The pizza guy knows your order by heart, and you have the Chinese place on speed-dial. Since you moved into your apartment, you’ve ventured into your kitchen to make breakfast - a pop-tart. It’s time you get to know your kitchen. Knowing the basics will allow you not only to save money but eat healthier. And, believe it or not, it’s not that difficult.

The Basics for your Apartment Kitchen

Ok, so your apartment kitchen probably not all that glamorous. A sink, refrigerator, stove/oven and a microwave - that’s probably about the extent of it. The good news is that’s all you need. Well, that and a few various kitchen sundries. Don’t go hog wild - even consider stopping by a thrift store or rummage sale if funds are tight. Better yet, hit up your parents for their hand-me-downs. (Don’t forget - you can earn cash-back by shopping at WilliamPaid.com.)

Here are some of the basic kitchenware you’ll need.

• A good-sized skillet, two sauce pans and a larger pot (think: making spaghetti)
• A bread knife, two paring knives and a larger Chef’s knife
• Basic utensils: two large plastic or wooden spoons, one flat spatula, one stir-spatula and a pizza cutter
• Can and bottle opener
• Two mixing bowls
• A measuring cup (best if you can get separate measuring cups for dry and wet items)
• A baking dish and a cake pan
• Cutting board
• Cheese grater

A Quick Trip to the Store

In addition to the kitchen hardware, you’ll need to run to the grocery store. Again, it’s really simple to stock your apartment kitchen for the basics. At a bare minimum, you’ll need basic herbs and spices: don’t go crazy here - buy what you need for the recipes you’ll make, but probably basil, thyme, ginger and a general seasoning salt (don’t forget salt and pepper). Over time, you’ll start collecting the various herbs and spices. If you plan on doing any baking, add baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, sugar, brown sugar and flour. You might add some pasta, rice, and chicken or veggie broth - just to have it on hand.

While you are at the store, you should pick up some aluminum foil, plastic wrap, zipper bags and disposable plastic containers. After all, you’ll have left-overs - one more benefit of cooking at home.

What are you Hungry for?

It’s easy to go buy (or take donations for) what you need to equip your apartment kitchen. The next step is a little more involved - but still not difficult. What do you want to make? This is a balance between the ingredients you have/can get inexpensively and what your tastes are. There are a couple great sites to help you out. Foodnetwork.com has a great “quick and easy” section that lets you plug in the basics - I want to make a dinner with chicken that can be ready in 30 minutes. Allrecipes.com has a cool feature where you can list the ingredients you have or like and those that you don’t have or don’t like. It’s a great way to figure out what to make with rice krispies, mayo and fish sticks.

Better yet, try reluctantgourmet.com - this website provides great - but simple - basics that will take you a long way. Basic tomato sauce, a simple pasta and oil dinner and an easy vinaigrette. If you want to learn simple recipes, not just heat up canned and bottled food, this is a great website.

Voila. Your apartment kitchen is ready to go. Bon appetit.