are so much nicer to me that plastic (in fact, there isn’t much plastic on this post…). I guess you could say I collect them- just this week I purchased a 1/3 cup at the thrift store. As I bake, I use them all up! Then, I wash them all, stack them again, and they are ready for me next time. You also notice in the photo the metal canning funnels… I spy two, and another one is dirty in the sink as I just used it for sourdough…

Crock Pots

I am sure these crock pots have made their way into several posts. I use them each at least once per week, if not more. During the colder months, they are in constant use. I like the largest for my bone broth. Soups, stews, chicken, pot roast… I am a slow cooker type of girl. Instant pots have not pushed these crock pots out of my kitchen. I am so glad that instant pots work for some of you, though! That is wonderful! And perhaps one day, you can teach me how to use one. But, I do not foresee a day when crock pots won’t have a special cabinet in my kitchen.

Pans

Colors, shapes, sizes… my sister gave me a blue enameled 9×13 pan when we were both still single (and some metal measuring spoons and cups) and it is still my favorite pan. I probably call them brownie pans when my kids are searching for one. I have old pans, just like old pots. The only new you’ll find are some glass pyrex style with lids. They are generally used for church dinners because they travel well. But, my beloved enamel and aluminum pans are the day to day workers in my oven. Roasting, baking, setting, freezing… (not pictured above are cookie sheets, pizza pans, and muffin tins).

Cast Iron

I use cast iron skillets almost exclusively. I have one 8″ skillet, one 10″ skillet, one 10″ griddle, a dutch oven coated in enamel, a tortilla press, a bacon press, and a 9-hole cornbread style pan. You can find gorgeous cast iron at antique stores, garage sales, and markets. I have had many different brands over the years, and I cannot recommend the Lodge brand highly enough. When I found out they are a company out of Tennessee, I was even more pleased! Sweet Husband will usually ask around Christmas time if I have any cast iron to add to my Christmas list. He likes to keep a running tab with gift ideas. Cast iron can get a bad rap, but it is easy to use and care for and offers an excellent form of cooking, both inside and outside!

Mixing Bowls

Here is where you will see plastic. I received this set of nesting bowls as a wedding gift and all but one remains. Even though I am not a huge fan of plastic, these bowls have claimed their space in my kitchen cabinets. Granola, bread dough, straining cheese, broth… you have seen them pictured over and over again. I also love my lidded Pyrex style measuring bowl. It is one I use often for sourdough rising recipes like English muffins. The white bowls are from my granny! When she found out that I loved white bowls, she rummaged around her cabin kitchen and found this stack for me. Aren’t they lovely? They are my bean soaking, bread rising bowls.

Scrapers and Brushes

No kitchen is completely without cleaning utensils. I love wooden brushes, but I also use Swedish dish rags and a collection of others kinds. The plastic scrapers are very handy for cleaning cast iron pans or pots with cooked on yuck. I have given these as gifts because I can’t find them in kitchens I go and visit. Ha!

Wish List

This list of items are things that aren’t necessary, but if you are making a wish list, you might want to add some to it!

• Kitchen Aid stand mixer– mine was a Mother’s Day gift several years ago and it has been an amazing appliance. I have shredder, meat grinding, and grain milling attachments. Maybe some day I will get the pasta making attachment!
• Blender and/or Food Processor– I use a blender most for making smoothies (packing those great fermented probiotics into some yummy goodness as a snack) but I use it for other things as well. My mother-in-law bought a food processor a couple of years ago and claimed that it was our shared appliance. I have taken her up on this and have used it most during salsa season!
• Canners– I have posted numerous ‘preserving’ blog posts this summer and many require a canner. I use a pressure canner for both pressure and water bath canning.
• Large stock pots– these come in handy for yogurt and cheese making. It is for best results’ to use a non-reactive pot for making dairy products. I have made yogurt in aluminum, but I don’t anymore since getting some different sized stock pots.
• Emulsion Blender– this handy gadget is sometimes referred to as a stick blender and it is excellent for jams, soups, or other foods you want to quickly blend in the pot.
• Banneton Baskets– these cuties come in different sizes and shapes (oval and circle are ones I have seen) and are excellent for sourdough rising. You can also use a bowl lined with a tea towel, but I do like my banneton baskets for artisan bread.
• Kitchen Scale– this one is on the border of a ‘must have’. They are not expensive and are useful in so many areas of cooking/baking.

One item I see in many of the photos above that I didn’t list- cutting boards! Very important. But, I will stop here! I sure hope this has been helpful. Are any of my favorites some you haven’t used yet? Please drop your comments and questions below. I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas!