Things every cook must have in their kitchen!

Having cooked in professional kitchens for the past 5 years, I have come to realize that I was spoiled. You will always here me say that cooking at home is nothing like cooking in a restaurant kitchen. So after a while I thought to myself, how can I change that. How can I make my home kitchen more like a professional kitchen without spending $10,000 dollars? Here is a list of items or appliances that I think the cook at home can really use!

1. Chinois

A chinois is a fine mesh strainer that is a necessity for making perfectly smooth soups or purees. When buying a chinois, make sure it has a very sturdy handle! http://tiny.cc/8flWA

2. Food Mill

A food mill is a must have in the home kitchen. It is used for mashing and pureeing soft foods through a strainer. If you want to make creamy smooth mashed potatoes it is a must. http://tiny.cc/aig18

3. Cutting board

I know that everybody has a cutting board at home. Most people have 10" x 8" wooden cutting boards. I would suggest that if you have decent sized counter tops you purchase a larger rubber cutting board. The reason you want rubber is because it won't splinter, crack or swell. Also, it won't absorb odors or bacteria the way wood cutting boards do. You want to have a board that is heavy enough to keep it from sliding around, which can be dangerous. http://tiny.cc/zIQkI

4. Vita Mix Blender

The vita Mix blender is like no other blender on the market. The design and engine power ensures that whatever you are blending will come out uniform and smooth. Although it is pricey, it is worth it! To save money, look online for refurbished ones. http://tiny.cc/v2miS

5. Heavy duty pots and pans

Quality pots and pans do make a difference. If you pick your pan up and think it would break if you hit the wall with it, then you know it's cheap. Cheap pans don't conduct heat well, leading to hot spots and burnt food. Look for heavy bottom pans, with sturdy handles. In my opinion, nothing matches the quality of All-Clad. http://www.all-clad.com/

I know the products I picked out are expensive. I wanted to give you examples of what is used in professional kitchens. By doing some research, and using sites like EBay, you can find some good deals.