Basic Kitchen Essentials

 Basic Kitchen Essentials:

(This is a basic suggestion list)

Who could use this List??? Well....just about everyone!
Newly Engaged couples could use this list to compile their gift/wedding registry. It's also great idea for college students & singles. Or.... just use to  replace missing items from your kitchen gallery. I take inventory about every 6 months to replace broken or needed items.

Basic Set of dishes, service for 6-8 minimum, (up to 12)

set should include: Dinner plate, bowl &/or salad plate,

Coffee cup with or without saucers

Serving Bowls/Dishes in several sizes

Casserole Dishes with Lids, several sizes

(*Colors should blend nicely with your dishes)

Pitchers for Drinks 
Gravy Boats, 1 or 2

Sugar and Creamer containers

Salt and Pepper shakers or mills

Silverware, service for 6, 8 or 12

Serving utensils, to match

such as spoons, forks, serving spatulas

Drinking Glasses 6-12, in two sizes

Wine Glasses, 12-24 

(*You may choose to use different sizes, white & red wine glasses) 

Various cocktail & beer glasses to suit your needs

Baking and Roasting pans:

12-15" open roasting pan 

9x13 baking pan, 1 or more; metal, glass, stoneware

5x9 bread pan, 2 in metal, glass or stoneware

2 - 8 or 9" round layer cake pans

2 - 8 or 9" square layer cake pans

1- 8 or 9" round cake pan

1 - 8 or 9" square cake pan

1 - 9 or 10" tube pan

Bundt Style pan, 1 02 more

Cookie sheets, 2 or more

8-10" Pie Plates, 2 or more

Muffin/Cupcake Pan, 1 or 2

Springform pan, 1 or 2

2 - Pizza Pans

Pots & Pans:

1, 2 and 3 quart pans with lids

2 or 3 quart with steamer basket and lid

(*Boiler insert would be great too!)

1 or more, 7-9" fry pan, lid 

1 or more, 10-12" fry pan, lid

6 quart dutch oven

Stock pots, heavy gauge with lids, 2 sizes

Appliances:

Coffee Maker

Mixer, Stand and/or Hand

Toaster

Toaster Oven

Crock Pot

Tea Kettle

Electric Skillet/griddle

Waffle Machine

Blender

Food processor/chopper

 Grill Press

Cooking and Kitchen Essentials

Heat resistant Spoons and Rubber Spatulas in various sizes

(*at least 2 of each)

Large Slotted spoon

Large Solid spoon

Cooking Spatulas, solid and slotted

Pizza Cutter

Pie Server

Desert Server 

Can and Bottle openers

Ice Pick

Wine openers

Corks for bottles

Cooking Bands

Gravy & Soup Ladles, various sizes

Vegetable peeler

Set of Knives, various sizes 

Steak Knife set

Funnels, various sizes

(narrow and wide mouth)

Measuring Spoons & Cups

Liquid & Dry measuring pitchers

Thermometers; cooking, meat, candy 

Graters of several sizes; 4 sided & flat

Tongs; for cooking and serving
Baking Timer

Shelf Liner: for cupboards, drawers...

Drink containers: 2 or more, various sizes

Long Handled Cooking Forks

Large and Small Strainers

Long Handle Strainer (spoon/dipper style)

Rolling pin

Pastry Blender

Pastry Brush

Cake/Cookie Racks (for cooling)

Potato Masher

Kitchen Shears

Knife Sharpener, Steel or Stone

Cutting Boards, various sizes

Whisks/Whips, various sizes & styles

Various sizes of containers/lids or jars/lids

Trivets for Hot Dishes, several

Pot Holders & Oven Mitts

1 dozen dish clothes

1 dozen dish towels

Dish Strainer: for hand washed items, traditional or cloth pad

Stylish and Prepared...

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Kool-Aid Play dough

While the weather has been pretty nice lately we still get stuck inside sometimes. Some days it's a little too hot and humid to spend all day outside, some days we've gotta wait for the wee one to wake from her nap before any loud play, or outside play. Some days it's raining and we need to get our minds working on something other than "how to beat up your sibling without them crying". Enter play dough. My kids love to play with play dough but they often mix the colors (which bothers me and I don't know why) and they often don't get the lids on tight so everything dries up so quickly. While play dough is not expensive it's even more fun to make your own. I've looked for so many homemade play dough recipes and tried a few but none as easy or as fun as the kool-aid play dough. My friend Rachael sent me the recipe and I can't believe how long I waited to actually make it...we were probably busy playing outside or something...

