Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Kit | What You Need To Be A Better Chef

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide to essential kitchen tools for efficient cooking. It highlights the importance of having a few key items such as two saucepans (medium and large), three types of knives (chopping, paring, and serrated), a pestle and mortar for grinding spices, and ovenproof frying pans. The host emphasizes investing in quality cookware, like casserole dishes, wooden chopping boards, graters, and peelers, to ensure durability and convenience. These tools are versatile, cost-effective, and designed to enhance your cooking experience.

Takeaways

• 🍳 Basic saucepans are essential; a medium and a large one are recommended for various cooking needs.
• 🔪 Invest in a good set of knives, including a heavy-duty chopping knife, a small pairing knife, and a serrated edge knife for versatility.
• 🌿 A pestle and mortar are crucial for grinding spices and releasing maximum flavor in the kitchen.
• 🍳 Choose an ovenproof frying pan with a thick base for even heat distribution and versatility in cooking methods.
• 📏 Digital scales are indispensable for precise measurements, especially in baking where accuracy is key.
• 🍲 A cast iron casserole dish is a versatile and long-lasting investment for home cooking.
• 🔪 A high-quality chopping board is essential for durability and ease of use in food preparation.
• 🥄 A swivel peeler and a box grater are simple yet efficient tools for peeling and grating, saving time and effort in the kitchen.
• 🍖 Roasting trays are versatile and affordable, suitable for a variety of cooking tasks including baking and roasting.
• 🍌 To ripen fruit quickly, place it in a paper bag with a banana and store it in a dark place.

Q & A

What are the essential saucepans needed in the kitchen?

You only need two saucepans: a medium-sized one and a large one. The medium-sized pan is useful for sauces, heating liquids, or cooking rice, while the large one is ideal for pastas, stews, or cooking in bulk.

Why is the bottom of the saucepan important?

The heavier the bottom of the saucepan, the more heat it will conduct evenly, reducing the chances of burning food. Thinner bottoms tend to burn food more easily.

What are the three essential kitchen knives?

The three essential knives are: a heavy-duty chopping knife, a small paring knife for prepping vegetables, and a serrated-edge knife for carving and slicing.

What should you consider when buying a kitchen knife?

You should ensure the knife feels comfortable in your hand. A comfortable handle improves control over the blade, making cutting easier and safer.

Why is a pestle and mortar essential in a kitchen?

A pestle and mortar are versatile tools used for grinding spices, making pesto, dressings, and more. They help maximize flavor, create perfect textures, and offer better control when preparing ingredients.

What are the advantages of an ovenproof frying pan?

An ovenproof frying pan with a metal handle allows you to start cooking on the stovetop and finish it in the oven or under a grill. This is great for dishes like lamb, chicken, or omelettes.

Why are digital scales important for baking?

Digital scales are essential for precise measurements, which is crucial in baking. They can easily switch between units like pounds, ounces, kilos, and grams for accuracy.

What is the key advantage of a cast iron casserole dish?

Cast iron casserole dishes conduct heat well, allowing you to cook on minimal heat settings. They are versatile for both stovetop and oven use, making them great for slow cooking.

What makes a good chopping board?

A heavy-duty wooden chopping board is durable and long-lasting. It can be flipped for different tasks and maintained by rubbing it with oil. Wooden boards are easy to clean, but should not be left soaking in water or placed in a dishwasher.

What are the two essential tools for simple cooking?

A swivel peeler and a box grater are two essential tools. A swivel peeler is fast and efficient for peeling vegetables with minimal waste, while a box grater offers versatility for grating and slicing different ingredients.

Outlines

00:00

🍳 Essential Cookware for Budget-Friendly Kitchens

You don't need expensive equipment to cook great meals. Start with a few essential pieces: two saucepans—a medium and a large one. A small pan is useful for sauces and liquids, while the large pan is ideal for pastas, stews, and bulk cooking. Look for pans made from copper or stainless steel, and always get one with a heavy bottom for even heat distribution. Take care of them, and they'll last for years. Quality cookware saves money in the long run.

05:00

🔪 The Three Knives Every Kitchen Needs

A good kitchen requires just three knives: a heavy-duty chopping knife, a small paring knife for vegetables, and a serrated knife for carving. The key to a great knife is the handle—make sure it feels comfortable and offers a firm grip. The heavier the handle, the more control you'll have over the blade. With these three knives, you'll be ready for most kitchen tasks.

