If you are serious about cooking, it is likely that your kitchen is one that your friends dream about as they cut away on a plastic cutting board with dull knives, cooking sub par food from sub-par recipes they got off the internet. You, however, have taken the time to make your space not just a cooking space, but a gourmet kitchen. There are some things that are critical (and others less so) to giving your kitchen “gourmet” status. This is a list that identifies the must-have items in any gourmet kitchen, allowing you to cook the best meals with ease while enjoying the atmosphere.
Essential Item #1: A GOOD Cutting Board
A high quality cutting board takes something that can feel like a chore and make it generally enjoyable. A granite cutting board, such as this Trudeau Wave Reversible Cutting Board, allows for more deep cuts without fear of cutting through plastic or wood, and is also far more durable. Making it more appealing is how easy it is to clean one of these boards as well as being less of an eyesore. A granite cutting board is essential for the gourmet kitchen.
Essential Item #2: A Pair of Knives
What good is a cutting board without a good knife set? A gourmet kitchen should have a top of the line, complete knife set that can be neatly organized with a knife block. This J.A. Henckels International 15707-000 Fine Edge Synergy 17-Piece Knife Block Set is a good example of a quality cutting board set. This 17 piece set is complete with a pearing knife, boning knife, chef’s knife and a set of steak knives, among others. It also comes with sharpening steel. Another good quality of the knife set is the single stamp construction, meaning they are going to be durable for the long haul. This is a quality knife set that would fit in any gourmet kitchen.
Essential #3: Cookware That Gets The Job Done
A gourmet kitchen also needs a gourmet cookware set, such as this Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 14-Piece Cookware Set. The entire set is non-stick hard anodized, making it much easier to clean up after you’ve been cooking. Further, the Cuisinart set has all the necessities a gourmet cook would need, ranging from skillet to a 9 quart stock pot. The set also includes a variety of steamers for vegetables or pasta. Having the right type of pot or pan for the type of meal you are preparing is going to make all the difference in the outcome!
Gourmet Kitchen Gadget #4: Olive Oil Sprayer
No gourmet kitchen would be complete without a couple of neat gadgets. 
This unique gadget offers a way to use just enough of flavor infused oils to add to your favorite dishes. The Misto M100S Gourmet Brushed Aluminum Olive Oil Sprayer is a non-aerosol spraying device that allows a cook to use just the right amount of oil. Further, you can use the canister as a way to mix salad dressings. Not only is the Misto useful, it also has an attractive stainless steel casing and can really save you money if you stop using too much oil.
Gourmet Kitchen Gadget #5: Digital Kitchen Scale
Another neat gadget that every gourmet chef needs is a digital scale, as that is often a standard way to measure flours or to correctly proportion meals. Fortunately, this does not have to come with a gourmet price – we love the simplicity of the EatSmart Precision Pro Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale With 11lb capacity, and 2000+ glowing reviews, it’s a safe bet for any gourmet chef. We like it also has a TARE function to reset the scale to zero while in use, making it easy to keep the progress moving along as you weigh out your ingredients.
Gourmet Essential #6: Microplane Grater
A gourmet kitchen also needs a high quality micro-plane grater. This Microplane 40020 Grater/Zester has a soft grip handle and blades that are sharp enough to cut everything from nutmeg to ginger to parmigiana cheese. Having a micro-plane grater is handy when it comes to getting the most out of your ingredients and adding the most flavor to your food. This model is particularly attractive due to the soft grip handle that is easy to hang on to, as well as how convenient it is to clean. Not to mention the reasonable price.
Gourmet Essential #7: Digital Thermometer
How aggrivating is it when you have to cook a meat to a certain temperature, yet you don’t have a thermometer to tell you exactly where your meat is? This always leaves you with meat that is either under cooked or, more likely, over cooked and rather dry. If you ask a gourmet chef about this, he or she won’t know what you’re talking about due to their instant read thermometers. A digital instant read thermometer is a good addition to a gourmet kitchen and takes the questioning out of preparing roasts or meats that require a temperature reading. This Taylor Digital Instant-Read Pocket Thermometer is a good value and easy to use and the same brand many commercial kitchens rely on.
Essential #8: Hand Choppers
A home gourmet chef probably doesn’t have much time to spend chopping away at ingredients, which is why a hand chopper is essential in any gourmet kitchen. This popular model, the KitchenAid Pro Food Chopper, comes at a low cost and has many neat features. It keeps food off of the side walls with the “food sweeper”, it doesn’t require a cutting board as it acts as its own base and it is dishwasher safe. Any gourmet kitchen should have a multi-chopper, and this Kitchen Aid model is a good example.
Gourmet Kitchen Gadget #9: Rolling Pin Rings
If your gourmet chef is also a gourmet baker, it is best to include some rolling pin rings. How many times do you have to get out a ruler to see how thick the dough is you’ve just rolled? Not only is using a ruler time consuming, but it’s also unsanitary. Any gourmet baker would have rolling pin rings, such as the Regency Wraps Rolling Hills Rolling Pin Rings which allow you to control how thick the dough is as you roll it. They are low cost and time saving, not to mention increase the chance of that difficult pastry ending up looking anything like the picture in the recipe book.
With these essentials, you are on your way to creating a perfect place to make perfect dishes. You can forget about becoming aggravated by less than adequate gadgets and worry more about the food you’re putting your efforts into making. With these gadgets, you are on the right track to having a kitchen any gourmet chef would call home.
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