my kitchen survival list

While I continue to build up, what I like to call, my kitchen survival list, I have come to realize that everyone has pretty much the same nine or ten "tools" plus a few to fit their cooking style.

This is my list.

A chef's knife - Your chef's knife is your best friend in the kitchen. I use a 8" blade, but as important as the blade is, the handle is just that important. The handle should fit comfortably in your hand, you want your knife to be an extension of your hand.

A pairing knife - A pairing knife is used for more precision cutting, I use a 3" blade.

A wooden or plastic cutting board
Balsamic vinegar
Extra Virgin olive oil
fresh garlic
yellow and red onions
ground pepper
salt

Now, the next list are things I always make sure to have but aren't necessities in YOUR kitchen.

A Mandolin - A Mandolin is like the long blade on a cheese grater, but extremely sharp. I like to use a mandolin when I have to do a lot of precision cutting and I don't want to take all day. The one I have has three different sizes allowing for different size cuts.

garlic salt
crushed pepper flakes
teriyaki sauce
dried diced challots - I found these at Cost Plus World Market
dried oregano
a few cans of tomato sauce and paste
garlic infused olive oil, which I also found at Cost Plus.

Recently, I added a fish spatula and a cast iron skillet. I can't wait to break them in!!

My list is by no means finished, a good chef's list should be constantly growing and changing. I am always on the look out for that something to take my cooking to the next level.