Setting up a kitchen is an individual process. Each person has his or her own food preferences. Feel free to pick and choose from the following lists. Remember, this is bare bones. If you want to get serious, check out more extensive options for your kitchen in classic cookbooks like The Joy of Cooking. Bon appétit!
Things to Cook In
• An open jar or container on the kitchen counter to hold commonly used tools like wooden spoons and spatulas
• The best affordable aluminum or stainless-steel pots:
One 4-quart aluminum pot with lid for pasta or soups and stews
Three saucepans with lids: 1½-quart, 2-quart, 3-quart
• 12-inch and 8-inch (preferably iron) skillets with lids; Teflon damages easily and does not last
• Two sturdy pot holders
• Salt and pepper shakers
• Electric coffeemaker
• Toaster oven
• Microwave (if it fits within your budget)
Things to Cook With
• Knives: 3-inch paring, 6-inch utility (carbon stays sharper than stainless steel)
• A pair of tongs
• Vegetable peeler
• Metal measuring spoons
• Pyrex (heat-proof glass) measuring cups: one 4-cup size
• Wooden spoons
• Inexpensive cooking utensil set: long-handled fork, spoon, and spatula
• Wire whisk
• Strainer/sieve/colander to drain pasta or wash salads
• A French steamer insert (to place in pot to steam vegetables)
• 10-inch by 12-inch wooden chopping board
• Bottle and can openers
Optional Items
Rubber spatula, cheese grater, garlic press, spatter shield, Crock-Pot, electric skillet
In the Pantry
• Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, paper towels
• Iodized salt, black pepper
• Oregano, garlic, parsley flakes, paprika, cinnamon, ginger
• Raw nuts, natural peanut butter
• Mustard, ketchup
• Extra-virgin olive oil, cooking spray using canola oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Honey, sugar (to use sparingly)
• Canned crushed tomatoes
• Canned fruits (natural juice)
• Canned chunk light tuna in spring water (albacore tuna is higher in mercury)
• Whole-wheat pasta, brown rice
• Dried fruit, trail mix, protein bars
• Canned and dried beans
• Whole-grain cereal (oatmeal, etc.)
In the Refrigerator
Check expiration date on milk, eggs, and yogurt.
• 1 percent milk
• Butter substitute (no trans fat)
• Eggs
• Low-fat yogurt (plain)
• Low-fat cheese
• Low-fat mayonnaise
• Precut salads
• Fresh fruits
• Fresh vegetables
• Low-fat cottage cheese
In the Freezer
• Ice cubes
• Frozen vegetables
• Frozen veggie burgers
• Low-fat ice cream
• Frozen dinners (Amy’s & Weight Watchers with less than 500 calories and 300mg sodium)
• Whole-grain breads
• Whole-grain waffles
Cleanup and Kitchen Maintenance
• Small plastic dishpan, dish-washing detergent, and long-handle stiff bristle brush
• Plastic dish drainer; dishes will dry themselves
• Six cloth towels; more economical and environmentally friendly than paper towels
• Tough six-gallon plastic garbage can with lid that clamps shut
• Trash bags
Recommended Cookbooks
• Rachael Ray. Rachael Ray Express Lane Meals: What to Keep on Hand, What to Buy Fresh for the Easiest-Ever 30-Minute Meals. New York: Clarkson Potter, 2006.
• Deborah Madison. Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. New York: Broadway, 1997.
• Irma Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker. The Joy of Cooking. New York: Scribner, 2006.
• Joy Bauer and Rosemary Black. The 90/10 Weight Loss Cookbook. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2005.