Oh, I totally agree, there are definitely specialty items you just can't get here. Shipping is just totally outrageous as well. No Target in Fbx yet, eh? Oh, and Anchorage now has Kohl's as well....
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Posted 1 year ago #
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@juliarose - what part of Alaska are you heading for?
@juliarose, @lisetiffner, and @pkilmain - in Juneau we have Costco, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Walmart and that's it. No department stores, no clothing stores, no malls (technically we have 2 malls, but they are not what most people would call a mall). Internet shopping is the way to go. Most of my in-person shopping waits for travel to Anchorage or Seattle.Posted 1 year ago # -
I have to second the Pyrex measuring bowls with lids and spouts, so useful for microwaving veg, baking, storing leftovers etc. I didn't have one till a few years ago and can't believe I managed without for so long :) And those silicone spatulas, ditto. Another good source of inspiration is camping equipment, camping shops have stacking saucepan sets, folding colanders, stuff like that, very handy for the bare minimum and we can fit everything we need into our van in 2 smallish cupboards and a drawer, and that's for 4 of us including a stovetop espresso maker, kettle, toaster for when we have electricity, stuff like that. Oh, and a stick blender, couldn't manage without one of those plus the little attachment bowl for making breadcrumbs and stuff like that. Not for camping obviously, just everyday cooking!
It sounds kind of nice living somewhere with limited shops, I'm sure it must drive you Alaskans crazy sometimes though :)Posted 1 year ago # -
Here's what I use to cook 90% of my meals:
- skillet (non-stick)
- small/medium pot with lid (could probably live without the medium one)
- vegetable steaming inset (for small/medium pot, same inset fits both)
- large/small chief's knife (large for meats, small for vegetables/fruits)
- large/small plastic cutting board (large for meats, small for vegetables/fruits)
- stainless steel mixing bowl (for mixing omelets, dressings, etc.)
- a pair of plastic tongs (for handling food in the skillet)
- a large plastic spoon (for stirring in mixing bowl and pots)Used less often, but still useful:
- a plastic whisk (often I just use a fork)
- a flat (takes up less space) grater ("grating" can also be done with a knife)
- a ladle (could be *very* useful if you make soups or sauces...)
- a can opener (well, I guess you need this if you intend to prepare canned foods...)In addition to some plates, glasses, forks, knives, spoons and bowls for eating, I also have a few microwave-safe plastic containers with air-tight lid for storing prepared foods in the fridge.
Hm... Now I just realized I can probably clear out half the stuff in my kitchen drawers...
Posted 1 year ago # -
don’t keep equipment you need very rare, just enough plates and cups, pots, knives , bowl , spoon and thats all :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
Nothing to add that hasn't already been said better, but as another single and down-sizing person, nice thread. Will definitely check out the Stone Soup site; that one's new to me
I am tempted to get one of these thingies (http://www.redisetgo.com/), as I think it would help me to have hot meals with also better portion control, but have managed to hold off so far LOL
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'll be moving into my first apartment in a few months and this thread has been very helpful for the opposite of decluttering an existing kitchen--starting a brand new one! Having lived in the dorms for all 4 years with access to communal kitchens I have accumulated a hodgepodge of cheap and minimal cooking implements:
- stockpot (mostly used for cooking pasta, though it has known the occasional batch of chili)
- large nonstick frying pan
- medium saucepan
- santoku (chef's) knife that can be used for everything, though when cooking with a buddy I've thought it would be nice to have a second
- plastic cutting board
- wooden spoon, slotted spoon, spatula & ladle
- liquid and solid measuring cups, as well as spoons (though I use the latter two relatively infrequently)
- 2 mixing bowls, large and medium
- can opener
- corkscrew
- plus basic knives, forks, spoons, plates, bowls and cups which can be used in a huge variety of creative ways (fork=whisk, potato masher, tongs, etc.)Most are in horrifying condition, having been procured at the local Wal-Mart, and desperately need to be replaced. But I have been able to make everything from spaghetti to fully composed meals with side dishes, sauces, etc. with this equipment. Happy to hear all the advice about what's worth hanging onto or investing in.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Don't forget your spices. They can be reduced into ziploc bags if needed, to save weight or space, but can make all the differece in making your recipes work well.
I also seem to use my 8.5 x 11" Pyrex rectangular baking pan a lot. This is an item that has been a staple of every kitchen I have set up since the '70's, through moves that took less than a truckload to make. I also have one a size smaller that works in the microwave and might be more versitile for a single cook.Posted 1 year ago # -
You may want to have a paring knife and a vegetable peeler, in addition to your chef's knife. Imo, I would not be willing to have just one knife....glad to hear that you like to cook a variety of things. Enjoy!
Posted 1 year ago #
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