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    🏠Home

    The Cooking for Two Shop

    Here are my recommendations for some basic products for the beginner or experienced cook in need of some guidance. 

    Jump To:
    • Top Recommendations
    • Thermometers
    • Knives
    • Kitchen Electronics
    • Pots and Pans
    • Baking Needs
    • Grilling Accessories
    • Kitchen Accessories
    • Some Cookbooks I Own

    Notice: All links are affiliate links meaning I do make a small profit from your purchases. Your price is not affected by this commission. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Molly and Lilly playing tug
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Top Recommendations

    This category is reserved for the products that make me smile when I use them.

    Oxo Madoline from their web site

    OXO SteeL Chef's Mandoline Slicer

    Well designed and solid.
    Shop at Amazon
    KA Stand Mixer

    KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

    Shop at Amazon
    Gates BBQ Sauce

    Gates BBQ Sauce

    My favorite sauce for over 40 years.
    Shop at Amazon
    Lodge 10 inch

    Lodge 10-inch Cast Iron Skillet

    Shop at Amazon
    small slow cooker

    Cuisinart 3.5 qt Slow Cooker

    My small slow cooker.
    Shop at Amazon
    Victorinos Chef Knife

    Victorinox Chef Knife

    Shop at Amazon
    All Clad 12-inch

    All-Clad 12-inch Fry Pan

    Shop at Amazon
    All Clad Slow Cooker

    All Clad 6.5 Qt Slow Cooker

    The one I use.
    Shop at Amazon

    Thermometers

    Accurate thermometers are a must for accurate cooking. As they say, knowledge is power. A good thermometer will take you from an ok to an excellent cook.

    I love my Thermapen, but it is expensive. A cheaper thermometer will be slower but will still be fine. A good thermometer (like the Thermapen) will outlast a cheaper thermometer many times over and save you lots of money and heartache with improperly prepared meat.

    To grill well, you need to know the surface temperature of the grill. Don't spend a lot on this since they discolor and don't last long.

    An oven thermometer should occasionally be used to check the accuracy of your cooking. The oven is one of the most common inaccuracies people have with cooking.

    Red Thermapen One

    NEW! Thermapen One from Thermoworks

    My one must have tool. Now even faster—a must have.
    Go to Thermoworks
    ThermaQ Blue Kit

    ThermaQ Blue Kit

    Dad will love this.
    Go to Thermoworks
    CDN Instant Read Thermometer

    CDN Instant Read Thermometer

    Shop at Amazon
    CDN Grill Surface Thermometer

    CDN Grill Surface Thermometer

    Shop at Amazon
    Thermopop by Thermoworks

    Thermopop by Thermoworks

    Go to Thermoworks

    Knives

    Good knives are a must. Dull cheap knives are much more likely to injure you and will make your cooking experience frustrating. There are many excellent brands. I personally own and use these recommendations daily.

    accusharp knife sharpener

    AccuSharp Knife and Tool Sharpener

    Highly recommended by Cooks Illustrated
    Shop at Amazon
    Oxo Madoline from their web site

    OXO SteeL Chef's Mandoline Slicer

    Well designed and solid.
    Shop at Amazon
    Eight piece knife set

    Wusthof Classic 8-Piece Knife Set

    Shop at Amazon
    Victorinos Chef Knife

    Victorinox Chef Knife

    Shop at Amazon

    Kitchen Electronics

    These are always great kitchen toys and great gifts.

    electric hand mixer

    Hamilton Beach Hand Mixer

    Generic cheap hand mixer that will last for years.
    Shop at Amazon
    Instant Pot Ultra

    Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt.

    Top of the line Instant Pot that I use.
    Shop at Amazon
    Instant Pot Duo

    Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt.

    The standard "Instant Pot" electric pressure cooker with all the features you need.
    Shop at Amazon
    KA Stand Mixer

    KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

    Shop at Amazon
    small slow cooker

    Cuisinart 3.5 qt Slow Cooker

    My small slow cooker.
    Shop at Amazon
    All Clad Slow Cooker

    All Clad 6.5 Qt Slow Cooker

    The one I use.
    Shop at Amazon

    Pots and Pans

    The copper bottom stuff you grew up with will NOT do.

    Modern cookware will conduct heat much better. I now use mostly All-Clad, but Calphalon and many others make excellent products.

    Now go to William-Sonoma website and sign up for the mailing list. The daily emails are good but about once per month, they have an unbelievable deal.

    Lastly, you must have some cast iron. It is cheap and lasts for generations. I like Lodge if your mother won't give you hers.

    Lodge Dutch Oven

    Lodge 6 qt Dutch Oven

    Shop at Amazon
    Calphalon fry pan set

    Calphalon Nonstick 10- and 12-Inch

    Shop at Amazon
    Lodge 10 inch

    Lodge 10-inch Cast Iron Skillet

    Shop at Amazon
    All Clad 12-inch

    All-Clad 12-inch Fry Pan

    Shop at Amazon

    Baking Needs

    Corningware set

    Corningware French White 10 Piece Bakeware Set

    Darn useful. You need something like this for storage and baking.
    Shop at Amazon
    baking racks

    Oven Safe Racks

    Similar to the racks I use.
    Shop at Amazon

    Grilling Accessories

    A few recommended grilling accessories. There are a ton of great toys to be had out there. These are useful.

    Red Thermapen One

    NEW! Thermapen One from Thermoworks

    My one must have tool. Now even faster—a must have.
    Go to Thermoworks
    Gates BBQ Sauce

    Gates BBQ Sauce

    My favorite sauce for over 40 years.
    Shop at Amazon
    Western Wood Chips

    Smoking Wood Chips

    Shop at Amazon
    Grill Pro Smoke Box

    Cast Iron Smoker Box

    Shop at Amazon
    ThermaQ Blue Kit

    ThermaQ Blue Kit

    Dad will love this.
    Go to Thermoworks
    CDN Instant Read Thermometer

    CDN Instant Read Thermometer

    Shop at Amazon
    CDN Grill Surface Thermometer

    CDN Grill Surface Thermometer

    Shop at Amazon
    Thermopop by Thermoworks

    Thermopop by Thermoworks

    Go to Thermoworks

    Kitchen Accessories

    A few recommended cooking accessories. There are a ton of great toys to be had out there. These I use almost daily.

    baking racks

    Oven Safe Racks

    Similar to the racks I use.
    Shop at Amazon
    Epicurean Chopping Board

    Epicurean Chopping Board

    I have 8 of this in various colors and sizes.
    Shop at Amazon

    Some Cookbooks I Own

    Joy of Cooking Cookbook

    Joy of Cooking Cookbook

    The new version of the classic cookbook.
    Shop at Amazon
    The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook

    The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook

    Shop at Amazon
    America's Test Kitchen Cooking School Cookbook

    Cook's Illustrated Cookbook

    Shop at Amazon
    Lilly Dog smiling
    Molly on a lazy Sunday

    Last Updated November 3, 2018

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