🌶️ Spice Up Your Cooking with a Pestle and Mortar

To make the most of your spices, all you need is a pestle and mortar. These ancient tools are perfect for grinding spices, making pesto, and preparing dressings. The heavier the set, the more durable it is, offering better control when pounding ingredients. Choose one with a wide bowl to make grinding easier, and enjoy the full flavor and texture of freshly ground spices.

🍳 Versatile Frying Pan: A Must-Have in Every Kitchen

A high-quality frying pan with a metal handle is incredibly versatile, perfect for cooking anything from lamb to omelets. Look for an ovenproof, non-stick pan with a thick, heavy base for even heat distribution. Finish dishes in the oven or under a grill for professional results—just remember, the handle will be hot!

🍰 Baking Essentials: Scales and a Sieve

Baking is all about precision, and digital scales are essential for measuring ingredients to the gram. These scales easily switch between pounds, ounces, kilos, and grams. A sieve (SI) with a long handle and hooks to balance over bowls is another crucial tool for sifting ingredients accurately. These two items ensure baking success and efficiency.

🥘 Casserole Dish: The Versatile Home Cooking Essential

A good casserole dish, especially one made of cast iron, is a must-have for home cooking. You can start cooking on the stove and finish in the oven. Cast iron distributes heat evenly, so you can cook with minimal heat. This durable dish is perfect for slow cooking and one-pot meals, lasting a lifetime if properly cared for.

🔪 Choosing the Right Chopping Board for Durability and Safety

A heavy-duty wooden chopping board is a kitchen essential. Wooden boards are durable, versatile, and easy to clean. To avoid slipping, place a cloth underneath while chopping. Wooden boards last longer with proper care—oil them regularly and never let them soak in water. With the right care, a good wooden board can last a lifetime.

🧀 Speed Up Kitchen Tasks with a Grater and Peeler

Two tools that will save you time in the kitchen are a swivel peeler and a box grater. A high-quality stainless steel peeler quickly and efficiently peels vegetables with minimal waste. A box grater offers multiple options for coarse and fine grating, slicing, and zesting. These tools are essential for fast, precise kitchen work.

🍗 Roasting and Baking Trays: Affordable Kitchen Essentials

A sturdy roasting and baking tray is invaluable for preparing everything from whole birds to bread. The more solid the tray, the longer it will last without buckling. These trays are versatile and affordable, making them a kitchen staple. A tip for ripening fruit: place unripe fruit in a bag with a banana, and store it in a dark place.

Keywords

💡Saucepan

A saucepan is a deep pan used for cooking liquids, sauces, or boiling ingredients. In the video, it is suggested that you only need two pans—a medium-sized one and a large one—for versatility in tasks like making sauces or cooking pasta. The emphasis is on the importance of choosing pans with heavy bottoms to prevent burning and ensure even heat distribution.

💡Knife

Knives are essential tools in any kitchen, and the video highlights three main types: a heavy-duty chopping knife, a small paring knife, and a serrated knife. These knives cover all the basic needs of cutting, chopping, and slicing. The grip of the handle is emphasized for better control and comfort, improving the overall cooking experience.

💡Pestle and mortar

A pestle and mortar is a traditional kitchen tool used to grind spices and prepare pastes or dressings. The video describes it as a versatile and essential tool for maximizing flavor in dishes. It mentions that a large circumference bowl and a heavy base ensure durability and effectiveness in grinding ingredients.

💡Frying pan

A frying pan is a shallow pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. The video recommends choosing an ovenproof frying pan with a metal handle, which allows for transferring dishes directly from the stovetop to the oven. The focus is on versatility, making it ideal for preparing a wide range of dishes, from meats to eggs.

💡Casserole dish

A casserole dish is a heavy, deep dish, often made of cast iron, used for slow-cooking meals. In the video, it is praised for its versatility, as it can be used on the stovetop and then transferred to the oven for extended cooking at low heat. The dish is a long-lasting investment that enhances the quality of home-cooked meals.

