Tip TNH Bringing you news, opinion and support every day costs money. Tip us, and help us keep going. Good food begins always with good ingredients. No fancy food processor will make up for wilted vegetables or stale spices. Beyond that, all you need are a few basics, plus whatever add-ons fit your cooking style.
Good knives are a fine place to begin.
Buying a set of high-quality knives is, admittedly, expensive. The best ones last forever, hold a sharp edge, and can be washed in a dishwasher. That way, you can concentrate on the pieces you need. An eight-inch chef's knife, a paring knife, a serrated knife for bread, and a thin slicing knife may be all you need. If you develop a need for a special knife later, like a boning knife or a Chinese cleaver, you can then add it.