So here's the easiest (no cooking involved) play-doh recipe you'll ever found that smells INCREDIBLE!!!
Kool-Aid Play dough
2 Cups of flour
1/2 cup of salt
3T cooking oil (I use vegetable)
1 pkg or KoolAid
1 cup of HOT water

Mix flour salt and oil
Add KoolAid to water and stir
Add Water to dry ingredients
knead mixture until it forms a soft dough (add flour if the dough is sticky)

I had to add about a half cup more of flour. It's not sticky anymore but still kinda flimsy and really squishy, I'm wondering if putting it in the fridge will help with that or if I'll need to add more flour tomorrow?
Store in sealed container in fridge for about a week or 2

And since no post is any good without a photo here's a shot of my little Hannah and I at church while the big kids were at Vacation Bible School.

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Household Essentials

Got this great list of Household Essentials over at Pine Creek Style...my moms blog.

BASIC KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

Basic Set of dishes, service for 6-8 minimum, (up to 12)

set should include: Dinner plate, bowl &/or salad plate,

Coffee cup with or without saucers

Serving Bowls/Dishes in several sizes

Casserole Dishes with Lids, several sizes

(*Colors should blend nicely with your dishes)

Pitchers for Drinks 
Gravy Boats, 1 or 2

Sugar and Creamer containers

Salt and Pepper shakers or mills

Silverware, service for 6, 8 or 12

Serving utensils, to match

such as spoons, forks, serving spatulas

Drinking Glasses 6-12, in two sizes

Wine Glasses, 12-24 

(*You may choose to use different sizes, white & red wine glasses) 

Various cocktail & beer glasses to suit your needs

BAKING AND ROASTING PANS...

12-15" open roasting pan 

9x13 baking pan, 1 or more; metal, glass, stoneware

5x9 bread pan, 2 in metal, glass or stoneware

2 - 8 or 9" round layer cake pans

2 - 8 or 9" square layer cake pans

1- 8 or 9" round cake pan

1 - 8 or 9" square cake pan

1 - 9 or 10" tube pan

Bundt Style pan, 1 02 more

Cookie sheets, 2 or more

8-10" Pie Plates, 2 or more

Muffin/Cupcake Pan, 1 or 2

Springform pan, 1 or 2

2 - Pizza Pans

POTS AND PANS...

1, 2 and 3 quart pans with lids

2 or 3 quart with steamer basket and lid

(*Boiler insert would be great too!)

1 or more, 7-9" fry pan, lid 

1 or more, 10-12" fry pan, lid

6 quart dutch oven

Stock pots, heavy gauge with lids, 2 sizes

APPLIANCES...

Coffee Maker

Mixer, Stand and/or Hand

Toaster

Toaster Oven

Crock Pot

Tea Kettle

Electric Skillet/griddle

Waffle Machine

Blender

Food processor/chopper

 Grill Press

COOKING AND KITCHEN ESSENTIALS...

Heat resistant Spoons and Rubber Spatulas in various sizes

(*at least 2 of each)

Large Slotted spoon

Large Solid spoon

Cooking Spatulas, solid and slotted

Pizza Cutter

Pie Server

Desert Server 

Can and Bottle openers

Ice Pick

Wine openers

Corks for bottles

Cooking Bands

Gravy & Soup Ladles, various sizes

Vegetable peeler

Set of Knives, various sizes 

Steak Knife set

Funnels, various sizes

(narrow and wide mouth)

Measuring Spoons & Cups

Liquid & Dry measuring pitchers

Thermometers; cooking, meat, candy 

Graters of several sizes; 4 sided & flat

Tongs; for cooking and serving
Baking Timer

Shelf Liner: for cupboards, drawers...

(*also see "Cook with Style" section for more ideas)

Drink containers: 2 or more, various sizes

Long Handled Cooking Forks

Large and Small Strainers

Long Handle Strainer (spoon/dipper style)

Rolling pin

Pastry Blender

Pastry Brush

Cake/Cookie Racks (for cooling)

Potato Masher

Kitchen Shears

Knife Sharpener, Steel or Stone

Cutting Boards, various sizes

Whisks/Whips, various sizes & styles

Various sizes of containers/lids or jars/lids

Trivets for Hot Dishes, several

Pot Holders & Oven Mitts

1 dozen dish clothes

1 dozen dish towels

Dish Strainer: for hand washed items, traditional or cloth pad

PAPER & SUCH...

Aluminum Foil, roll and/or sheets

Plastic wrap

Zip top bags, all sizes

Toilet paper

Facial Tissues

Napkins

Paper Hand Towels

Paper Towels

Wax paper, roll and/or sheets

Paper plates

Paper or Plastic Cups, drinking and bathroom sizes

Plastic silverware

Coffee filters

Paper Coffee Cups with Lids for travel

Trash bags. various sizes

Store leftover grocery bags for later re-use

*save left over party supplies: plates, napkins etc. in an open basket for later use

CLEANING SUPPLIES...

