Part Two: Cooking in Paris

Between high technology and plain old ingenuity

You probably have a refrigerator at your disposal a stove with four burners, and an oven with a broiler or grill. But even with just a small fridge and a couple of electric rings, you will be able to cook most of the recipes here. Remember, you can cook well with nothing more than a good paring knife, a couple of spoons or spatulas, a colander, a pot or two and a skillet or frying pan. If we may be allowed to paraphrase, a good workman has good tools, but a good workman also knows how to improvize and adapt to any situation.

French kitchen knives are highly regarded all over the world and can be purchased from specialty stores and online stores. As well as a few small sharp paring knives, you will need one large one for chopping. And don't forget a good knife sharpener and a solid cutting board. Wooden cutting boards tend to absorb fish flavors so either cover with clingfilm or use a plastic cutting board. Kitchen shears, a vegetable peeler, zester, garlic press, and cherry or olive pitter (stoner) are also essential. In terms of high technology equipment, you need look no further than an electric beater (or whisk), a food mill, and a food processor, blender or liquidizer, an electric grinder, and an electric grater with different blades including a mandolin for slicing (a manual grater is just as good though).

Probably the most famous French kitchen utensils found throughout the world are the cast iron and enamel cooking pots. A good cast iron, ovenproof pot with a lid is essential for preparing many Parisian dishes, as are cast iron (non-stick) skillets. A large, shallow sauteuse is useful but not essential. You will need a variety of baking dishes and ramekins for souffles and gratins.

For baking desserts, invest in some cake pans, spring form pans, pastry circles, and oven mitts!

Other basic kitchen utensils include a set of measuring cups and weighing scales, a pastry brush, pointed sieve (also called a chinois or china cup), a large strainer or colander, salad spinner, several mixing bowls, baking paper, roil, paper towels (kitchen roll), and a large needle and kitchen twine. Before starting a recipe, check the equipment it requires. And if you do not have everything stated, decide how you are going to improvize before starting!

Some common utensils found in any Parisian kitchen.

A garlic press, food mill, and cast iron pot.