By: Erin Kukura, MS, RD
UCSD Recreation Dietitian
Many of us have started cooking more during this COVID time. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned chef, it is helpful to have your kitchen stocked with the essentials:
- Pots & Pans: Having a saucepan and a frying pan are key kitchen essentials. Whether you’re making eggs, soup, chicken or salmon these utensils are key for the majority of cooking needs.
- Baking Pan: Great for sheet-pan meals or baking cookies
- Can opener:
- Spatula:
- Mixing Bowls:
- Measuring cups & Spoons:
- Mixing spoons:
- Cutting Board: For food safety it’s best to have one for meats and another for produce or other cooked foods.
- Knives: Chef’s knife, paring knife, and bread knife can help to make cutting easier
- Baking Dish: Great for casseroles, enchiladas and making larger portions
- Glass Tupperware: Great to store leftovers or use to pack meals for work/class.
Extras:
- Blender: Make your own smoothies, or blend part of soup to make it smoother!
- Toaster oven: Useful when you want to bake smaller items or to avoid turning on the oven.
- Electric kettle: Heat up hot water for coffee or tea!
- Instant pot / slow cooker: Great for easy meal prep!
- Food processor: Make your own sauces, pesto and more!
- Dutch oven: Great for stews, or cooking on the stove and finishing off in the oven
- Zester: Adds so much flavor!
If you’re looking for some great recipe resources to try out some of these products, here are a few sites I recommend:
To learn more about meal planning or other nutrition questions you can schedule an appointment with Erin at: https://recreation.ucsd.edu/wellness-services/nutrition/
