Utensils

There is nothing more satisfying to the eye than a kitchen filled with beautiful utensils (cooking tools - Chambers 21st Century Dictionary), and wouldn't we all love to have a complete set of that boldly coloured, cast iron, enamelled French cookware (if they would like to sponsor this blog, I will gladly mention the name and include numerous artistic photographs), or the fabulous medical grade stainless steel waterless cookware that lasts longer than any marriage and has a pot that costs more than a small stove. However, unless you put in the effort, even the most expensive pots will not produce a better meal than a cheap aluminium saucepan from the local hardware store (okay, maybe a little exaggeration - I personally cannot bring myself to cook in aluminium).

A set of stainless steel 18/10 grade pots and frying pans will set you up for life. Experience has taught me that coated pans do not last and I have wondered how, if the material used is non-stick, they make it stick to the pan in the first place. Also, it is supposedly indestructible even though it can chip off, and I don't really fancy having it going through my digestive system or even perhaps becoming part of it. A heavy bottomed pan is essential, as it won't warp and create an uneven surface for stoves with solid plates or a ceramic top.

A gas hob and electric oven are, for me, the ideal arrangement, but always keep a spare gas cylinder, as there is nothing worse than running out of gas as you are beginning dinner.

The most useful item in a kitchen is the hand-held, stick blender with the chopping bowl attachment; this saves an awful lot of washing up by using it directly in the pot of soup that you want to puree or potatoes you want to crush with a little butter and not much fuss.

You can get away with very little in the way of knick-knack type of gadgets, as long as you have a very good set of super-sharp knives and a top quality vegetable peeler. Once you have experience in chopping vegetables, you really will find that manual is the way to go. I have a drawer filled with gadgets collected over the years that are just too much bother to use e.g. a garlic crusher is no better than pressing the flat side of a large knife onto the garlic clove - same result, instantly.

Another essential - a dishwasher - don't believe it when you tell yourself you would never need it because there are only two of you. Just have enough plates for 2 days!

Last item - microwave - useful for defrosting and warming up.