Marnie asks: What’s the basic stuff I need for my kitchen? I’m moving into my first apartment and don’t have a lot of money for extras.

Congrats on the apartment and on your desire to cook. You’ll save money… money that can be used, perhaps, for that Mauviel copper sauté pan you covet. Buy what you can afford now and upgrade when you’re able (or, let someone help you by dropping subtle hints when gift-giving opportunities present themselves).

Most of the things on my list are items that my grandmother would have had in her kitchen. Okay, I’ll admit she didn’t have SILICONE spatulas, but she did have spatulas in different shapes and sizes…. and her instant read thermometer was her nose and thumb.

The point is that you don’t need a kitchen full of stuff to cook. Just the passion to do it for yourself and for those you love.

As Julia Child said:

“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.”

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