View Full Version : What one item do you wish you had in your kitchen?
Was thinking about this the other day but decided to wait until the new forum was open to post it. :)
I'd really like a good pestle and mortar. Not a piddly little one but a really good quality **** off granite one. They're not too expensive but too much to justify at the moment, especially considering how often I'd use it. Saw Ramsay making a marinade for the fish dish they were cooking on The F Word the other day and grinding all kinds of great stuff up. Looks like a really satisfying hands-on way of getting the flavour out of things.
If there were no practical limits, what would you add to your culinary equipment arsenal?
An oven!!!!!!!! One of the big range ones like fakeys got (although even a bog standard elecy oven/gas hob would be good right now)
More space/surfaces would be good too
Blackstar
29-05-2007, 11:19
I'd love a huge cooker and hob range. Not that i can cook to save myself but i'm sure Martin would like it. The only thing i like to do is baking.
An old wood burning stove like my mum used to have and my sister has. Makes the kitchen the heart of the home.
Used to love coming in and sitting on it to warm up my frozen bum on cold nights!
FakeSnake
29-05-2007, 11:46
A Kitchen Aid mixer. Shame its £350 !!!! (it will have to wait)
I already have the blender, and its indestructible.
other than that, nothing really, we kind of went all out on our kitchen when I built it 18 months ago.
Kell_ee001
29-05-2007, 11:50
I want a Kitchen Island in my kitchen! i've always wanted one but never afforded it / been renting so can't have one put in / not had a big enough kitchen to do it in :(
A whole kitchen refit with cupboards and EVERYTHING (yes jealous of pigmos kitchen :p)
A George Foreman or a cooker that actually fills the space - the one I have isn't big enough but still works so I can't justify replacing it yet :undecided:
BB x
I'm actually quite well equipped in the kitchen area. I'd been saving up kitcheny things for about 3 years before we got the house, so I had tonnes of new, good quality stuff just waiting to be used. Ever year I'd get a little bit more in the Christmas sales or whenever I saw a good bargain.
I'd actually agree with your choice Belmit. I would love a big, marble pestle and mortar. I bought a small marble one ages ago, but it never turned up when we moved in, and Mum can't find it at her house, so it's lost forever. I really really miss it because it comes in very handy when grinding things up for pastes, curries and salad dressings.
Our kitchen was tired when we moved in, and since then a few cupboard doors and drawer fronts have fallen off. We were left the oven by the previous owner, and whilst it's alright, the grill is knackered which is very frustrating. I am dying for a new one, with a lovely new oven (Mum & Dad said they'd buy us one as a moving in present). I'll be having a built-in oven with an eye-level grill, and a hob built into the worktop. I get the feeling that I will be waiting quite a while for that though :)
Realistically I'd love a George Foreman. If I'm dreaming I'd luuuurve a big duel fuel range and a kitchen big enough for an island.
I think I want a pressure cooker. I miss the one I had at home because it did fantastic casseroles but also doubled up as a huge cooking pot, like cauldron sized, and that comes in handy every now and then.
Belmit I've had my pstle and mortar for years, it's a proper chemist's one for grinding up stuff. Before I could cook I used to grind up chemicals to make home made fireworks but it sort of migrated from the experiments cupboard into the kitchen. Scary that I used to grind up weedkiller, match heads and stuff like sulphur and now it's delicate spices ;D
That's a spicy meat-a-ball! :D
I'd love an Aga, but they're just not practical anymore, though they are good as a central heating device ;)
Some proper teflon pans would be nice though - however the cast iron ones I've got do work nicely, you just have to be a bit more careful.
I *will* one day buy a full set of Globals.
I would really like a kitchen like my best mate has at home - its absolutely stunning, one of the nicest kitchens I have ever been in :) Bit of a long way off though!
