Must Have Item: 8 Quart Pot for boiling pasta and steaming vegetables and seafood.
Cost: Approx. $60 - $80 depending on size and quality

I have had to rummage through several bachelor pad kitchens and one thing that always seems to be missing is a nice big pot. Understandably, the single man only needs a 2-quart pot to boil up some mac and cheese, but what if he has company? What if he invites a woman over for his special spaghetti dish only to find that his pot is so small that he has to cook his pasta in batches?

Everyone should have a large multi-purpose pot. The most important reason is that in order to cook pasta correctly it should have plenty of water to cook in. Having this pot handy, you will be prepared to cook an inexpensive pasta meal for two or ten. Look for a pot that comes as a multi-purpose set. Included will be at least one insert used for draining pasta, steaming seafood, or steaming large vegetables such as corn on the cob, asparagus, and broccoli. I recommend Calphalon's 8-Quart Stainless Steel 4-Piece Set. It comes with both a deep and shallow insert, so you can choose a more shallow container for smaller portions and more delicate foods such as fish.

The Technique:

Boiling pasta is one of the first things you learn how to cook. It's a simple skill. Now that you have a nice big pot, you can take it a step further and apply some gourmet finesse. One pound of pasta should be boiled in 6 quarts of well-salted water. The reason for the salt is so that the pasta can move and cook evenly in the pot -- it prevents the strands from sticking to each other and to the pot. When the pasta reaches the desired al dente consistency, rather than having to pour out your pasta into a separate colander (which can be dangerous), simply lift the insert carefully out of the pot. Hold the insert above the pot until most of the water has drained out, and set it aside.

Steaming - it's one of the easiest ways to prepare fresh produce with minimal effort and have it taste amazing. Fill up the bottom of the pot with a couple inches of water, so it's just below the level of the insert. It's fine if you can see the water level just barely covering the bottom of the insert. Buy one of those bags of pre-cut broccoli florets, open the bag and dump it into the insert. Place the lid on top of the pot and bring the water to a boil. It won't take long, so watch it closely until those bubbles are rising, then reduce the heat until you have a steady simmer and lots of steam. Let those veggies steam until they reach their desired tenderness. When in doubt, just grab a piece and taste! Keep an eye on your water level, because if you let it boil too long, you may have to periodically add more water in, one cup at a time. You can also try this with a fish, such as salmon. In this case, use the more shallow insert so you can have easy access to the fish. Slice up a lemon and place the round slices along the bottom of the pan underneath the fish. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper and more lemon slices. Place the lid on and steam away. The fish is ready when you can poke at it with a fork and it flakes as easily as your stoner friends.

Here is a Linguini With Clams recipe for two that you can make in your own kitchen using just one pot. Imagine how impressed your date will be when you present her with a dish she would normally order in her favorite Italian restaurant. It's rustic, romantic, and practically foolproof. Add some candles and you may find yourself re-enacting the famous Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene.