You’ve decided to take a virtual cooking class. Fun! What could be more convenient than sharpening your skills and learning from the comfort and convenience of your very own home?
But whether you’re a novice or have been behind the stove for years, aside from the obvious such as a secure internet connection, there are specific tools you will want to stock your kitchen with before beginning virtual cooking class.
Before we start, remember that you do not need to break the bank when shopping for the appropriate kitchen essentials for your virtual cooking class. Good quality items can be found in all price ranges in stores such as your local HomeGoods or Target.
Little Spoon. Big spoon.
As much as it may bruise our egos, and we hate to admit it, sometimes we just need help measuring. This holds especially true if you are taking a virtual cooking class that centers its narrative around specific dietary needs such as diabetic-friendly foods or keto.
Enter the ever important measuring cups and measuring spoons. These cute little kitchen accessories are a chef's best friend - and will also become yours during your virtual cooking class.
With precision and accuracy, measuring cups are primarily utilized when measuring liquids (water, vinegar, etc.) or solids (Sugar, flour, etc.). It is worth noting that the two, liquids and solids, are measured differently, so it is highly advised that you invest in a pair for your virtual cooking class - metal for your dry, denser ingredients and glass or plastic for your liquids.
A set of measuring spoons will come in handy when calculating smaller ingredients for the yummy dishes you will be whipping up in your virtual cooking class. Like their fuller bodied counterparts, the measuring cup and measuring spoons host an array of condiments that range from dry (spices, herbs, salt, etc.) to wet (milk, pastes, oils, etc.)
Super Bowl(s).
Virtual cooking class has begun. You have your measuring cups. You have your measuring spoons. And you’re not afraid to use them. But where are we transferring all those delicious ingredients to during virtual cooking class? Into the ever important, if not underrated, mixing bowl, of course!
Unlike measuring cups and spoons, which come in standard sizes, mixing bowls come in an exciting array of proportions and dimensions. Think of your mixing bowl as you would a subtle yet important musical instrument playing gently in the background of your favorite song. The melodious tones of your ingredients being whisked and stirred, back and forth, round and round. We love mixing bowls. We need them. But there are so many to choose from for virtual cooking class. Where does one begin? Copper, glass, and ceramic tend to be the more expensive options, while stainless steel, though not the most aesthetically pleasing of the choices, will be your workhorse for a fraction of the price. Plastic varieties are an option too. However, I would proceed cautiously as this material tends to soak up oils, sauces, and stains rather easily.
On the chopping block.
Such a simple yet sleek little helper, it goes without question that the cutting board is a culinary arts staple. Whether you select wood, nonporous plastic, bamboo, cork, or glass is entirely up to you - I recommend wooden cutting boards as they are easier on your knives (we’ll get to those in a moment) and gorgeous, and these OXO cutting boards are fabulous! Whichever you choose, you may want to invest in two, one small prep board and one large for everyday cooking for your virtual cooking class.
Knives out
Last but not least, the holy grail of kitchen utensils, and the one you will be unable to go without during your virtual cooking class is a good chef's knife, paring knife, and serrated knife.
This is where things get a bit tricky because unlike measuring cups or a cutting board, not just any knife will do. You’re going to be cutting. You’re going to be peeling. You want a sharp knife. Scratch that; you need a sharp knife. Keep that in mind when shopping for yours because in order to work safer and more efficiently during your virtual cooking class, you will need a knife whose blades are sharp and precise and handle is comfortable to grip. If you have a dull blade and you are risking injury to your fingers and hands as those tend to slip more easily from using more force when cutting. You don’t want that. And I don’t want that for you. P.S. You also need a honing steel.