I bought my Mum a really nice marble pestle and mortar, as her old one had become damaged. Being in the good food guide for a few years, she already has quite a lot of cool cooking bits and pieces, so I have access to quite a lot of stuff already :)
I want or NEED to find my garlic crusher again, it was a really good one from Habitat that they dont do anymore with a removable bit for easy cleaning !!!
That and I want one of those big granite bowl thing with a granite handle to crush herbs, forgot what you call them.
Justsomebloke
29-05-2007, 16:49
A Slave.
A Slave.
Make mine Tall, Blonde and Swedish. :D
That and I want one of those big granite bowl thing with a granite handle to crush herbs, forgot what you call them.
That'd be the reason I started the thread. ;D
That'd be the reason I started the thread. ;D
ah :embarassed: lol
I'd love an Aga, but they're just not practical anymore, though they are good as a central heating device ;)
My sister uses hers to do all her cooking as well as heating the house, but then we were brought up with one so we're used to them.
Really miss having one!
Make mine Tall, Blonde and Swedish. :D
Perhaps female too, just in case ;) I'd love George Forman the actual dude to cook my tea on a George Forman grill. That or a restaurant with a good chef.
Am I the only person who has one of these George Foreman thingies but has never ever used it?
I just use my griddle on the hob instead. Got it cheap (the GFG) when I used to work at Boots, and it's never even come out the box. In fact, I think we put it in the loft a couple of months ago because it was taking up space.
I guess I should give it away really. I'm holding on to it due to our severe lack of a grill, but I've managed 6 months just fine.
Am I the only person who has one of these George Foreman thingies but has never ever used it?
I just use my griddle on the hob instead. Got it cheap (the GFG) when I used to work at Boots, and it's never even come out the box. In fact, I think we put it in the loft a couple of months ago because it was taking up space.
I guess I should give it away really. I'm holding on to it due to our severe lack of a grill, but I've managed 6 months just fine.
You are not alone, I have 2 (don't ask) George and wont touch them again since i got a cast iron grill. The george makes the meat dry and tasteless, it is just not hot enough to cook steak right, and it removes all the fat (good) but also juices from the meat. Because it doesn't get hot enough it kinda boils the food on it, making it a bit rubbery. Cooking veg on it is ok i find, but is still hard to keep clean and the non stick surface is not non stick and also means I cant scrub it with anything metal. I also can't soak it either because its electrical.
I found them to be pretty terrible for everything "proper". Alright for burgers and the like though.
Much prefer a proper griddle pan :)
Much prefer a proper griddle pan :)
This man speaketh the truth!
Bakestone. A proper cast iron bakestone.
My second choice would be Gordon Ramsey as not only can he cook, I think we would get on like a kitchen on fire.
I love my george foreman but then without a cooker I survive using that, a plug in electric hob which goes back on the top of the cupboard when not in use and a combination microwave
I'd really like a good pestle and mortar. Not a piddly little one but a really good quality **** off granite one.
I have one that I've never used. I will get round to using it some time- I'm determined to.
I wish I had a fridge that wasnt older than me. I want one of those big american ones that you could sleep in if you wanted to. My Mum has one and I love it.
I have one that I've never used. I will get round to using it some time- I'm determined to.
I wish I had a fridge that wasnt older than me. I want one of those big american ones that you could sleep in if you wanted to. My Mum has one and I love it.
My dad at work has a double door stainless steel fridge about 1.8m tall and 1.5m wide, it goes down 0c. Worth about £2,000, strange thing is that it has no lights inside ;D
Kell_ee001
29-05-2007, 19:56
I bought Mum and Dad a proper granit pestal and morter but don't think they hardly use it anymore. My sister has my George Forman sitting in her cupboard though so you're not the only one who doesn't use it. I probably would use it more if I had it here for the ease of a fair few meats and it's really good for getting the fat out too. :)
Piggymon
29-05-2007, 20:02
At the moment an oven ! ;D - ours is currently under the stairs waiting to be installed !
On a serious note I want a yummy smoothie maker with a posh tap and everything.
Would have loved one of those american fridges with the ice maker if we'd have had room.
