Cooking basics 101. Let's start!

Welcome again.  This is Step1.  To prepare yourself for any culinary adventure you would have to have the right tools - a good knife, sharpening rod, cutting board, clean towels, and mixing bowls of different sizes.  The cutting boards can consist of the plastic cutting boards that last longer and the wooden ones that don't last as long but are better for your knife, in my opinion.  The knife should be an all around cutting, slicing, dicing, and chopping utensil so quality is worth the extra dollar.  Germans knives are one of the top quality knives due to their steel.  Solid and durable they manage to keep their sharpness and can take a beating.  Sharpening rods don't necessarily sharpen the knife.  It's more to smooth out the blade during use.  Depending on the quality of your blade you may have to sharpen the knife with a sharpening stone or taking it to a professional.  Next is your basic ingredients.  I always prepare myself with the following spices - salt, pepper, fresh garlic, sugar, olive oil, and basil.