Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

[tulsanurse1]

First off, sorry this post is soo long. I am making my shopping list and decided to add some things to make life easier i.e...appliances and gadgets. I am trying to find good but inexpensive (if possible) items to get me started. If you can think of any other appliance/gadget must-haves, please let me know. I got these ideas from "Linda's List". Thanks in advance for helping me. Please don't feel as though you have to answer to all the items on my list. I'm hoping enough people respond that maybe I will get recommendations on all the items on the list (Did that make sense? lol)

Blender-Is it necessary to get Cuisinart?
Food Processor
Wok-Do they make a good inexpensive one? Prefer electric

Stick immersion/blender

Salad spinner

Julienne peeler
Storage containers
Garlic press
Knives-should I buy a set or individuals-any good but inexpensive?



Whats the diff b/w lemon zester and microplane zester and do I need one or both?


I don't have the money to purchase "hi-end" on a lot of stuff. I'm trying to have enough money left over to purchase a durable cookware set (if possible).

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

>> Blender-Is it necessary to get Cuisinart?>>

No.

>> Food Processor>>

Use sometimes ... not a requirement to do Atkins though.

>> Wok-Do they make a good inexpensive one? Prefer electric>>

I only have a stove top one. Don't use it much.

>> Stick immersion/blender>>

Use it when I make soup or mashed cauliflower ... it's not a requirement though.

>> Salad spinner>>

Husband loves it!

>> Julienne peeler>>

Don't have a personal need for one.

>> Storage containers>>

Didn't buy anything special to do Atkins ... I have Ziploc containers, Glad containers, etc.

>> Garlic press>>

Have one but don't use it.

>> Knives-should I buy a set or individuals-any good but inexpensive?>>

Do you not have knives now?

There could be some inexpensive sets buy quality makers at Target ... generally the more you spend the better off you are.

You probably want a good chef's knife and a good parer.

>> Whats the diff b/w lemon zester and microplane zester and do I need one or both?>>

I love my Microplane! I would get one of those ... but only if you're going to zest!

Rather than buy ahead ... you might buy as you need.

[not2late]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

First off, sorry this post is soo long. I am making my shopping list and decided to add some things to make life easier i.e...appliances and gadgets. I am trying to find good but inexpensive (if possible) items to get me started. If you can think of any other appliance/gadget must-haves, please let me know. I got these ideas from "Linda's List". Thanks in advance for helping me. Please don't feel as though you have to answer to all the items on my list. I'm hoping enough people respond that maybe I will get recommendations on all the items on the list (Did that make sense? lol)

Blender-Is it necessary to get Cuisinart?

No. Oster is a good brand too (and inexpensive)

Food Processor

Not necessary if you have a blender, for most applications.

Wok-Do they make a good inexpensive one? Prefer electric

A saute pan or frying pan works just as well, and is more versatile.

Stick immersion/blender

Not necessary if you have a blender.

Salad spinner

Useful if you are eating lettuce, salad greens. Otherwise, you can dry your greens by shaking off the excess water, and placing the greens in a single layer between two bath towel. Roll up gently and pat gently.

Julienne peeler

Not necessary unless you are thinking about using julienne vegetables frequently.

Storage containers

Necessary. If you don't want to purchase new containers, you can use cleaned glass jars---the glass is heat resistant and can be put in the microwave (without the metal lids of course. )

Garlic press

Not necessary. To mince garlic, place the garlic clove on a flat, sturdy surface, place the flat side of a knife blade against it, and give it a good whack. The peel will come off and slightly flatten the garlic clove. You can use your knife to chop/mince the garlic.

Knives-should I buy a set or individuals-any good but inexpensive?

To paraphrase Chef Jacques Pepin, the best knife is a sharp knife.

Whats the diff b/w lemon zester and microplane zester and do I need one or both?

Microplane zester gives you a fine grate. A lemon zester does not.

I don't have the money to purchase "hi-end" on a lot of stuff. I'm trying to have enough money left over to purchase a durable cookware set (if possible).

A friend of mine's grandma used to say: it's not the cooking pot that makes a good meal, it's the cook.

[cleochatra]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

I definitely wouldn't over-complicate things at this stage. If you have a refrigerator, a stove, a pan and a spatula you're already on the road to bacon, eggs and cheese (and so many other dishes). The rest you can acquire with need over time!

