Neccessary Kitchen Items

[Rococo]

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Herb wise other than what's already been mentioned I'd suggest (dried) Basil, Thyme, Oregano and maybe rosemary.

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Dried basil is worthless. You might as well julienne some newsprint and sprinkle it on your food.

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this is not necessarily true. Dried herbs, especially basil, are usually much better to use when you are cooking something for a long time, such as chili etc. because they release their flavors slower and you get much more depth in the taste. Some herbs dont dry well (parsley for example), basil def does, for a "quick cook" fresh is obv better, but for a long simmer/boil/etc dried is.

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Some herbs dry well. Basil most definitely is not one of them.

Cook's Illustrated article

[J.A.Sucker]

Case of beer in the fridge is necessary for good cooking to occur. So is a decent stash of wine and a bottle of scotch.

Then get one very good chef's knife. You can use it for about anything.

Other items:

Bottle opener
Cork opener
Spatula
Tongs
Meat Thermometer (more people need to use this)
Decent cookbooks (I'm sure there are rec's on here to be found)
Mixing bowls (three)
16 oz & 32 oz measuring cups
Measuring spoons (the little plastic ones on a keychain)
Measuring scoops (1 set)
Garlic press
Veggie peeler
Pots and pans

Stock spice items:
Salt and Pepper (get the disposable grinders for each)
Garlic and onion powders
Hot sauce (Tapatio, Chalula, Tabasco, etc)
A1, Ketchup, Mustard
Soy Sauce, Worchestershire sauce
Olive oil
Butter, sugar, brown sugar, molasses (especially if you BBQ)
Fresh garlic, onion
Accumulate other spices as you need them. After awhile, you'll be hooked up.

That should get you started.

[dylan's alias]

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my apartment has NO usable chefs knives. No set, nothing big, everything is dull. I'm willing to spring a little. What should I get? (kit should include sharpener)

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Get one big chef's knife. It doesn't have to cost much, just be comfortable in your hand.

I have a set of Wusthof knives that were moderately expensive, but I still like using the Chicago Cutlery chef's knife that I paid $20 for about 15 years ago. It's a little lighter than the Wusthofs, but is sharp as hell and very comfortable to use.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=br_fq__all/1...availability=-1

As for the rest, try sharpening what you have - I bought this sharpener for $12 at Ace hardware and it does a great job:

[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

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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...