essential kitchen equipment for veggies

[angel]

What do you consider to be vital kitchen equipment for vegetarian cooking?

Two things for me, one is a steamer insert, it is like a metal fan shape on legs that sits in a sauce pan so you have put enough water underneath it, then pop the lid on top to steam veggies. It is adjustable so fits any size pan and cost me £5. Easiest steaming ever and ensures I am more likely to steam than boil because it is so easy.

The other is a hand-held blender to blitz soups and sauces. No messing, easy cleaned.. zip, bang, bosh - cost me £20.

[MerdeCat]

Well angel, I have both of those essentials. Guess I'm set.

I agree on knives and a good stock pot.

[Green-Moo]

I wouldn't be without my large soup pot & my blender. I use both nearly every day.

I'd like a decent steamer. I had one once but it was really cheap & got so hot that it burnt the veg sat on it, which I'm sure isn't supposed to happen.

I've just invested in some original Kilner jars for preserving. I'd love a proper pressure canner but I can't afford one just now.

[trick-r-treat]

I also need to get a steamer - I have been just boiling my veggies the old-fashioned way, and I tend to overcook them.

[angel]

I also need to get a steamer - I have been just boiling my veggies the old-fashioned way, and I tend to overcook them.


you know an easy way to steam vegetables in to use a metal sieve over the top of a saucepan, just put the lid on the top of the sieve. It doesn't seal it as well as a proper steamer inset but it works.

[riskey58]

Well I do have a hand blender and use it all the time. I did have a steamer, but don't have it anymore. Guess I will have to go buy one.

[reviewer]

I recommend a santoku type knife. I find it's really handy for chopping veggies and fruit - anything from root vegetables to tomatoes to melons.

[clownsinc]

Santoku Knife
Paring Knife
Cutting Board
Bowl for soaking legumes
pressure cooker (saves time)
Food Processor
Wok
Salad Bowl (could be same one used for soaking)

[urs1]

It's not REALLY essential but I bought a carnival glass huge salad bowl and matching shell shaped salad plates. It makes summer salads look so great!

I couldn't live without my wok. I have a great sreamer pot and it only cost aobut $6 US. I love that thing!

[frankie1]

My grill! I grill everything I can. Other than that, sharp paring knives and a really good cutting board and over the sink colander.

[rerere]

Sharp knives! chopping veggies with a rubbish knife is torture :) I also couldn't live without my rice cooker. Perfect rice everytime.

[urs1]

What kind of rice cooker do you use?

I remembered one. I can't live without my soup cooker. That poor thing works so hard all fall and winter that I almost feel as though I should send it on a holiday!

[rerere]

I use a Breville rice cooker - it just works and works. The first one I had was just a cheapy - and although it did rice well - it didn't like to be washed ;) The insert non stick etc just ceased to exist after a few months (or less).
I have a suop cooker my nana gave me - but I just can't do good soup in it --- your only supposed to put a little water in it...is this right?

[Lyndsey]

The steamer was more important to me before I tried to go more raw food. Now a juicer and a processor that has disks for doing fine slicing are my best friends in the kitchen.

[frankie1]

I'll have to look into getting a rice cooker as well. We eat a LOT of rice around here. All different sorts. Does it do all kinds well or just a few specific kinds?