A 2-quart saucepan is good for smaller jobs like heating milk or melting butter. For a cheaper alternative, consider nonstick. Best Buy: CALPHALON Contemporary Nonstick 2.5-Quart Shallow Saucepan.

Ideal for soups, stews, stocks, braises - even frying and baking. For a cheaper alternative try TRAMONTINA 6.5-Quart Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven

Don't buy nonstick; the dark finish camouflages the crusty brown bits you need to make gravy for roasted meats. Best Buy: KITCHENAID Gourmet Distinctions Roasting Pan with Rack

The best insurance against varying oven temperatures.

Keeps track of two dishes at once.

In the magazine its labeled as the "PYREX Bakeware 13 x 9 Inch Baking Pan"

For a wood cutting board they recommend is the "Totally Bamboo Congo"

For the ultimate bread knive they recommend the "Wusthof 10-inch Classic Bread Knife ($89.95)"