Bakeware Essentials Brought to you by JCPenney Wedding Registry
In any kitchen, having the basics is key. Whether you are making your grandmother's famous muffins or cooking a gourmet meal, bakeware is a kitchen must-have. Here's a list of things to stock your kitchen up with, so that you're prepared for anything, even late night cooking-baking.
Things to put in your kitchen cabinets:
3 baking dishes: square, oval, oblong (an 8” square is perfect for a batch of brownies, while the oval or oblong easily roast meats, poultry and vegetables)
2 large baking sheets (for everything from cookies to doubling as a warming tray in the oven)
2 round cake pans (the 9” round pans are ideal for making layered cakes and trifles)
1 springform pan (a smart choice for making a lighter, fluffier cake, such as angel food)
1 square cake pan (ideally used for brownies and other dessert bars)
1 12-cup muffin pan (also use for cupcakes)
1 pie pan (the 9” round pan is perfect for pies, cheesecakes-even quiche)
2 6-cup loaf pans (they’re great for quickbreads, loaves of bread and meatloaf)
Regardless of the cookware and bakeware sets or open-stock pieces you register for, be rest-assured that cleaning them once you have them will be simple. Really!
Baking soda, dishwashing liquid and hot water are the key to removing baked-on gunk and removing burned-on foods.
If the food is burned-on, add the above solution to the cookware, put it on the stovetop and bring it to a boil. Then remove it from the stovetop, let it cool down, add a bit more baking soda to it and give it a good scrub with a plastic scrubber.
kitchen basics: gadgets
The great guide to gadgets:
Welcome to the world of gadgets, where you can slice, dice, chop, spin, grind, shred, strain, whip and more with the greatest of ease! Our colorful selection of name brand styles will not only amaze you, but also give you a helping hand in the kitchen. And don’t worry, deciding what’s-what in this whirl-wind of gadgetry is our specialty!
The 411 on gadgets
The gadgets we carry are designed to make your life easier. Most are dishwasher-safe, while many offer easy-grip rubber handles, have heat-safe features or all of the above. So no matter what’s on your menu, you can get that extra hand you want in the kitchen for making romantic dinners for two or hosting dinner parties for all of your friends!
What’s in a name? A lot! Our brands are packed with value and quality.
You’ll find the best brands like KitchenAid®, Hamilton Beach®, OXO®, Siplin®, our exclusive cooks® line and more. Plus, you’ll find gadgets for cleaning, storage, small electrics, fitness and beauty to list a few.
The basics- you’re going to need one of these!
We love all our gadgets equally, after-all who can resist a great time-saver! However, there are certain gadgets you will definitely want handy in your kitchen, whether you're a cooking novice or connoisseur.
Here’s our Top 10 must-have gadgets:
1. can opener - electric or manual, everyone needs one
2. cutting boards- keep your counters pretty
3. ice trays - because a cold beverage never goes out of style
4. measuring cups & spoons - the easiest way to add ingredients
5. slotted spoons - great for cooking, draining and serving
6. spatulas - flip eggs, meats and more straight from the pan
7. spoons - stock up! You’ll want one for each dish
8. strainer & colanders - drain water off pasta, veggies, fruits and more
9. tongs - an easy way to flip meats, serve breads and more
10. vegetable peeler - works great for fruits too
May we also suggest tried-and-true favorites:
So now that you have your basics covered, take a look at these faves! They are just as helpful as the basics, after all, who wants to mash potatoes by hand? But needs may differ from cook to cook.
Here are our Top 10 most-wanted gadgets:
1. electric pepper mill - spice it up, impress your friends
2. food processor - here’s where the slicing and dicing come in
3. grater - finely grate your favorite foods in minimal time
4. ice cream scooper - don’t you dare bend those beautiful new spoons
5. meat tenderizer - it doesn’t have to be a filet to be tender
6. pizza cutter - frozen or handmade, everyone wants a slice
7. potato masher - just add gravy
8. salad spinner - say goodbye to soggy lettuce
9. spice rack - keep your favorites within arm’s reach
10. whisk - whip up something fabulous
Oh, you’re just going to love these- they’re for every cooking stage
Just because we saved these for last, doesn’t mean you don’t need them. Only you can the judge of that.
Here are our Top 10 love-to-have gadgets:
1. muffin pan - great for cupcakes too
2. cookie cutters - round cookies are so last year
3. cake decorating set - everybody has a birthday
4. canisters - keep air out, and your favorite foods or ingredients close by
5. pineapple slicer - eat this delicious fruit, sans the mess
6. onion chopper - don’t cry over it ever again
7. food scale - no need to guess, let the scale do the work
8. salad shooter - quick, easy and fun to use
9. rolling pin - the easiest way to flatten ingredients
10. food chopper - from salads to fruits and veggies, chop it up in a jiffy
What’s right for the picking?
When selecting gadgets, think in terms of brand, color, features and composition. So if it’s OXO that’s dear to your heart, go for that brand! But if your kitchen color is pumpkin spice, you might want to branch out, and shop our fine selection of items by Rachael Ray, KitchenAid or cooks. If it’s extra features you love, you’ll find those here too. Finally, don’t forget to look at the composition. For some brides, dishwasher-friendly nylon plastic is the way to go, while others will sacrifice easy care for the sleek style of stainless steel. It’s always best to compare the differences and choose the one with the features most important to you.