After several weeks in quarantine, you may be tired of baking bread and making pasta, but that doesn't mean it isn't the perfect time to continue experimenting in the kitchen and improving your skills as a chef.
At CNN Underscored we have asked several experts which accessories they consider essential in the kitchen and which products have broadened their culinary horizons.
The first, and most important, is that even if you don't believe it, you don't have to have the most advanced technology or incredibly specialized products.
For Daniel Salas, managers of the gastronomy portal Cocinillas, the main thing is to have good knives and utensils to cut "It is better to invest in a good knife than to throw money into four bad ones and although they are in fashion, it is better not to buy Japanese knives because they are not a good option for almost anyone. They are only sharpened on one side and are not used the same ”, he explains. Salas also points out the need for a good peeler, because it saves a lot of time. Once the basics are covered, accessories such as a crock-pot or a sous vide cooking machine can lead you to discover much more interesting dishes than the usual ones.
The same is the opinion of Iker Morán, head of the La Gulateca website. "The highly specialized devices that have only one use (blenders, bakeries, yogurt makers ...) unless you are really very fond of something, after a few months of madness they tend to be cornered," he explains. Instead, he recommends investing in good knives, good cutting boards, and good pans and casseroles. "I am not very of the kitchen robots but there are true fans who use it to do everything," he adds.
Taking into account their recommendations, we have selected some basic products that will make cooking much easier and faster or that will open up new culinary horizons.
Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife ($ 35.95; amazon.com)
A reliable 8-inch knife that will last for many years if you take good care of it. Made in Switzerland, stainless steel and with a lifetime guarantee.
Idahone Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod ($ 38.90; amazon.com)
The secret to a knife cutting well is to always keep it sharp. Use this ceramic sharpener every three to four cutting sessions to keep the edge sharp like the first day.
Oxo And Peeler ($ 9.99; amazon.com)
A peeler saves a lot of time in the kitchen and you can make very creative cuts on all kinds of vegetables. This is ergonomic and very reliable.
Mandolin KitchenAid ($ 14.44; amazon.com)
Like the peeler, a mandolin saves a lot of time when you have to cut a tomato or potato into slices. This is small but it cuts precisely and in all kinds of thicknesses. It also stores easily and is very easy to clean.
OXO Cutting Board, Set of 2 ($ 34.00; amazon.com)
It is essential to have a good wooden or plastic base (antibacterial) to cut. The cutting boards must be heavy or have good support so that they do not move when using it, like these from Oxo which also have a channel to collect food juices.
Braun MQ505 Multiquick Hand Blender ($ 60; amazon.com)
A hand mixer can be much more versatile than a stand model. It can be placed in a wide variety of glasses and casseroles and is easily stored once it is finished cooking.
Anova Sous Vide Nano Cooker ($ 96.98; amazon.com)
Cooking with the sous vide technique is easy and the best way to get meat at its perfect point. It is the best kept secret in restaurant kitchens.
Vacuum Sealer Machine By Mueller ($ 60; amazon.com)
If you are going to cook sous vide, you will need to vacuum the food but a vacuum packaging machine is also useful for storing food you do not consume for longer.
Crock-Pot 8 quart Manual Slow Cooker ($ 45.64; amazon.com)
Slow cookers have become a kitchen classic and for good reason. If planned well, they can solve an entire family's dinner with minimal effort. They are also a good way to safely prepare recipes that would otherwise require continual attention to the oven or stove. This includes a small separate pot for dips and sauces.
Cedarlane Bellini ($ 399; amazon.com)
Those who try a food processor immediately become fans of the idea. It is a single device that can do all kinds of tasks in the kitchen, cutting down the time we spend preparing and heating the ingredients. The famous Thermomix is perhaps the best known, but this Cedarlane alternative may be a better option for testing the virtues. Whisk, cut, knead and can also heat everything while doing it.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.