Floor Cleaners

Dish Soap

Hand Soap

Hand Lotion for kitchen and bathrooms

Dishwasher soap, rinse aides and cleaner

Scrub pads

Sponges (*Personally, I don't care for sponges because of bacteria)

Disinfectants: for counters, cleaning etc.

Room Air Fresheners and Disinfectants

Window cleaners

Woolite (*see my section on "windows")

Laundry Soaps

Fabric Softeners

Downey Spray ( I use this to Iron clothes & linens) 

Bleach: regular and color safe

Spot Removers, rug and laundry

Furniture polish & wax
Leather cleaner
Scotch Guard ( or simular)
Fabric Freshener, antibacterial

Hope this was a helpful list! I loved reading it. This could be a very helpful list of supplies for newlyweds and new home owners.

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Kitchenware Basics

Basic Kitchen Essentials:

(This is a basic suggestion list)

Basic Set of dishes, service for 6-8 minimum, (up to 12)

set should include: Dinner plate, bowl &/or salad plate,

Coffee cup with or without saucers

Serving Bowls/Dishes in several sizes

Casserole Dishes with Lids, several sizes

(*Colors should blend nicely with your dishes)

Pitchers for Drinks 
Gravy Boats, 1 or 2

Sugar and Creamer containers

Salt and Pepper shakers or mills

Silverware, service for 6, 8 or 12

Serving utensils, to match

such as spoons, forks, serving spatulas

Drinking Glasses 6-12, in two sizes

Wine Glasses, 12-24 

(*You may choose to use different sizes, white & red wine glasses) 

Various cocktail & beer glasses to suit your needs

Baking and Roasting pans:

12-15" open roasting pan 

9x13 baking pan, 1 or more; metal, glass, stoneware

5x9 bread pan, 2 in metal, glass or stoneware

2 - 8 or 9" round layer cake pans

2 - 8 or 9" square layer cake pans

1- 8 or 9" round cake pan

1 - 8 or 9" square cake pan

1 - 9 or 10" tube pan

Bundt Style pan, 1 02 more

Cookie sheets, 2 or more

8-10" Pie Plates, 2 or more

Muffin/Cupcake Pan, 1 or 2

Springform pan, 1 or 2

2 - Pizza Pans

Pots & Pans:

1, 2 and 3 quart pans with lids

2 or 3 quart with steamer basket and lid

(*Boiler insert would be great too!)

1 or more, 7-9" fry pan, lid 

1 or more, 10-12" fry pan, lid

6 quart dutch oven

Stock pots, heavy gauge with lids, 2 sizes

Appliances:

Coffee Maker

Mixer, Stand and/or Hand

Toaster

Toaster Oven

Crock Pot

Tea Kettle

Electric Skillet/griddle

Waffle Machine

Blender

Food processor/chopper

 Grill Press

Cooking and Kitchen Essentials

Heat resistant Spoons and Rubber Spatulas in various sizes

(*at least 2 of each)

Large Slotted spoon

Large Solid spoon

Cooking Spatulas, solid and slotted

Pizza Cutter

Pie Server

Desert Server 

Can and Bottle openers

Ice Pick

Wine openers

Corks for bottles

Cooking Bands

Gravy & Soup Ladles, various sizes

Vegetable peeler

Set of Knives, various sizes 

Steak Knife set

Funnels, various sizes

(narrow and wide mouth)

Measuring Spoons & Cups

Liquid & Dry measuring pitchers

Thermometers; cooking, meat, candy 

Graters of several sizes; 4 sided & flat

Tongs; for cooking and serving
Baking Timer

Shelf Liner: for cupboards, drawers...

(*also see "Cook with Style" section for more ideas)

Drink containers: 2 or more, various sizes

Long Handled Cooking Forks

Large and Small Strainers

Long Handle Strainer (spoon/dipper style)

Rolling pin

Pastry Blender

Pastry Brush

Cake/Cookie Racks (for cooling)

Potato Masher

Kitchen Shears

Knife Sharpener, Steel or Stone

Cutting Boards, various sizes

Whisks/Whips, various sizes & styles

Various sizes of containers/lids or jars/lids

Trivets for Hot Dishes, several

Pot Holders & Oven Mitts

1 dozen dish clothes

1 dozen dish towels

Dish Strainer: for hand washed items, traditional or cloth pad

Continue Reading ...