It's no secret that all the stuff you need can add up ($$$$) very quickly. Even if you remain a budget zealot, only hitting discount stores, your total may sky rocket in no time flat. One of the best tactics is to ask your mom, dad, aunts, uncles, etc. if they have any items they'd like to replace and take the heirloom with you. The key here: ASK first. Nothing more exasperating than searching for a can opener that is enjoying dorm life in Chicago or Boston or wherever!
Pots & Pans
non-stick 10" skillet
2.5 quart sauce pan
6 quart stock pot
8" square baking pan
13" x 9" Pyrex baking dish
baking sheet with raised edges
muffin tin: you can get by with one if you bake in shifts when making more than 12 or something
Good Knives
paring
chopping
bread
Utensils
spatula: silicone, heat-proof is a must
flipper: metal or silicone
wooden spoon x 2
slotted spoon
whisk
vegetable peeler: a good one such as OXO. A cheap peeler will break your heart & hand
can opener: again, a good still costs less than $10 and will actually work
Baking
mixing bowl
measuring cups
measuring spoons
Cutting board: larger size, plastic
Grater
Colander
Pots & Pans
non-stick 10" skillet
2.5 quart sauce pan
6 quart stock pot
8" square baking pan
13" x 9" Pyrex baking dish
baking sheet with raised edges
muffin tin: you can get by with one if you bake in shifts when making more than 12 or something
Good Knives
paring
chopping
bread
Utensils
spatula: silicone, heat-proof is a must
flipper: metal or silicone
wooden spoon x 2
slotted spoon
whisk
vegetable peeler: a good one such as OXO. A cheap peeler will break your heart & hand
can opener: again, a good still costs less than $10 and will actually work
Baking
mixing bowl
measuring cups
measuring spoons
Cutting board: larger size, plastic
Grater
Colander
Every now and then recipes will be punctuated with some gotta have ’em basics. Could be equipment. Perhaps an essential ingredient. But these are things that go beyond whim or desire. These are items you need. And as all my children will sadly confirm, I have an unending preach-iness when it comes to the gospel of want vs. need. To be clear, I am on the side of need.
Anyway: the colander. This you need. You need it to drain pasta. Rinse fruits &veggies. Strain soups or sauces, though you will be doing more of the first two than this last one. Even though I am an enormous cheap skate, I advise buying a stainless steel colander with short legs or a rounded base to lift your valuables away from whatever is rushing though. Good handles are necessary for obvious reasons. I also prefer metal as opposed to plastic because I don’t like heated plastic cheek-to-cheek with food. Just call it mother’s intuition. You don’t need to spend much more than $10.00 for a good one. Check out Marshall’s or HomeGoods in addition Target or Walmart. Saw some at Target for $7.00. The one pictured here is from Marshall’s and cost $12.00. Guess who is going to college with a shiny new colander?
