Don't be scared - cooking is fun. But you need some basics. Start getting a few things and add to your collection of kitchen equipment as time goes. Chopping board. This is something very basic, as you can't chop anything without having a chopping board. It is very versatile, as you can chop pretty much anything on it. A knife. Again, this is very basic, but you will not be able to chop or cook anything without a knife. A good, sharp knife goes a long way to help you prepare food. A big pot. You need a pot for pretty much anything - from boiling pastas to making soups to stewing to pretty much anything else. Some pots come with colander inserts, which makes it easier to cook pasta. A saute pan. Again, they are very versatile, a good trick is getting ones without wooden handles, so that you can put the saute in the oven as well. Roasting Pan. These are perfect for preparing things in the oven. From roast to roasted chicken to roasted vegetables, a ro...