What gets the experts' vote when it comes to must-have kitchen kit? We asked them...

From the go-to pan to the whisk that&rsquo;s worth its weight in gold, there are some <a target='_blank'href="https://global.george.com/george/clothing/10,default,sc.html" target="_blank">cooking essentials</a> we wouldn&rsquo;t be without. But what do the experts use to make their life a breeze in the kitchen, and why?Here, three great cooks dish their secret...<h2>Love your basics</h2>Gregor McMaster, Good Living&rsquo;s Food Editor, is a former chef and creates all our delicious recipes. <img alt="gregor__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/gregor__square_GL?scl=1">He says: "Never underestimate the importance of good ‘tools&rsquo; in the kitchen: a <a target='_blank'href="https://global.george.com/George-Home-3-Piece-Wooden-Cooking-Set-with-Dipped-Handle/BUNCOIND317,default,pd.html" target="_blank">decent spatula</a> and <a target='_blank'href="http://global.george.com/george/home-garden/utensils-gadgets/stainless-steel-soft-grip-swivel-peeler/050272411,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M08G08C16" target="_blank">vegetable peeler</a> are essential and make all the difference to preparing and cooking food quickly and efficiently.  "I also wouldn&rsquo;t be without my <a target='_blank'href="http://global.george.com/george/home-garden/utensils-gadgets/george-home-granite-pestle-and-mortar/050120620,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M08G08C16" target="_blank">pestle and mortar</a> &ndash; it&rsquo;s so satisfying to crush herbs and grind spices, and it&rsquo;s a handy way to <a target='_blank'href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/garlic-ginger/asda-growers-selection-loose-garlic/20345" target="_blank">pulp garlic</a> into a paste without it getting on your fingers! It&rsquo;s also perfect for throwing together some fresh <a target='_blank'href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/herbs/asda-basil/23500" target="_blank">basil</a>, pine nuts, <a target='_blank'href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/parmesan-hard-cheese/asda-parmesan-wedge/910001801837" target="_blank">Parmesan</a> and <a target='_blank'href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/olive-oil/asda-olive-oil/56832917" target="_blank">olive oil</a> and making a fragrant homemade pesto."<img alt="kitchen-utensils" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/kitchen-utensils_GL?scl=1" style="height: 382px; width: 600px;">Gregor's essentials<ul><li><a target='_blank'href="https://global.george.com/george/home-garden/utensils-gadgets/stainless-steel-soft-grip-swivel-peeler/050272411,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M08G08C16" target="_blank">Steel Potato Peeler</a> - Your first step towards delicious roasties.</li><li><a target='_blank'href="https://global.george.com/george/home-garden/utensils-gadgets/george-home-granite-pestle-and-mortar/050120620,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M08G08C16" target="_blank">Granite Pestle and Mortar</a> - Let off steam and grind your own fresh spices.</li></ul> Top tip Gregor added: "Keep essential's close to hand in a utensil jar or suspended from a rail by the oven and keep knives on a metallic rack. There's nothing more frustrating than rooting about in a drawer looking for things when you're cooking!" <h2>Celebrate with spices</h2>Chetna Makan was a semi-finalist in <a target='_blank'href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/the-bbcs-goodbye-video-to-bake-off-will-bring-tears-to-your-eyes" target="_blank">The Great British Bake Off </a>and has just published her second cookbook Chai, Chaat & Chutney &ndash; A Street Food Journey through India.<img alt="chetna-makan" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/chetna-makan_GL?scl=1" style="width: 400px;">Chetna says: "I have a masala box which I bought in India many years ago sitting on my hob. Inside are seven spice containers for the basics like <a target='_blank'href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/salt/asda-sea-salt-grinder/910001652762" target="_blank">salt</a> and <a target='_blank'href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/spices/schwartz-chilli-powder-mild/389666" target="_blank">chili powder</a>, and I reach for it all the time to add flavour to even the simplest dishes &ndash; from omelettes to pasta. I wouldn&rsquo;t be without my <a target='_blank'href="http://global.george.com/george/george-home/George-Home-Silver-27cm-Spun-Steel-Wok/001457233,default,pd.html?cgid=D55M2G1C12S01" target="_blank">simple wok</a> which comes out every single day and is ideal for so many dishes from curries to dhals. I also have a tawa &ndash; a heavy, flat-iron pan like a griddle &ndash; traditionally used for flatbreads, chapatis and rotis. I keep it in a drawer under my hob and it&rsquo;s always in use in my kitchen! I think it&rsquo;s so brilliant that this type of equipment is so easy to buy in this country now."<img alt="chetna-essentials" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/chetna-essentials_GL?scl=1" style="height: 328px; width: 800px;">Chetna's essentials <ul><li>Every flavour at your fingertips - <a target='_blank'href="https://global.george.com/george/clothing/10,default,sc.html?q=George%20Home%20Revolving%20Spice%20Rack&ccgid=10#https://global.george.com/george/clothing/10,default,sc.html?q=George%20Home%20Revolving%20Spice%20Rack&ccgid=10" target="_blank">George Home Revolving Spice Rack</a></li><li>Quick and easy for the perfect stir-fry - <a target='_blank'href="https://global.george.com/george/george-home/George-Home-Silver-27cm-Spun-Steel-Wok/001457233,default,pd.html?cgid=D55M2G1C12S01" target="_blank">George Home Nonstick Spun Steel Wok</a></li></ul> Chetna's tip ‘Don&rsquo;t put pans, knives and wooden spoons in the dishwasher, convenient though it might be. Cookware and utensils will last much longer if you wash them by hand.&rsquo;Feeling inspired to stock up on everything you need? Make sure you stock up on everything you need at <a target='_blank'href="http://george.com/" target="_blank">George</a> or <a target='_blank'href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">pop into your local store</a>.

Kitchen essentials chefs couldn't live without

By ASDA Admin,4th October 2017

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