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Whether you’re a foodie enthusiast, or you’re looking for a definitive kitchen list for moving home, we asked restauranteur and all-round expert Rebecca Fahy to dish on her must-have kitchen essentials.
Knives
My number one kitchen essential is definitely a good set of knives. You could have an amazing kitchen filled up with gadgets but if your knives aren’t up to scratch then you’re wasting your time. If you are going to invest in a good set of blades, certainly buy a knife sharpener as well.
Saucepans & frying pans
I recently got a really decent set of saucepans for an induction hob in IKEA. They have a little glass panel in the lid which is steam resistant so it allows you to monitor the contents of the pot without having to remove the lid. I find that 2-3 saucepans are all that you’ll ever really need, along with a good frying pan. Stainless steel is by far the best. While copper pots look so pretty, they stain very easily from gas and it almost breaks your heart to use them.
Chopping Boards
I also love having a large wooden board which is great for cutting bread and chopping herbs as well as just looking nice sitting on the kitchen counter. If your existing set of chopping boards are slippy on the counter, put a damp tea towel between the board and the counter to stop it slipping.
Weighing Scales & Cup Measure
A weighing scales is essential for baking; flat scales are a great space saver and you aren’t limited by which bowl you use on it. I’ve found in the last few years that I am using cup measures a lot more frequently as I’m following American and Australian recipes online. I got a really nice cup measure in HomeStore & More which also has milliliters measured on the inside.
Food Processor
The more I introduce salads into my daily menu, the more I’m using my food processor. I got a new Kenwood one in Argos; very reasonably priced and Kenwood machines are known for their reliability.
Baking Trays
Having two baking trays should see you through most dishes. A larger one for roasting large joints of meat or a lot of vegetables and a smaller one for making tray bakes.
Sieve
Essential for a lot of baking dishes and can double as a cauldron to strain pasta, rinse grains etc.
Totally not an essential but a luxury buy; Vitamix
I got one for the shop and it has taken my hummus to a new level. The blades work so fast and get such a smooth paste. It has various settings some of which include Soup, Smoothie & Ice Cream.
Storage
It’s always so much easier to keep your kitchen in order if your storage game is strong. I like to use the small Chinese takeaway containers. They are available to buy from the Asian supermarket on Drury Street in Dublin. They are cheap, stack nicely, a good size and also are freezer and microwave safe for food use. I also keep any used jars and recycle them as storage solutions; great for keeping nuts and seeds fresh.
Gadget
My current favourite kitchen gadget is a citrus squeezer. They totally take the pain out of squeezing limes and lemons, and you get so much more juice from the fruit.
Kitchen drawer essentials
Vegetable peeler, pastry brush, can opener, garlic crusher, spatula, wooden spoon, ladle, fish slice, tongs (lots of them) and freezer bags.
A good big mixing bowl
(HomeStore & More have really big ones – amazing for making salads and baking)
My favourite kitchen essential spots are Stock on Clarendon Street, HomeStore & More, IKEA, TK Maxx & Nisbets online (wholesale prices available to the public). I love buying delph and serving dishes in charity shops; it gives a nice eclectic feel to the kitchen.
Browse our massive gallery of products above – all recommended by Rebecca.