Stock your kitchen for winter with these must-have gadgets, appliances and pantry staples…
When it comes to appliances, gadgets and cookware, every winter kitchen needs a:
• Fondue set – melt the cheese, dip the bread and enjoy the ultimate in fuss-free comfort eating; available in stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic and even copper.
• Soup ladle – there are ladles and there are ladles; opt for a stainless steel one with a hooked end and a slightly angled, easy-to-grip handle (to help keep it from slipping into the pot) and also a pouring rim to prevent drips.
• Slow cooker – because there’s nothing more comforting than a meal that’s been cooking for hours, developing rich, robust flavours.
• Pressure cooker – for when you don’t have hours to wait for something to cook and need it ready a lot quicker, but still with amazing flavour.
• Potjie pot – Potjiekos literally means ‘pot food’ and is uniquely South African. If you are looking for something a little different from the standard black pot, there are enamel ones on the market too, in various colours.
• Stick blender – a must for making sauces, purees and blending soups.
• French press – an absolute essential for any caffeine lover, plus they’re sophisticated and fancy-looking.
• Pasta machine – there’s really no comparison between fresh pasta and the store-bought kind; choose one with adjustable rollers and multiple settings.
• Stock pot – to make wholesome broths, stocks and delicious soups.
• Cast-iron cookware – available in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as an array of colours, for stewing, braising and simmering up the most tender curries and stews.
• Roasting pans – roasting brings out the full, savoury flavours of meat and, of course, gives you the basics to make great gravy.
• Teapot (with infuser) – there are several materials to choose from here, such as glass, porcelain, clay and cast iron, but ceramic comes out tops because it offers a higher heat retention than many other materials, plus glazed ceramic teapots don’t absorb flavours, so you can brew various teas using a single teapot.
• Flask or travel mug – for that essential ‘kick-start’ to the day; just make sure it’s well-insulated and leak-proof.
Essential winter ingredients – there are so many, but these are a must:
• Citrus fruit – see them as little balls of sunshine and immune-boosting goodness.
• Root vegetables – potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, beetroot, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, etc; perfect for roasting and making delicious soups and stews.
• Warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, turmeric and cloves.
• Meat cuts for stews, casseroles and soups, such as lamb neck, beef shin, short rib and brisket,.
• Cheese – the melting kind, for fondues and done raclette style (melted and scraped onto a waiting hot potato).
• Cannellini beans, red kidney beans and chickpeas (dried and/or canned).
• Lentils (red or brown); both are great in soups.
• Quinoa, barley, couscous and other grains make great thickening agents in stews.
• Tea – Rooibos, of course, but also other winter flavours like ginger, orange, apple, cinnamon and chai.
• Hot chocolate, not forgetting the marshmallows and whipped cream (and a mighty mug you can wrap your hands around)
• Red wine, complete with aerator, beautiful decanter and ‘double the volume’ glasses.
Can you think of more ‘winter kitchen essentials’ to add to our list? Share them here…
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