
Outfitting Your Kitchen
The most important thing you can do in outfitting your kitchen is to get the proper equipment that will last you for years. This does not mean you have to pay a lot. Goodwill and garage sales are a great way to find glass baking dishes, casserole dishes and mixing bowls. If the casserole dishes and baking dishes look a little ‘crusty’…just use oven cleaner on them and they will look like new.
Every kitchen that is going to handle cooking for two people or more needs:
- 1 8-inch non-stick fry-pan (I recommend T-Fal brand)
- 1 12-inch non-stick fry-pan with lid (I recommend T-Fal brand)
- 1 1 quart heavy stainless steel saucepan
- 1 4 quart heavy stainless steel saucepan with lid
- 1 large soup pot (non-stick finish) with lid
- 1 Steamer (I found the best deals on eBay described as either of the following (depending if you are a pasta lover): 1) 4.5 Quart 22cm Stainless Steel Steam Pot Vegetable 2) 8Qt Stainless Steel 4 pc Stock Port w/Deep Pasta multi-cooker & Strainer
- 1 9 X 9 inch baking pan/dish
- 1 9 X 5 loaf pan
- 1 11 X 17 non-sick baking pan
- 1 9 X 13 baking dish/pan
- 1 non-stick cookie sheet
- 1 muffin tin (each well is cupcake size)
- 1 one-quart casserole dish with lid
- 1 two-quart casserole dish with lid
- 1 four-quart casserole dish with lid
- 1 Deep-Dish Glass Pie Dish
I use lots of foil baking pans I can get at the Dollar Store or for much less at ‘Kash N Karry if you have in your neck of the woods.

You will also want:
- Plastic wrap
- Reynolds Aluminum Foil
- Reynolds Non-Stick Foil
- 1-Quart Zip Lock Freezer Bags
- Gallon Size Zip Lock Freezer Bags
- Wax Paper
- If you are a cookie baker also Parchment Paper
- Spices and Such
- Flour, Baking Soda & Baking Powder
- Sugar (white and brown)
- Yellow Corn Meal
- Rice (Jasmine or Thai)
- Corn Starch
- Knorr Bouillon (Chicken & Beef)
- Broth (Chicken & Beef)
- Egg Noodles (extra-wide)
- Lawry’s Garlic Salt
- Lawry’s Lemon Pepper
- Garlic Powder and fresh garlic
- Johnny’s Seasoned Salt (www.johnnysfinefoods.com)
- Kitchen Bouquet (ask where located from grocery store attendant)
- Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, pickle relish (sweet & dill)
- Dried Tarragon (can get in bulk on-line if do not live in a city)
- Dried Basil, Oregano, Fennel, Chili Powder, Cumin & Rosemary, Dill weed
- Sea Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper and Celery Salt
- Soy Sauce & Tempura Sauce
- Campbell’s Tomato, Cream of Celery & Cream of Mushroom soups
- Velveeta and Colby Jack Cheese

Other Utensil Must Haves
Mixing bowls, measuring spoons, measuring cups, colander, cutting mats, grater, spatulas, soup scoops, cooking spoons, pasta scoops, veggie peeler, and tongs are a given.
Measuring Cups – You will want a 2 cup glass one for sure and then a set of plastic ones also. One of my favorites for measuring anything fat-based (like shortening or peanut butter) is the Metric Wonder Cup from Milmour Products and is sold on Amazon.com
Knives – The very best knives you can buy are from Cutco and they are expensive; but are guaranteed for life, Use ceramic knives from Walmart except for a great serrated knife and veggie knife (spend the money for them) until you can afford buying Cutco. You may have to buy one knife at a time from Cutco until you have what you need.
I tested ceramic knives I purchased at WalMart and they work very well. Do not wash in dishwasher as dulls the blade. Also store in their protective sleeves. Do not try cutting frozen food with as will break the knife.
Wide Mouth Funnel – can buy cheaply through Amazon.com