Cookware Accessories

Say your new professional cookware set is in the kitchen and you're ready to take on the most challenging recipes you can find. You'll quickly discover that a few cookware accessories are essential to a smoothly running kitchen. Here's a list of some helpful cookware accessories and tips on what to look for.

Cutting Boards

No kitchen is complete without a quality cutting board to complement the cookware. Many kitchens feature a pullout wooden cutting board, or maybe you have a small plastic board.

Have pity on your knives and prolong their lives by investing in an end-grain wood cutting board. An end-grain board is distinguished from flat grain by its checkerboard appearance. Because the grain runs vertically, your knives cut between the wood fibers, which is better for both the knives and the board.

Colanders

Even if your cookware has flared sides for easy pouring, a good colander will spare you time and frustration. Look for a good-sized colander with a round base instead of a three-legged strainer, so that a bump of your arm doesn't send pasta down the drain.

Evenly distributed and appropriately sized holes are also important. All-Clad cookware would work well with a stainless steel All-Clad 3-quart or 5-quart colander.

Woks

If you're dabbling in foreign fare, bolster your cookware set with a good-sized wok. Carbon steel woks are best, but if you want a non-stick surface, an aluminum wok would suffice. A 14-inch flat-bottomed wok will enable you to stir-fry with ease. Woks aren't just for ethnic dishes; they're great all-around cookware accessories.

Pressure Cooker

You don't have to be the only pressure cooker in your kitchen. Pressure cookers are among the best cookware accessories to have, as they provide simple, time-efficient meals with minimal fuss. Add a 6-quart stainless steel pressure cooker to your cookware set and you'll be making multiple side dishes in no time.

With some forethought and a bit of worthwhile investment, you can take your kitchen and your art of cooking to the next level. Consider upgrading or adding to your collection of cookware accessories.