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Then I found myself faced with the ominous task of filling my empty kitchen with the foods and tools needed to make these masterpieces.

The first thing that hit me was cost. There was no way I could afford everything on my list (and believe me, it was long). I shortened it, went to the store, came home and shortened it again, and then broke down and called my mom.

She recommended things I honestly didn’t think I’d need right away. So, what did I do? I didn’t get them. This was one of those times when mom was right. Don’t you hate that when it happens?

She told me to make sure and get a rolling pin. I didn’t. So on my very first Thanksgiving I ended up using a washed beer bottle to make my piecrusts.

She told me to get a colander (pasta strainer). I didn’t, thinking I could just use the lids of the pots to drain my noodles. My second time doing that ended with a nursing assistant trying hard not to laugh as he brought me the burn care literature the ER doctor wanted me to take home with me.

She told me to get three different mixing bowls…. I don’t remember which law of physics it is, but there’s one that states ‘two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time and remain separate’. Okay, so it might not be an actual law, but if you want to test the theory go ahead and try to make cookies from scratch (any recipe) using only one mixing bowl. The results are usually interesting, if not inedible. Then try making an entire dinner for four with only one.

So, what do we need? It’s tempting to get the pretty serving dishes first, but trust me, you’ll be much happier getting the utensils and tools first. It’s also tempting to hop on that great sale Great Cooks is having on fondue sets, but that same $15 can you tons of far more useful items at Wal-Mart.

Here’s the basic kitchen set up for a family of 1-4:

1. Three mixing bowls of varying sizes. Steel is the most versatile and can go in the oven or over a gas stove, but if you’re a ‘microwave cook’ it would be best to get the glass.

2. A package of wooden spoons, long handled. If you’re getting them from an eaches bin grab four.

3. Two large metal or tempered plastic stir spoons. Wood is great for most things but it tends to be unwieldy when your trying to drizzle, spread, or taste.

4. Three skillets of varying sizes. The largest one should have enough room to cook a box of hamburger helper (even if you know you’ll never use hamburger helper).
5. Three pots w/ lids; again, varying sizes. The largest should be at least 5 quarts, or big enough to boil enough pasta for everyone.

6. A vegetable knife. Sometimes called a ‘chief’s knife’ this would be the big one with the fat, tapering blade. A serrated vegetable knife can double as a bread knife if need be.

7. Two pairing knives. These are the tiny little knives with thin, tapered blades. Pairing knives are never serrated.

8. One colander; also called a pasta strainer. They come in steel, plastic, and aluminum. If you can only get one I recommend the plastic, but make sure it’s big enough to actually be useful. Steel is another good choice, but it’s more expensive.

9. A set of measuring cups. It’s tempting to get the one huge glass liquid measurer, but you’ll quickly learn this isn’t a very good option when trying to measure level cups of any given powder.

10. A set of measuring spoons. Believe it or not, the ‘tablespoon’ in a place setting isn’t the same as a tablespoon measurer…

11. A vegetable peeler. An extremely thin pairing knife can be used for peeling fruits and vegetables, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you aren’t extremely practiced with a technique called nimble cutting.

12. Two spatulas. When first starting out I recommend the cheap plastic ones. Just don’t leave them too close to the stove.

13. 6 hand towels or kitchen rags. Don’t opt for the fancy ones because chances are you’ll find yourself wanting to bleach them at some point.

14. Two potholders. Ever so important! If you can afford more, get more.

15. Place settings for everyone. Those dishes, bowls, and flatware can be used creatively.