DIY Life

The Today Show on NBC has answered my prayers. Mark Bittman developed a list of must-haves for the kitchen, a makeover that comes in around $200. This is a great resource for those getting married or those getting into their first apartment.

The list consists of typical items, like a chef's knife, but it also consists of unusual items, like a Japanese mandoline (a thin slicer) . Mark's list also includes brief descriptions of and reasons for each item in the list. Something I like since I had no idea what a Japanese mandoline was before today.

If you've got a bigger budget than $200 for your kitchen, Mark also has a video section that includes the "luxury" kitchen items, but even that additional list comes in under $100. He found everything at a local restaurant supply store, and recommends you do a bit of looking for a supplier in your area. Regardless, enjoy the ease of using Mark's list to redo your kitchen essentials and cook on!