<p>America’s Test Kitchen Cookbook is affiliated with Cook’s Illustrated. It has tons of advice and equipment recommendations in the book. I’m always picking up back issues of CI at our library bookstore. Cook’s Illustrated also does an annual cookbook of their recipes (which I think just basically reprints the magazine) along the lines of the annual Southern Living cookbooks.</p>
<p>Lookingforward advocates the non-stick and I like the regular. The coating eventually wears off and since it IS non-stick won’t brown meats the same and let you get that good stuff in the bottom of pans to make gravies. I’ve never had any problem cleaning my pan (there are some great tricks to learn that make it simple). But it all depends on personal preference.</p>
<p>If they don’t have a knife sharpener, the best is the Chef’s Choice 130. I don’t intend to start one of those wars about the best way to sharpen knives. I set a task to remind me to sharpen all the knives each week. Makes cooking much better.</p>
<p>I also recommend Cooks. They run that, ATK and Cooks Country. ATK started as their TV show for public TV and is also a website. Cooks Country is their version of more down home cooking and is now a separate magazine and website. Same people, one company, a sometimes bewildering number of websites. (By way of disclosure, their offices are down the street from my house and I know some of the people. By down the street, I don’t mean Chris Kimball’s house in Vermont.) You should understand their methodology. Recipes, for example, are multi-round crowd tested so I find they may be a little too “medianized” for my taste. But they excel at analyzing technique and at finding ways to bring out the best flavor and appearance in a rational manner. Best cooking magazine available. Their product reviews are great.</p>
<p>This is a funny thread title. I read cooking as an action verb every time. Am I the only one?</p>
<p>OH SHOOT! I meant NOT non-stick and missed the error. I have a whole set of Calphalon non-stick (a gift and not the lowest line, ) and no matter what care you use, the frying pans do not hold up. I am angling for a set of All-Clad larger pans. (I have small- and agree, no problem cleaning. The old Brillo pad trick does it.)</p>
<p>Cook’s reminds me of how much I learned, ages ago, as a young novice from Joy Of Cooking. I also love Cooking Light magazine, especially in the past year or so, where so many recipes are more exotic.</p>
<p>-how about a really great cutting board?</p>
<p>Hey, how about cooking lessons???</p>
<p>HeyLookingForward–BB&B on a sale is the way to go! Too funny!
To OP–are you there? Cooking lessons are so much fun! and very anniversary-y.
We don’t personally cook in a toaster oven but even toaster ovens have supplies–mini baking pans and plates for example.</p>
<p>Here I was, biting my tongue so as not to engage in my usual anti-non-stick diatribe! Clearly not needed. :D</p>
<p>Thanks for all the helpful responses folks!</p>
<p>My parents are all about fxn over form. Mum just made some pulled pork the other week. They only have the basics- wok, George Forman grill, toaster oven, rice cooker. Both got into cooking about a year ago after trying to making fried ice cream. They’ve since gotten into some healthier meal choices (cholesterol issues). </p>
<p>Should a slow cooker be on the list?</p>
<p>I love my slow cooker. But they are pretty cheap, under $50.</p>
<p>You can get them a sous vide cooker if they’re really into neat stuff. Or you can get them a kit to convert a slow cooker into a sous vide cooker for less if they’re into diy.</p>
<p>Slow cooker is great–especially a programmable one. Rival has a great cookbook “Crock Pot Recipe Collection” (over 500 recipes–some great stuff in there!)</p>
<p>My neighbor just gave me a banana stand. I really love it.</p>
<p>Lergnom, do you have a sous vide cooker? If so, can you tell us about it, and what/how you make in it?</p>
<p>You can buy a kit for like $125 that is a temperature controller which works with a slow cooker. Or you can make your own. There are diy sites with instructions. The controller regulates the temperature accurately. You can include a circulator so the heat is more evenly distributed. Most people don’t bother with that. I’ve seen ones built with a $15 crock pot. </p>
<p>Search for sous vide controller, sous vide kit, sous vide project, etc.</p>
<p>I hate to bust the entire budget… but go with a Vitamix or Blendtec blender. Way more than $200 but the single appliance that I use ALL THE TIME.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>^^dmd’s suggestion is a good one. Blenders are great for making healthy things like smoothies and soups. If $300 is waaay over the budget, then a handheld immersion blender such as the one I suggested upthread is a good choice, IMO.</p>
<p>I covet a Vitamix blender. Too expensive this year but soon…</p>
<p>Unicorn Magnum Peppermill - It actually works to quickly grind a lot of pepper.
[Unicorn</a> Mills, Pepper Mills, Salt Mills, The best performing pepper and salt mills in the world.](<a href=“http://www.unicornmills.com/]Unicorn”>http://www.unicornmills.com/)</p>
<p>Thermoworks Thermapen Instant Read Thermometer
[ThermoWorks</a> - Splash-Proof Thermapen Thermometer](<a href=“http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/]ThermoWorks”>http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/)</p>
<p>If you do buy a toaster, get a long slot. You can toast two regular slices side by side, or a long slice when you need it.
[url=<a href=“Overstock.com: Online Shopping - Bedding, Furniture, Electronics, Jewelry, Clothing & more”>Overstock.com: Online Shopping - Bedding, Furniture, Electronics, Jewelry, Clothing & more]Cuisinart-2-Slice-Long-Slot-Motorized-Toaster[/url</a>]</p>
<p>I love my rice cooker (but, I’m Asian) ;)</p>
<p>A set of Cast Iron Pans is nice too. Find used ones on Craigslist, and restore them. An electrolyte bath with a car battery charger for the weekend does wonders to a corroded pan. Then a few hours seasoning. Not expensive (I got a 3 pan set and dutch oven for $25), but a gift of your time - priceless. Old pans are much better than the new stuff they make.</p>
<p>High quality meat grinder and sausage stuffer.</p>
<p>If they have the ceiling height and cooking island: Pot rack</p>
<p>Wine making kit. Find a place you can sample the wines, so you can find the mix you like.</p>
<p>I second the knife idea. But, I would get the Wusthof-Trident Santoku Knife (I assume they have the conventional chief knife, etc.). Make sure you buy the Classic line or better. Wusthof does make cheaper lines, like Gourmet</p>