1. Knives
You don't need the 30-piece knife set you received as a shower gift. There are four basic knives that will get the job done. A 10-inch chef's knife is the workhorse of the kitchen and is good for just about anything but cardboard! A flexible boning knife is what you need for removing meat from a turkey carcass, for instance. A paring knife is used for smaller, more delicate jobs. And a long, serrated knife is essential for cutting breads, cakes, and things that are at risk from crushing when using a conventional knife.