Yellow cutting board
Executive Chef, $10
Martha Stewart fish cutting board
Macy's, $20
kitchen 101:Set it right the first time
If you're subsisting on takeout food and your kitchen is the one room you haven't bothered to make over, think about this: Cooking for yourself or your guests can save money; it allows you to control fat, salt and sugar; it's such a Padma thing to do; and it's fun, or at least it can be if you have the right stuff. Look at it as another ETS (Excuse To Shop)! If you're living in 'ohana housing, you might not have a stove. Two old fashioned appliances that multitask are often found in thrift stores. Countertop electric skillets plug into any outlet and can stew, braise or stir-fry. Toaster ovens bake, roast and, of course, toast — you can even make cakes and pies in them. Buy secondhand the first time around, to see which tools you use the most. Also, check Ross, which often has quality kitchenware at steep discounts, and Chinatown, where tools are inexpensive. Later, you can invest in BMW-level kitchen stuff. Use this list to get yourself started. — Paula Rath
Monkey vegetable peeler
Executive Chef, $20
Martha Stewart set of melamine bowls
Macy's, $30
Macy's, $30
Work
Executive Chef, $65
Executive Chef, $65
Red Collander
Macy's, $65
Rainbow measuring spoons
Executive Chef, $10
Executive Chef, $10
EXPERT PICKS
What if you could only have nine items in your kitchen? Wanda Adams, Advertiser food editor and author of "The Island Plate" and "Entertaining Island Style," chose these: 1. Heatproof olive wood or silicone spatula/scraper (mix, stir, turn, scrape)
2. Pyrex or earthenware nesting mixing bowls (mix, use as top of double boiler, store food)
3. 10-inch chef's knife
4. 12-inch serrated edge bread/meat knife (slice, chop, etc.)
5. Large, attractive wood cutting board (cut on one side only, use reverse as trivet, presentation space, tray)
6. All-purpose large, open, rounded-edge pan such as a saute pan or wok (fry, boil, stew, steam)
7. Dutch oven with oven-proof cover (Le Creuset if you can afford it; boil, stew, braise)
8. Attractive oven-to-table casserole (bake,serve; Adams likes oval Emile Henry, but Pyrex or Corning are fine, too)
9. Microplane grater
2. Pyrex or earthenware nesting mixing bowls (mix, use as top of double boiler, store food)
3. 10-inch chef's knife
4. 12-inch serrated edge bread/meat knife (slice, chop, etc.)
5. Large, attractive wood cutting board (cut on one side only, use reverse as trivet, presentation space, tray)
6. All-purpose large, open, rounded-edge pan such as a saute pan or wok (fry, boil, stew, steam)
7. Dutch oven with oven-proof cover (Le Creuset if you can afford it; boil, stew, braise)
8. Attractive oven-to-table casserole (bake,serve; Adams likes oval Emile Henry, but Pyrex or Corning are fine, too)
9. Microplane grater
KITCHEN NECESSITIES
Rice cooker
Spatulas (one flat, one curved)
Mixer (the best you can afford)
Can opener
Whisk
Wooden spoons
Chef's knife
Serrated knife
Puka spoon (for pasta or draining veggies)
Peeler
Grater
Tongs
Blender
Cutting board
Knife sharpener
7-inch saute pan
10-inch skillet
1-quart saucepan
8-by-8-inch baking pan (we love silicone; food won't stick)
9-inch pie pan (can roast too)
Nonstick baking sheet
Microwave-safe bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Sieve or colander
Spatulas (one flat, one curved)
Mixer (the best you can afford)
Can opener
Whisk
Wooden spoons
Chef's knife
Serrated knife
Puka spoon (for pasta or draining veggies)
Peeler
Grater
Tongs
Blender
Cutting board
Knife sharpener
7-inch saute pan
10-inch skillet
1-quart saucepan
8-by-8-inch baking pan (we love silicone; food won't stick)
9-inch pie pan (can roast too)
Nonstick baking sheet
Microwave-safe bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Sieve or colander
VICKI'S PICKS
Vicki Kaleopa'a, manager of Executive Chef in Ward Warehouse, chose these nine items as the must-have accessories for a capable cook:
| 1.Wok | 4.Rice cooker | 7.Oven mitt |
| 2.Cutting board | 5.Tea kettle | 8.Can opener |
| 3.Chef’s knife | 6.Spatula | 9.Dish towel |
a) Black spatula - Macy's, $8
b) Wooden spoon - Executive Chef, $19
c) Blue whisk - Executive Chef, $21
d) Garlic press - Macy's, $15
e) Tongs - Macy's, $10
f) Measuring cups - Executive Chef, $11
g) Kitchesn Aid Artisan mixer - Macy's, $300
b) Wooden spoon - Executive Chef, $19
c) Blue whisk - Executive Chef, $21
d) Garlic press - Macy's, $15
e) Tongs - Macy's, $10
f) Measuring cups - Executive Chef, $11
g) Kitchesn Aid Artisan mixer - Macy's, $300
