What’s in My Cooking Travel Kit

Cooking your own meals is a great way to save money when traveling in Italy (or anywhere else)!  I always look for an apartment with a kitchen, but even so, sometimes I find there are a few essentials missing.  Here's what I've put together to take with me.

A pepper grinder and a pill keeper with herbs.  I love to cook with freshly ground pepper.  It's a touch that can make a big difference.  I especially like tellicherry pepper.  My husband bought me this small pepper grinder at a shop in Bologna.  I created labels with my label maker and used this four times a day pill keeper to take along a bit of the spices I use most frequently.  I bought my pill keeper at my local grocery store, but there is a similar pill keeper here on Amazon.  Salt can be a good idea.  Most apartments have salt, but often it is in an open box setting in the cupboard.

These cutting mats are light weight and flexible.  Use one for vegetables and another for meats.  The grater is good for herbs and cheeses (or adding a bit of a chocolate bar to a dessert).

A quarter sheet size silicone baking mat will keep things from sticking when you want to heat something in the oven.  Alternatively you could purchase carta da forno (parchment paper) at the local grocery store.  Beeswax wraps are reusable and good for keeping leftover foods fresh.

This is my splurge, an awsome travel kit from Williams Sonoma.  One of the kitchens in an apartment we rented had no sharp knives or cutting boards.  These knives are by Wusthof and the accompanying sharpener will keep them in beautiful shape.  I bought this kit because  Wusthof makes quality knives, the kit had a sharpener, and it came in a nice zippered case.  The scissors are not necessary, but nice, and I've never found a kitchen in Italy without a corkscrew.  Don't forget to pack your kitchen knives in a checked bag--don't put it in a carry on bag.