When I was 20, I thought cooking was what I was doing when I made Shake & Bake chicken and Rice-a-Roni for Nick and I’s first meal. In a house he shared with five other guys. (No visual cues needed for the state of that kitchen).
Eight years later and I’ve discovered what it truly means to cook a meal. To leave your mind on the other side of the table so you can hover over a counter to mince vegetables and herbs and measure spices and press garlic in peace. Who needs a therapist when you can have a cutting board?
I’m OCD in my kitchen (which has, if you notice, foam green metal cabinets—an original ’50s throw-back to our house that promptly helped us fall in love with it). When I’m responsible for a meal, I line up all my prep bowls just so, wipe down the counters between every task and read the recipe three times before I begin. It’s why, as much as I wish I could, I’d never be good as a professional chef. Or as a contestant on Hell’s Kitchen. But hey, a girl can daydream and sometimes, this is what she dreams about …
In my house, I’m in charge of what graces the dinner table. And to me, that’s the best part about cooking: Treating it more like a culinary adventure and less like a chore. So who’s coming over for dinner next? 
Here’s a few must-haves for the Werner kitchen. Got any kitchen goodies you can’t live without that you want to share? Hit me up in the comments. ‘Cause I can talk about food, food prep and the merits of having a garbage bowl Rachel-Ray style any time
1) A great set of knives: We got this set of Henckels knives when we got married and they get used every day (sometimes to cut stuff not intended..ahem). If you want to get serious in the kitchen, having a good quality set of knives is essential (so, yeah, buying ‘em at Wal-Mart probably isn’t going to cut it. No, really, I mean that. Literally.)
2) Garlic press: Here’s the thing—do you NEED a garlic press? No. But owning one of these means you’re using fresh garlic in your food. Which means you’re cooking real, authentic food. Food that tastes good. And that makes you feel that much closer to Mario Batali (is there anyone else out there who has this on their Netflix the way I do? HA!)
3) Fresh lemons: This kind of comes back to Number 2. Having fresh lemons in the house brings zest to the kitchen. It’s like, you know how you feel better if you wear something nice outta the closet? Something a little peppier than the norm that, heck, maybe you even ironed first? Well, consider lemons that zippy addition to your kitchen’s wardrobe.
4) A good can opener: Okay, so let me tell you I’ve tried this both ways. Electric and with a $4 jobbie, and neither one stood up to the test of time. Until my friend Joy (who bought me that awesome apron you see in this photo) introduced me to the Oxo can opener. No more lids in the can, no more tiring myself out in the process (cut me some slack, I’m a leftie and they don’t make these things for us!). This is the best out there. And you thought people didn’t have an opinion about these things!
5) Preparation bowls: You know what makes these handy little bowls (perfect for pooling together the spices and chopped veggies and herbs you might need) even better? THEY DOUBLE AS MEASURING CUPS. Ladies, if you’re looking for a gift for a gal, I assure you, this is that “thing” your girlfriend doesn’t know she needs but once she has, she’ll use every day and think of you Having these around instantly makes cooking more fun, I promise.
6) My subscription to Cooking Light: I swear on a stack of these ‘zines that I’ve yet to make a bad recipe out of one of ‘em. Yummy meals made with real ingredients that are, no joke, lick-your-plate good. Like, the first time I ever made this, I’m not even kidding those were the exact words out of Nick’s mouth. He may have even said ‘em with his mouth full $10 for the year? TOTALLY worth it. Even if you only make one meal a month from its pages.
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by Gail Werner
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