What equipment do french people use to cook?

It's impossible to say definitively what equipment *all* French people use to cook, as cooking practices and preferences vary widely across the country. However, there are some common pieces of equipment associated with French cuisine:

Essential Kitchen Equipment:

* Cast Iron Skillet: Versatile for searing meats, frying, and making omelets. French cuisine emphasizes browning and caramelization, making a cast iron pan ideal.

* Heavy-bottomed Saucepan: Useful for simmering sauces, soups, and stews. They ensure even heat distribution for consistent cooking.

* Chef's Knife: A good chef's knife is essential for chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients.

* Wooden Cutting Board: A sturdy wooden board is ideal for protecting knives and surfaces.

* Garlic Press: Used extensively in French cuisine, a garlic press makes it easy to crush garlic cloves.

* Whisk: For blending ingredients and incorporating air into sauces and batters.

* Potato Masher: Essential for creating smooth mashed potatoes.

* Colander: For straining pasta, rice, and vegetables.

* Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise measuring of ingredients.

* Baking Sheet: For roasting vegetables, baking bread, and cookies.

* Small Saucepan: For melting butter, making sauces, or reheating soups.

Specialty Equipment:

* Crêpe Pan: For making thin and delicate crêpes.

* Fondue Pot: For enjoying melted cheese or chocolate fondue.

* Mandoline: For slicing vegetables thinly and evenly.

* Pâté Knife: For spreading pâté and other soft spreads.

* Pastry Cutter: For cutting butter into flour for pie crusts and pastries.

* Rolling Pin: For rolling out dough for pastries and breads.

* Soup Tureen: For serving soup or stew.

Beyond Equipment:

French cuisine also emphasizes using fresh, high-quality ingredients and cooking techniques like:

* Sautéing: Cooking ingredients quickly in a small amount of fat.

* Poaching: Cooking ingredients gently in liquid.

* Braising: Cooking ingredients slowly in liquid over low heat.

* Roasting: Cooking ingredients in the oven.

Remember, these are just a few common examples. French cooking is as diverse as the country itself, with each region having its own culinary traditions and favorite equipment.