A chef. I can't cook for toffee :embarassed:
A gas hob. No gas in the building tho' :(
At the moment an oven ! ;D - ours is currently under the stairs waiting to be installed !
On a serious note I want a yummy smoothie maker with a posh tap and everything.
Would have loved one of those american fridges with the ice maker if we'd have had room.
I find a blender is more versatile making smoothies, just put it in a blitz it and then pour into a glass. Summer is almost here I might go get some fruit/ice cream and milk for some nice smoothies tomorrow !:D
On a serious note I want a yummy smoothie maker with a posh tap and everything.
I had one of those until I decided to see if it could handle mixing pancake batter. There was lots of black smoke.
I've decided what I really really want is a bigger kitchen. My kitchen is tiny- it cost me £9 to put flooring down in there.
I found them to be pretty terrible for everything "proper". Alright for burgers and the like though.
Much prefer a proper griddle pan :)
Well that's alright then, it can bloody well stay in the loft :) I've heard raving reviews from various people about them, but I just struggle to see how they could be better at cooking stuff than proper pots and pans.
I have a cast iron griddle which I use for steaks etc., because it just cooks beautifully and makes lovely chargrilled lines. And the only burgers we have had whilst living here are handmade by moi, so I'd rather cook them on something I trust.
Pfff to the GFG, although I understand how it could be good for people with families as a fit and forget type thing.
When my housemate moved out I reminded him as he was leaving that he'd left his griddle in the kitchen. He told me I could have it and he'd get a new one! This one looks brand new to me and I'm sure they aren't cheap either. Score.
I just wish we had a kitchen. End of. Getting real tired of eating everything out of the microwave.....
When my housemate moved out I reminded him as he was leaving that he'd left his griddle in the kitchen. He told me I could have it and he'd get a new one! This one looks brand new to me and I'm sure they aren't cheap either. Score.
If its cast iron then it will need to be seasoned first before using it or your food will stick. Just grease it with cooking oil and put it in the oven for 30 mins, repeat a few times. The oil will work its way into the pores of the cast iron and will form a natural non stick layer.
It isn't actually new, but it has been treated well. I just couldn't believe he didn't want it any more, he used it all the time.
Well that's alright then, it can bloody well stay in the loft :) I've heard raving reviews from various people about them, but I just struggle to see how they could be better at cooking stuff than proper pots and pans.
I have a cast iron griddle which I use for steaks etc., because it just cooks beautifully and makes lovely chargrilled lines. And the only burgers we have had whilst living here are handmade by moi, so I'd rather cook them on something I trust.
Pfff to the GFG, although I understand how it could be good for people with families as a fit and forget type thing.
The problem with devices like the GFG is that they are designed to remove as much liquid from whatever it is that they are cooking as possible, which means they cook food slowly and as a result, dry it out completely.
This means that steaks, chops and such are all pretty tough when they come out or are otherwise unappealing. Sausages take an absolute age on them and just aren't quite "right" when they come out.
For making waffles, burgers, quick and nasty toasties without a proper machine etc, they do rock though. I would never buy one myself though because I don't give a damn about how much fat I remove from my food as long as it tastes good and 99% of things I could cook on one I would cook under a grill or in a frying pan :)
Back OT, I have been once again looking at the Global site :(
Why are the G-series knives so nice and yet so expensive?! :sob: In the UK shops that sell them, even the smaller knives that aren't particularly specialised in their use are astonishingly priced compared to the prices in the states. You'd be lucky to get what would amount to a "complete set" for under about £3k!
*Googles G-series knives*
Oooooo!!!! Pretty!!!!! I want!!!!!
Damn you Durz :( :p
I've just remembered something I thought I wanted.
Last time I did steak, I thought 'darn, I wish I had some steak Knives' low and behold it turns out that the knives in one of my knife blocks are steak knives! Score!
Back OT, I have been once again looking at the Global site :(
I currently own a G4 but ideally want a small chopping knife as well. Just one more thing to add to the list!
