Mixing bowls

Mixing bowls are an essential part of any kitchen, whether you are using them to marinade meat for the BBQ, tossing a salad, or making a cake. Buy a set of nesting bowls so you will always have the right size for the dish you are making, and they won’t take up too much room in the kitchen cupboard. Stainless steel mixing bowls are inexpensive, last forever as they won’t smash if you drop them, and as they are non-reactive so they won’t take on the odours of the food you put in them. They are also light making them easier to store and to pour things out of, however they cannot go into the microwave. Pyrex and other glass mixing bowls however can, which for many people will be a big advantage. They are also very tough and transparent so you can see if you are mixing all the ingredients properly. Plastic bowls can also be transparent, however, they also come in different colours so can look decorative. Some even include colanders that fit inside the bowls, so is great for space saving. Pick bowls with a lip around the edge to hold onto, non- slip base and you will be ready get cooking.

Fancy something savoury? Cooking with a wok is quick, healthy as you’ll not need much oil and you can really increase your vegetable intake. They come in a variety of materials, from non-stick, carbon steel and copper woks. Some even come with lids. However, if it food comfort you are after, a casserole is always a winner.  Whether you choose deep or shallow casserole dishes, they will be a dream to cook in and look great on the table too. Pots and pans are indispensable when cooking up a meal, and a good pan set will be your best friend in the kitchen.

A good set of baking trays are also another cookware stable. Roasting veg, baking pizza or a swiss roll, they will be used time and time again. Some have perforations so your pizza won’t have a soggy bottom – go for a non-stick baking sheet so you won’t need to add any or much oil. For those family celebrations, a homemade cake will always hit the spot, so add a muffin or cake tin to your bakeware collection.