~simple sally

[Desertthorn]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

I agree with Cleo. There is always the old fashion way. I would invest in two great knife if I were you and sometimes you can get them in second hand stores and all they need is to be sharpened. One would be a small paring knife. A whisk would also be a cheap investment.
My favorite frying pans I bought for 3 dollars at a second had store. They are the old iron skillets. Even if you see some rust on them, they are great. A little cleaning and oiling you have a non-stick pan.

[tulsanurse1]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

So is the blender used for more things or the food processor?

[cleochatra]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

Really, you can use a blender for more things than the food processor. I have had a blender for 20 years, a food processor for only 1.

[imagood1]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

I have both a blender and food processor -- I can honestly say I haven't used either since I started following Atkins. Don't over complicate things, Atkins isn't about fancy gadgets -- it's about the food.

[Shrew2u]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

I'll throw in my two pennies, since I'm sous chef to a gadget freak so I usually use/wash them all:

• Blender - I'd use it more if I didn't have a Magic Bullet. Don't buy a Magic Bullet unless you are a gadget freak.
• Food Processor - I love mine; my gadget freak hubby bought a Back to Basics one that has a removable base with blender and food processor attachments. (originally said it was an Oster, then double-checked; no, we have the BtB 3-in-1 *plus* an Oster blender...)
• Wok - pick one up at your local thrift store with the rest of your cookware; snag a cast-iron skillet while you're at it
• Stick immersion/blender - I use it for mashed cauliflower; a blender or food processor can work just as well
• Salad spinner - I must admit I don't have one, but I do want one (and now hubby knows what to buy me for my b-day!)
• Julienne peeler - unless you like to use a *lot* of julienne veg, a sharp knife and practice will work fine
• Storage containers - buy cheap ones in different sizes
• Garlic press - unnecessary
• Knives - like others have said, a good paring knife and a good chef's knife are all you need. Hubby has had his fav chef's knife for 20-some years
• Whats the diff b/w lemon zester and microplane zester and do I need one or both? - just get the microplane; I love mine and it zests perfectly.

For cookware - the local thrift store, Craigslist, Freecycle, etc. Gadget freak hubby just gave a Wolfgang Puck Bistro Elite cookware set ($400!!) to a friend of ours because we literally had no room in the kitchen for them. He's not the only gadget freak who does stuff like that. You could probably get *all* of the stuff on your list for next to nothing if you look in the right places.

[mission to lose]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

I think you are buying a lot of unnecessary items. And as Cleo said, buy as you need...

My "can't live without item" is actually various cutting boards. I have a few because if they get too dirty, I would rather put it in the dish machine at night, especially if I cut meat on them. I like to get them really clean. And I chop and cut all day long. But make sure you buy the kind that won't ruin your good knives. The glass ones look nice but are the worst. Wooden cutting boards used to be the best, but if you are all worried about bacteria and such, they are not recommended anymore. And they can not go in the dishwasher. I forgot what they call the ones that are approved for use in restaurants in most places, they are usually white and look like a soft plastic...can't think of what it is called.

I also have a Stick immersion/blender, but only use it for soup.

Do you have measuring cups and spoons?

How about a food scale?

[tulsanurse1]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

I know I would use the julienne thingy lol, the immersion blender for soup (love cauliflower soup), and good knives. I am 47, am an RN, and work hard. I am trying to be nicer to myself and I have always wanted: good cookware (not too expensive), great knives, and some pretty bakeware. The kids are gone, its just me. So maybe its okay to have some "extras". I wish I could find a resale store around here that sold the nice kitchen/home items.

[mizski]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

Do you have measuring cups and spoons?

How about a food scale?

These are very important. I recommend a digital food scale with the TARE feature.

[tulsanurse1]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

I only have one (1 cup) glass measuring cup and no measuring spoons or scales. Nope, not ready to start yet. Want to be really ready as this needs to be something I easily transition into. It's so funny because I already gave my daughter everything in my kitchen that was edible. Going to try and get some stuff done tomorrow. My plan is start on Monday (work fri, sat, sun-12 hr days). If I'm not ready, I'm gonna be good to me and just positive talk until I get all ready, have the grocery shopping done, and have at least some dishes in the freezer for emergencies. Thanks everyone.

[mizski]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

Do you have any dollar stores or job lot stores near you? A lot of great kitchen gadgety things can be bought for cheap. Then you can save your money for things like the scale, a good saute pan, knives, etc.

[mission to lose]

Re: Which utinsils, appliances, etc from my list are must haves?

Hi again,

Forgive me for asking, but what did you use for cooking, baking, frying, recipes/measuring, storing /food prep before?

Were you ever on Atkins before?