FakeSnake
30-05-2007, 17:11
I've just remembered something I thought I wanted.
Last time I did steak, I thought 'darn, I wish I had some steak Knives' low and behold it turns out that the knives in one of my knife blocks are steak knives! Score!
:'( :'(
Steak should never need a steak knife
More space!! I have all sorts of lovely things in my kitchen but they are all stacked away in far corners of cupboards as my litchen is so small :(
All my lovely Le Creuset terrines, casseroles and pans, most of them don't get used much as they are stashed away.
Flibster
31-05-2007, 00:55
A bloody gas hob and oven.
Damn flats where there is no gas. :(
Simon/~Flibster
A bloody gas hob and oven.
Damn flats where there is no gas. :(
Simon/~Flibster
I honestly don't think I'd buy a place that had no supply of gas. It's something that's quite important for me and would completely put me off.
Mubs - I also love Le Creuset stuff. I've got a little Gratin dish and a caserole dish that are Le Creuset plus a cheap fakey one that Mum bought me in France. They're all brilliant, and pretty bomb proof too :) It's so EXPENSIVE though.
I don't use my George Foreskin grill at all any more. Just find it dries all the food out and doesn't really get hot enough to do a good steak.
Mubs - I also love Le Creuset stuff. I've got a little Gratin dish and a caserole dish that are Le Creuset plus a cheap fakey one that Mum bought me in France. They're all brilliant, and pretty bomb proof too :) It's so EXPENSIVE though.
I was lucky and got all my stuff when I lived in Germany. Tax free shopping at the NAAFI :D But now my colour is discontinued :( Just as well I bought loads of it!
:'( :'(
Steak should never need a steak knife
Not the way I like my steak! :p
We're having steak tonight, we're using the posh steak knives today.
If I'm lucky I might inherit my Mum's Le Creuset pans, she's decided she wants ordinary ones now.
we cook loads on the george formby grill
He's done one as well? ;) :)
Piggymon
02-06-2007, 17:31
For all the granite pestle peeps, they had some today in Tescos for about £7
Dymetrie
02-06-2007, 17:38
I would actually like a really good set of knives.
At the moment I have a little crappy one, a medium sized pretty good one and a large good one.
I cook a lot and most of the time only use the large knife, which isn't always the best thing to use when cutting up smaller stuff, or trying to fillet a piece of meat.
At some point then I will get a good set of knives and will take more care of them than I do at the moment (I have a steel but don't use it that much as I'm always worried I'll dull the knives rather than sharpen them).
That and a new wok and grillpan :D
For all the granite pestle peeps, they had some today in Tescos for about £7
Ah cool. Will have a look when I'm doing next week's shopping :)
Piggymon
02-06-2007, 20:56
If it's not in store ..
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-5560.aspx
:)
A breadboard that catches all the crumbs!
And while we're at it, a chopping board that doesn't allow circular veg to go off on an expedition as it leaves the knife. Come back, pesky little courgette wheels!
\o/ w00t!
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9857/pict0002wj6.th.jpg (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0002wj6.jpg)
Thankyou eBay!
Cor that's a bit of a beast!
That looks really nice. How much was it?
£20, but with £10 delivery. I'm not surprised either, it's a solid lump of granite after all!
Was from this eBay shop: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/SIMPLEHOMEWARES.
They have a few still on there.
killerkebab
13-08-2007, 14:05
I could really use a deep fryer to make some real good potatoes/chips/anything :D
Gas, electric sucks majorly.
An outside kitchen with breeze block walls and whitewash would be good, western kitchens just can't take serious beating.
I want a pasta maker thingy.
Must have a look for one.
What one item do you wish you had in your kitchen?
A chef to do the cooking :)
A chef to do the cooking :)
I have one of those..... his name is Iain :D :cool:
After cooking all of those quiches 5 at a time...I want a proper oven!!!
