Neccessary Kitchen Items

[dylan's alias]

Lemon and lime juice come from lemons and limes, not plastic containers that look like lemons and limes. Seriously. Bottled juices are nasty.

Using fresh ingredients is so much better and simplifies your pantry. With salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, soy sauce and honey available, you can buy fresh ginger, garlic and citrus juices when you get your protein and vegetables, you are well on the way to a solid meal.

Get a good juicer. I use this constantly. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family...746&f=7783

[Isura]

Might have been mentioned, but sea salt is absolutely essential

[citanul]

onions and onion powder (similarly garlic and garlic powder) are not substitutes for each other.

[gumpzilla]

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Might have been mentioned, but sea salt is absolutely essential

[/ QUOTE ]

This is perhaps the least essential thing mentioned in this thread that I can think of. Salt, obviously, but regular kosher salt or plain old Morton's is going to be more than enough. I don't think salt snobbery is the first frontier to be explored in learning to cook, and so this isn't where I'd wage my battles for ingredient substitution.

[dylan's alias]

Ditto. Sea salt is really only useful as a garnish where the texture will matter. Once it dissolves, all salt is the same. Kosher salt is much easier to use than table salt (I leave a small amount in a wooden box and pick it up with my fingers).

[Dakotasdad]

At least 10 different types of spices. Experiment -- if you don't like something, replace it with something else.

Different mixture of marinates are always good to have on hand.

Good quality beer is a must.

Re-usable skewers and other grilling utensils.

More good quality beer.

[pokah5]

cheese cheese and more cheese!!!!!!

and wine ldo...

[JanelleBB7]

Food. is this too sarcastic? Some of my friends just have condiments in their fridges.

[jeffnc]

[ QUOTE ]
Might have been mentioned, but sea salt is absolutely essential

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?? Hardly.

[En Passant]

Can someone please provide some information on what a good cooking set would consist of? Is it better to buy pieces individually, or in a set?