Key OS kit i should buy today?

findingmyownway

Hey

I've made my shopping list and am going to brave the supermarket later. Decided to learn to make 'spicy mushroom and noodle stirfry', 'vegetable curry' and 'veggie shephards pie' this week - all recepies from t'internet. All other meals will be from the stuff already in cupboards/freezer.

Before i go - is there any equipement i should be getting? I dont think im quite up to slow-cooker standard yet. I guess a hand-whisk type thing could be useful. And im going to get some plastic boxes for my baking ingredients (currently spilling flour everytime i open the cupboard!) and some for the freezer. I'm going to a massive asda if that makes a difference...

ellas9602

hello :hello:

I'm not sure a hand whisk is neccesary though others may beg to differ and some people swear by those hand hand blenders for soups (I think they are about a fiver) but I manage without. Whisking and mixing in my house is done with a fork. Try to build your collection gradually and you'll soon learn what you need and what you can do without. Freezer tubs are a good idea for batch cooking but also try to wash and save shop bought containers. If you have pans (inc good frying pan) and something oven-proof for sheperds pie and things like that. Try to utilise what you have and you'll be just fine to get the OS ball rolling.

Donna x

lynzpower

Personally, I wouldnt bother buying much.

I use those plastic trays you get mushrooms in for "filing" my bags of flour/ spices etc

As lojng as youve got a knife and some pans, and yes, a decent ish frying pan then I wouldnt bother.

However, I couldnt live without my stick blender. Dont buy a "value" one ,Ive had 2 die on me. Ive got the cheapest braun one now ( was a tenner, but I had a voucher for money off ) and its much better. I do hoummous, and soups, and thicken gravy & sauces with it.

I also use old jam jars etc for putting spices and bits in, nice & clear and free too!

Gaia

Use old margerine, ice cream etc containers for freezing meals or storing food in the fridge. I'd recommend buying some sticky labels so that you can label them with contents and date.

mah_jong

I gree with the above, part of the OS ethos is making do.... so reuse, reinvent what you already have! In time you may want to organise things better but then you will know exactly what you want. I got some lakeland containers this year and finally dumped the flora and stork containers that I had used for years! But thereewas nothing wrong with those, I would still use them if I needed to (once the contents have been used!)

As long as you have a sharp knife, pot and a stove of some sorts you are on your way!!

Gaia

A slow cooker is fantastic - and if you can get one in the sales even better! There are lots of threads here with recipes. You can put it on all day/overnight and come home to a hot meal. You can cook cheaper cuts of meat. It saves on cooking costs (gas/electric) 'cos it uses the power of a lightbulb!

moggins

I would definitely recommend a hand blender, they do make life so much easier. I'd also say don't go for a cheapie one. You think you're saving because they cost less than a fiver but they only last 5 minutes. It's worth spending a bit more for one that lasts a few years.

lil_me

Good scales, that are accurate, I bought some electronic ones in the Instore sales this week for £6 and it is much better than my old one. I was finding recipes went wrong but was a lot down to the inaccuracy of the scales.

I have the Braun multi blender, chops and whisks aswell, got it when my son was a baby (who is 8 next week) and is still going strong, I have cracked 2 of the tubs which came with it but just use something else.

My slow cooker I did buy because of this site and I wouldn't be without it now. I haddn't cooked like this before and a slow cooker has made things quicker and easier, I throw it all in on a morning and it's ready by tea time.

Tubs I do reuse but have bought some which were 10 for £1 in Poundland, same as they use in most takeaways made of plastic and are ideal size for me and my freezer and easy to store as they are stackable. Also can go in microwave Handy for lentil, barley etc too as they are airtight.

A good cheap basket/box, or even a cardboard box (plenty around this time of year) to keep everything upright in the cupboard then if anything spills it's in the box.

LJM

good cookworks slowcooker 3.5l in sale at argos £8.99 bargain

apple_mint

Some mixing bowls in a range of sizes is useful if you are planning to bake or make some things from scratch. I started off with plastic ones (cheapies) and then picked up odds at car boot sales. Also a good measuring jug. I also bought a set of those cheap measuring spoons you see hanging on the end of shelves in supermarkets for a pound - not necessary but useful.

I have a braun hand blender too - very useful for soups and blizzing a slice of bread for breadcrumbs.

As above, some scales, a couple of good kitchen knives and some pans.

My non stick baking sheets are also in constant use.

I picked up OS kitchen stuff a bit at a time - mostly from car boot sales.

apple_mint

Oh ... and my OS style must ... a spatula for getting every last bit of the cake mix out the bowl!