How Do I... Cook Like a Pro?
Keen to up your cooking game? An expert reveals the kitchen tools of the trade to get your culinary journey started
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, Olivia Anderson, national marketing manager at Smeg Australia, reveals the must-have appliances and tools that can help you create restaurant-quality dishes at home.
Before you splash out on new equipment…
- To determine the best equipment or appliances for you, consider the type of food you want to cook. Do you have a preference for a particular cuisine or method of cooking?
- How many people do you want to cook for? This will help you choose the right-size appliances.
- If space in your kitchen is tight, check if there is a compact version of the appliance you’re after.
- Consider the aesthetics of your kitchen. Today’s high-tech appliances come in different styles, from retro to sleek and ultra-modern, so you can choose a design that suits your kitchen.
- Select a quality brand to ensure your appliance lasts the distance.
Professional knives
Sharp, chef-quality knives are one of the best investments you can make in your kitchen and cooking skills. They’ll not only boost your culinary abilities but will also speed up your prep time. They’re safer too – it’s all too easy to injure yourself with a blunt knife.
To keep professional knives in top condition, hand wash them in warm, soapy water – never put them in the dishwasher as this can blunt them and damage the componentry.
Sharp, chef-quality knives are one of the best investments you can make in your kitchen and cooking skills. They’ll not only boost your culinary abilities but will also speed up your prep time. They’re safer too – it’s all too easy to injure yourself with a blunt knife.
To keep professional knives in top condition, hand wash them in warm, soapy water – never put them in the dishwasher as this can blunt them and damage the componentry.
A steam-assist oven
Steam cooking is rapidly gaining popularity among professional and home chefs alike, and it’s easy to see why. Cooking with steam is incredibly healthy as less fat and oil are required. Plus, it’s great for preserving the moisture in food and creating a crispy crust on bread and pizza.
To save time and hassle, look for a steam-assist oven with automatic programs that allow you to create restaurant-quality meals at the touch of a button. Or, if you want the versatility to choose between different cooking methods, choose a combi-steam oven that offers three different types of cooking in the one machine (pure steam, convection cooking and steam-convection combination cooking).
Steam cooking is rapidly gaining popularity among professional and home chefs alike, and it’s easy to see why. Cooking with steam is incredibly healthy as less fat and oil are required. Plus, it’s great for preserving the moisture in food and creating a crispy crust on bread and pizza.
To save time and hassle, look for a steam-assist oven with automatic programs that allow you to create restaurant-quality meals at the touch of a button. Or, if you want the versatility to choose between different cooking methods, choose a combi-steam oven that offers three different types of cooking in the one machine (pure steam, convection cooking and steam-convection combination cooking).
A blast chiller
These nifty chillers allow you to safely store cooked and raw foods by rapidly lowering the fridge or freezer temperature. Unlike a traditional fridge or freezer, blast chillers retain the original texture, colour and nutrients in ingredients, and can minimise bacterial growth so food stays fresher for far longer.
These nifty chillers allow you to safely store cooked and raw foods by rapidly lowering the fridge or freezer temperature. Unlike a traditional fridge or freezer, blast chillers retain the original texture, colour and nutrients in ingredients, and can minimise bacterial growth so food stays fresher for far longer.
A vacuum drawer
You can preserve cooked and raw foods for longer and reduce the marinating process for meat from hours to just 10 minutes when using a vacuum drawer. Food is sealed in a special pouch in the vacuum drawer so it is ready for storage or gentle, sous-vide cooking that results in super-tender, moist dishes.
You can preserve cooked and raw foods for longer and reduce the marinating process for meat from hours to just 10 minutes when using a vacuum drawer. Food is sealed in a special pouch in the vacuum drawer so it is ready for storage or gentle, sous-vide cooking that results in super-tender, moist dishes.
An induction cooktop
While gas has traditionally been the choice for professional chefs, many are turning to induction cooktops as they create a cooler cooking environment – which can be a boon in a busy home kitchen, too.
Induction cooktops are energy-efficient as they only heat the pan, not the ambient air, and they offer more precise temperature control than gas. They are also easier to clean as there’s just one flat glass surface to wipe, rather than all the nooks and crannies you tend to find on gas cooktops.
While gas has traditionally been the choice for professional chefs, many are turning to induction cooktops as they create a cooler cooking environment – which can be a boon in a busy home kitchen, too.
Induction cooktops are energy-efficient as they only heat the pan, not the ambient air, and they offer more precise temperature control than gas. They are also easier to clean as there’s just one flat glass surface to wipe, rather than all the nooks and crannies you tend to find on gas cooktops.
A wine fridge
Love your wine? A wine fridge or cooler (sometimes referred to as wine cellars or storage cabinets) that can be incorporated into your kitchen design can be an appealing option.
Premium models let you tailor the internal temperature and conditions to different types of wine for optimal storage and maturation, and many offer two separate temperature zones as well as UV protection for your bottles. Take your pick from full-size models and compact styles that fit neatly under your benchtop.
Love your wine? A wine fridge or cooler (sometimes referred to as wine cellars or storage cabinets) that can be incorporated into your kitchen design can be an appealing option.
Premium models let you tailor the internal temperature and conditions to different types of wine for optimal storage and maturation, and many offer two separate temperature zones as well as UV protection for your bottles. Take your pick from full-size models and compact styles that fit neatly under your benchtop.
… And one more thing
If you’re keen to cook more and are considering a new kitchen, pay careful attention to the layout. Professional kitchens are always designed for maximum efficiency – the order of food preparation, cooking and cleaning is carefully considered to ensure that everything is within easy reach with no need for excessive walking or movement. This is something to bear in mind when planning a new kitchen design at home.
If you’re keen to cook more and are considering a new kitchen, pay careful attention to the layout. Professional kitchens are always designed for maximum efficiency – the order of food preparation, cooking and cleaning is carefully considered to ensure that everything is within easy reach with no need for excessive walking or movement. This is something to bear in mind when planning a new kitchen design at home.
Tell us
Do you have a professional-quality cooking appliance that you love? Tell us your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save it if you’re planning a kitchen redesign and join the conversation.
More
If you’re in the market for a new kitchen appliance, find a retailer near you
Do you have a professional-quality cooking appliance that you love? Tell us your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save it if you’re planning a kitchen redesign and join the conversation.
More
If you’re in the market for a new kitchen appliance, find a retailer near you