💡Chopping board

A chopping board is a flat surface on which food is cut or prepared. The video recommends a heavy-duty wooden board, as it is durable and long-lasting. Proper care, such as oiling the board and avoiding prolonged exposure to water, ensures it remains a valuable kitchen tool.

💡Peeler

A peeler is a kitchen tool used to remove the outer layer of fruits or vegetables. The video describes a 'speed peeler,' which is quick, efficient, and minimizes waste. It emphasizes the importance of a sharp, stainless steel blade and a comfortable grip for ease of use.

💡Grater

A grater is a kitchen tool used to shred or grate foods into small pieces. The video highlights the versatility of a box grater, which comes with different blades for coarse, fine, and super-fine grating, as well as slicing. It is useful for tasks like zesting lemons, grating cheese, and shredding onions.

💡Baking scales

Baking scales are devices used to measure ingredients accurately, a crucial step in baking. The video emphasizes the importance of precise measurements when following recipes and recommends using digital scales, which can easily switch between different units like grams and ounces, to ensure baking success.

💡Roasting tray

A roasting tray is a flat, rectangular pan used for roasting meats or baking foods in the oven. The video describes it as a versatile tool, ideal for roasting whole birds or making bread. A sturdy roasting tray will last long and perform well under heat, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen.

Highlights

You don't need expensive equipment for cooking; basic essentials are enough.

Two saucepans, medium and large, are sufficient for most cooking needs.

A small pan is great for sauces, heating liquids, or cooking rice.

A large pan is perfect for pastas, stews, and bulk cooking.

Choose saucepans made from materials like copper to stainless steel based on your needs.

A heavy-bottomed saucepan conducts more heat, reducing the risk of burning food.

Invest in good quality saucepans that will last for years.

Three essential knives for a kitchen: a heavy-duty chopping knife, a small pairing knife, and a serrated edge knife.

Hold the knife to ensure comfort and control before purchasing.

A good knife handle provides a firm grip and control over the blade.

A pestle and mortar are versatile and essential for grinding spices and making sauces.

Choose a pestle and mortar with a large circumference for easier grinding.

A frying pan is versatile for searing, cooking, and even finishing dishes in the oven.

Look for an ovenproof frying pan with a metal handle for professional cooking.

Digital scales are essential for accurate baking, converting between different measurement systems.

A long-handled SI ensures easy use in mixing bowls or pans.

A casserole dish is versatile for stovetop and oven cooking, and cast iron retains heat well.

Chopping boards are essential; choose a heavy-duty one for durability.

A swivel peeler is a quick and efficient tool for peeling vegetables.

A box grater is versatile for grating, zesting, and slicing various ingredients.

Roasting trays are cheap and versatile for baking and roasting.

Use a two-handled roasting tray for easy handling and roasting whole birds.

Place unripe fruit in a paper bag with a banana to speed up the ripening process.

Transcripts

[Music]

cooking grap food doesn't mean you have

to spend a fortune on fancy equipment

get some Basic Essentials and you'll be

set in the kitchen sauce pants I mean

basically you don't need a collection of

10 all you need really is two a

mediumsized one followed by a large one

a small Pan's great for sources heating

liquids or rice whereas your large pan

gives you space perfect for pastas stews

or when you're cooking in bulk which

keeps cost down made from copper to

stainless steel find what's right for

you and always get a lid which helps

heat the pan up as quickly as

possible and the secret behind a great

sauce punin is the heavier the bottom

the more heat it will conduct the

thinner the bottom the more chance

you've got actually burning your food

buy the best sauce buns you can afford

take good care of them and they'll last

you years saving you money in the long

run this is my quick guide to kitchen

knives basically need three knives a

heavy duty chopping knife followed by a

small pairing knife which is brilliant

for for prepping vegetables and then

this baby here a serrated edge knife for

carving and slicing basically that is

it before you buy a knife hold it in

your hand and make sure it feels right

for

you the secret behind a great set of

knives is in the handle if you're

comfortable holding the handle your

cutting is going to be so much easier

the firmer the grip the better the

chopping the heavier the handle the more

control you've got over the blade with

these three knives you can't go wrong to

get the most out of your spices there's

only one piece of kit that you need

pestil and water I mean they look

fantastic and it's essential for any

good kitchen these things are so

versatile these ancient kitchen tools

are perfect for everything from pesto to

dressings and cost them around 15 quid

used to grind spices and you'll max out

on Flavor get perfect textures and

always be totally in control make sure

you got a nice large circumference of

the

bowl so you can grind away the heavier

the more durable they are the more

confidence it gives you when you're

pounding and there's almost a way of

confirming homemade hand pounded grab

yourself a pesel and mortar and soon

you'll be spicing with

[Music]

