If you have never cooked before or are trying to stock a kitchen with the bare essentials, then look no further. This list includes all the basic components you need to start cooking. Also, if you are going on vacation and plan on cooking, refer to this as your packing list to make sure you don’t forget anything. Some items on this list will serve you better (and longer) if you spend a little more and get a good-quality item. However, some items can be found for next to nothing at any local store. The thing to remember about kitchen equipment is that if you invest in good tools and take care of them, they will last you a lifetime.
- Skillet – This is the number one tool you need because it is very versatile. You can cook almost anything with it in a pinch. We recommend a 12-inch (minimum 10-inch), non-stick skillet because it is easy to work with and easy to clean. Take care not to use metal utensils on any skillet that has a Teflon or non-stick coating because this will ruin the finish. Also, get one with a lid if you can.
- Spatula – This tool can be used for mixing, stirring, or scraping – to name a few. We recommend investing in a silicon spatula because it has a higher melting point and if you forget and leave it in a pot, it won’t become a part of your meal. We also prefer the kind that are all one piece instead of the ones that come apart at the head because the ones that come apart can get food stuck in them permanently and tend to break easier.
- Knife – It is normally easier to buy a knife block with several knives because then you have the right knife for whatever you happen to be doing. However, knives can be pretty expensive. If you had to get just one knife, get an 8-inch, stainless steel chef’s knife.
These sandwiches make a great weekday meal and don’t take very long to prepare. Serve them with a side of Steamfresh vegetables for a simple healthy dinner. We happen to love Steamfresh because you can stock up and don’t have to worry about vegetables rotting in the refrigerator when life gets busy. It is also the perfect way to add a healthy side to an entrée to turn it into a meal. But enough about frozen, microwavable vegetables. If you like this recipe idea, but don’t own a grill, don’t worry! Check out the Tips section for 2 alternatives to grilling. Is there anything you would change about this recipe? Do you have ideas for making it tastier or healthier? If so, please share with the class by leaving a comment with your recommendations.
This recipe is a great Italian recipe that we adapted from Olive Garden. The original recipe can be seen 
Tonight is our first entry in the “Quick ‘n Tasty” category. This category will showcase fast, simple meals that don’t take a lot of time to make. It can be hard to come up with quick meals during the week that are: a) not fast food, b) not from a box, and c) well-balanced. So check out this category when you are in need of a quick week-day meal.
