Pareezay

So for someone starting all new and buying stuff for their kitchen, what are the things you guys would recommend? What kind of appliances are great to have? How about cookwares, silverwares, masalas, etc etc? Which brands (electronics/etc) do you prefer? These days there's sooooooo much to choose from, even if you go on different websites, you'll see so many options that it becomes difficult to select one.

shweetdreamz

a two in one food processor/blender
a nice set of dinnerware/silverware (should incluse rice serving trays) I got mine from pakistan and they have beautiful stuff. i also recommend getting nice table mats/runners from pakistan (bareeze has some)
an everyday set of dinnerware/silverware
a glass jug
A set of good quality knives. or just get one really good knife..it makes a world of a difference when chopping stuff. also a peeler is very important.
A grinder for grinding masalas...I also took my mom's mortar and pestle because I love grinding up fresh garlic in it.
masalas depend on what kind of food you eat (btw I saw this spice rack in macys from martha stewart that rotates ...costs around $37...the spices are included. I thought it was a good buy)
and lots of plastic boxes (lunch boxes, storage containers of varying sizes to store food in). also a food strainer, shredder, cutting board etc
a set of saucepans; small (for tea) medium and large. a small frying pan and a large one (or a wok)

Macys, ikea are great if you dont want to spend too much. for electronice brands I have a foor processor/blender by cuisinart and I like it.

somegroovychick

if you're into baking, then a stand mixer makes life sooo much easier! i have the kitchen aid one and its made my baking a hell of a lot easier and quicker.

Sara516

I found this list a few months back and posted it in this forum, I think it's kinda helpful b/c it breaks the list down according to your lifestyle

Tools to Outfit Your Kitchen

mysti

i love my non-stick skillet.. its amazing for breakfasts and everything.. i dnt even need to use oil while making pancakes and i love it

Niksik

Don't forget your masalas and chai ki pattis

X2

a chef?

amana

^ LOL, I need to let my hubby know that my kitchen is not yet fully outfitted

X2

listen you ...moved-to-my-city-and-not-even-bothered-to-say-hello-person, dont steal my idea of a properly outfitted kitchen!!!!!

Pareezay

thanks everyone!

which one? sounds amazing!

shaan and national masalas, tapal danedar, lipton

i am the chef.. an expert one too if i may add

X2

prove it by making some kebabs freezing them and sending them over.

Aliyish

A laptop for latest GS gossips

Pareezay

i am not willing to risk my expert chef reputation by sending kebabs which will get ruined during the multiple days transit how about i send a check and the recipe so you can buy everything there and make them.

Pareezay

that i have already!

Sara516

oh haye, i need a little radio player, so i can listen to my music while I chop and stir

amana

who me? we didn't move to your city - we are still only touristas to your lovely city - they wouldn't hire me too, so we had to stay in podunk-ville and make more money :-(

Had a great time at Sabri last weekend, though

Sara516

njgal

shay - I would start by kitchen size. If you are going to be in a an apartment or condo then you can get some multitasking small appliances. You can skip things that are going to take too much of your counter space or cabinet space.

I would also gauge how much cooking you do. Do you cook everyday? Couple times a week? Are you big baking person? Do you cook desi food? Are you going to make roti or not?

I think "Kitchen must haves" are as individual as the person themselves. But here's a quick list

1. Toaster (something that would fit in 4 slices and a bagel as well)
2. Blender and Food Processor Combo (cusiinart makes a good one)
3. A Panini/Griddle/Sandwich maker combo - just repalce out the plates (Bed Bath and Beyond)
4. Coffe Grinder (cuisinart) - which can be used as a masala grinder
5. Kettle (electronic is best if you drink 3 or more cups of chai a day)
6. Cutlery and silverware (oneida)
7. Cookware - I replace mine every 2 years. So I opt to get the cheaper ones.
8. A set of glasses for water and juice
9. A set of nice canisters
10. Tuperware

bhenjee

I will agree with most of the ladies who have put in their 2 cents.

If you are new to cooking I would suggest you to get a non-stick cookware set (T-fal, kitchen aid, any other trustworthy brand). I have a non-stick one by some Philipee smthng, which was a wedding gift. But I have been cooking for many years and the non-stick doesn't do justice to my culinary skills. I have a stainless steel one by cuisinart, I totally love it. The only thing, you should polish it time after time so it still looks pretty.

Get a food processor/blender combo that everyone has suggested. I have them separate. The blender is just this black and decker one, no probs so far. The food processer is a kitchenaid one.. I would give it 10 stars. I just don't use it very often, Im pretty happy with my knife skills so it never really gets to the food processor as such.. (except when im making koftay / seekh kabab)

A coffee grinder, very very essential for coarse or fine grinding your masalas

The kitchenaid standmixer is also a good investment if you enjoy baking/ bread making/ or even making roti dough. Make sure you get the one with the heavier wattage if you're a refined baker. I got the cheapest available. It works very good but the motor is not as slow at the slowest speed and the faster the paddle, the more bubbles, and your dough becomes granite... I use this machine almost every other day and if I have the money, I would totally go out and get the better model.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: a VERY sharp knife and a HUGE chopping board. I have a few Henckels and kitchenaid ones. The kitchenaid ones weren't as good. I also invested in a knife sharpener, an affordable henckels one which is my HG stuff in the kitchen!

for casual dinnerware, we just have these Corelle ones. I have this other formal one by don't rem who.. have only used it once

For flatware, just go to ikea for casual everyday use, and some gold/silver plated ones for more formal use. I just got one of those packed boxes from jc penneys

Other little things like : a set of different sized mesh strainers, spoon rest, cooking spoons. If you're opting with non-stick cookware, get only the plastic/ wood ones. Other metallic ones will obv scratch your pots.

Glasses, coffee mugs and some icecream bowls wouldn't hurt. Also bigger serving bowls for salans, a dish or 2 for rice/ pasta. Salan serving spoons..

A large stainless steel mixing bowl. Trust me, you will need it alllllllll the time. A couple medium sized plastic ones too (which you could just get from a dollar store). Everytime you're whipping up smthng, or marinating meat, or keema, these bowls, you can't do without!

You could also visit your local chinatown. theymostly have cute little soup serving sets on good deals

For masalas, I went to our local dollar store, got like 3- 4 dozens or so little containers and bought all the various masalas from desi / bulk stores. Larger containers for lentils and even larger ones for various flours/ rice/ sugar etc..

A box each of clear wrap/ aluminum foil/ parchment paper (even garbage bags)

oh and a good sized garbage can..

all I could think of... hope this helps

Pareezay

njgal and bhenjee, you guys are amazing!!! thanks so much!