ease frying

pan for me one of my favorites why cuz

it's so versatile whether you're searing

the most amazing rack of lamb cooking

duck breast soing chicken or even a

quick omelette or even find an egg all

in

one look for an ovenproof frying pan

with a metal handle if you want to cook

like pros by finishing off your dish in

the oven or under a Hot Grill just don't

forget when you take it out the handle

will be hot if you can get a high

quality non-stick one with a thick heavy

base which will distribute the heat

evenly

brilliant here's my quick guide to two

Essentials you need for baking scales in

a

SI baking is so popular now these scales

are absolutely essential especially when

you have to follow the recipe to the

exact gram these digital scales are so

easy to follow they can convert from

pounds and ounces to kilos and grams and

more importantly so much easier to use

than your mama's old weights absolutely

perfect a SI make sure you get one with

a long handle and balancing hooks so you

can rest it over your mixing bowl or a

pan easy thing to have in the drawer

cost nothing but it's so effective

especially with baking with the these

two pieces of Kit you'll definitely be

on the right road to baking like a

[Music]

pro casserole

dish absolutely essential when it comes

to good home cooking why so versatile

the beauty of this thing is the fact

that you can actually use it on the hob

or start it on the hob and finish it in

the oven more importantly cast iron it

conducts the heat so you can have the

gas on absolute minimal or the oven down

to its absolute lowest setting and the

thing will just cook naturally casserole

dishes are surprisingly versatile and a

great investment you only need one and

if you look after it it will last you a

lifetime brilliant for one pop

wonders chopping boards for brunch one

of the most useful things is a great

chopping board get the right one and

it'll be your friend for life I prefer a

sort of heavy duty one because they're

so much more durable they can be flipped

over the minute you want to go from

vegetables to prepping fish or meat

always keep a little j-cloth underneath

that actually stops the board from

sliding careful your wooden board by

rubbing it with oil every so often any

cooking oil will do wooden boards for me

are always the best easy to clean and

longlasting when you do wash your wooden

board never let it stand in water or put

it in the dishwasher as it may split buy

the best you can afford and take good

care of

it when it comes to Simple Cooking there

are two basic bits of kit I'm never

without that will save you time and

effort in the kitchen a grater and a

peeler the swivel peeler a stainless

steel one absolutely incredible it's

almost like a lifesaver in the kitchen

because they are so quick so light

swivel blade they got so much more

flexibility actually go around the

vegetable and we call it a speed peeler

in the professional kitchen because it

does literally

absolutely rapidly peels your vegetables

you have minimal

waste good peelers cost from a couple of

quid and are great for everything from

peel veg to finally slicing cheese and

making shs of chocolate a good

comfortable grip and a sharp stainless

steel blade ensures you'll always work

fast the Box grater is another great

versatile kitchen tool and with its ples

for coarse grating fine grating and

super fine as well as blades for slicing

it's perfect for everything from puring

Ginger and zesting lemons to shredding

onions super small so they can cariz in

a Flash and be sure to get a solid

handle to hold it firm and it's got such

volume volume inside it doesn't crush

anything up so I always prefer to grate

onto a tray or into a bowl so you don't

have to move it again grating onto the

board you've always got to lift it up

and place it in so Place The Grater into

a bowl and gr two simple but essential

Speedy bits of Kit guaranteed to make

your life in the kitchen

[Music]

easier roasting and baking

[Music]

tray these things so versatile great for

baking whole fish on fantastic for

making Breads and so

cheap a classic two-handled roasting

tray brilliant for roasting whole Birds

finishing sauces gravies on top of the

stove over the Gast ring burner again

versatile the more solid your trays are

the better then they won't buckle and

they will last cheap but seriously

essential if you have fruit that's not

perfectly ripe the tip is to put a

banana in a paper bag then add your

unripe fruit put it in a dark place