Kell_ee001
21-08-2007, 15:00
I'm sure Stan will agree with me, but in our kitchen we simply need a bigger freezer atm! I miss being able to make up big batches of stuff and freezing it :(
Do you hire him out Kitten? :D
DISHWASHER :angry:
Oi, I've bloody well done it
Oi, I've bloody well done itYou hadn't when I posted, and I can't just switch you on and leave you to do them overnight :p
I need a good set of knives too (just been washing up)
I want some stainless steel all made from one block of metal type :)
And I realised I couldn't use a real garlic clove cos I haven't got a mortar and pestal... so maybe one of those one day.
BB x
I need a good set of knives too (just been washing up)
I want some stainless steel all made from one block of metal type :)
And I realised I couldn't use a real garlic clove cos I haven't got a mortar and pestal... so maybe one of those one day.
BB x
Have you got a garlic press?
I just chop up the garlic roughly and use 2 spoons to squish it, or a spook and a fork... Garlic squishers are great though :)
Kell_ee001
22-08-2007, 23:37
or a spook and a fork...
Yeah I've heard ghosts love to crush garlic! :D
I just chop up the garlic roughly and use 2 spoons to squish it, or a spook and a fork... Garlic squishers are great though :)
Yeah I've heard ghosts love to crush garlic! :D
LOL ;D
I either whack it with the side of my knife or put it in a garlic press. No need for a P&M, although I do have a lovely big granite one now :D
Piggymon
23-08-2007, 07:10
Chop the garlic up as finely as possible then add a touch of salt. Now use the blade of the knife to ' kneed' it and the abrasive action of the salt will mush it all down.
Or you could use Lazy Garlic ;)
I either whack it with the side of my knife or put it in a garlic press. No need for a P&M, although I do have a lovely big granite one now
Chop the garlic up as finely as possible then add a touch of salt. Now use the blade of the knife to ' kneed' it and the abrasive action of the salt will mush it all down.
Or you could use Lazy Garlic
Oooo thank you girlies! :D Will try to remember for next time!
I think I was juggling so many ingredients at the time, that the last thing I could think about was doing that aswell! :p
BB x
Yeah I've heard ghosts love to crush garlic! :D
You gotta be careful of these kitchen ghosts! ;) If I had decided to become a chef it would have been interesting with all these ghosts everywhere! :D
I would love a big, marble pestle and mortar.
Just ordered one of these from the discount boxes that come into work :D £7.50 :D Its the 4inch high size :)
I bought one the other day. I think it was about a tenner. Great big granite jobby like Belmit's. It's absolutely fantastic :D
I'm at a stage at the moment where I'm quite happy with my kitchen stuff. Got just about everything I need. Could do with some cake tins, but it's not like I will use them often. I would love some tres expensive sharp knives though, but I manage just fine with the ones I have and a sharpener :) Got more urgent things to be spending money on tbh.
goldilocks
23-09-2007, 12:17
Mubs - I also love Le Creuset stuff. I've got a little Gratin dish and a caserole dish that are Le Creuset plus a cheap fakey one that Mum bought me in France. They're all brilliant, and pretty bomb proof too :) It's so EXPENSIVE though.
ooh! i wondered if this'd be in here!
anyone who wants so le creuset - get yourselves down to t k maxx at the moment
that have pretty much every size / style in, in some fantastic colours (everything but the traditional orange / blue)
and it's all so cheap!
seriously, their lasagna dishes are about £5, and the covered casseroles are only £15 :)
i would get myself some more, but it's lack of cupboard space in this flat that stops me!
on topic - i don't think there is anything i really want at the moment
i love nice pans though - lucky to have had lots of nice new ones when we moved :)
a nice wok would be good though
oh and yes, gas! i hate cooking with electric :(
Urgh, electric is rubbish!! I feel for you.
Will have a look in tk next time I'm in town. I don't care what colours they are, that's a bargain!!
I've decided that what I actually need most in my kitchen is a big burly man who'll cook for me.
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