The test kitchen at Everyday Food magazine is certainly well-equipped. But as much as possible, the cooks work with the kinds of tools and supplies found in most homes. Here are what they consider the most essential items for making speedy, healthy meals:

Tools

– A sharp chef’s knife (the sharper your knife, the safer it is for chopping)

– A large, stable cutting board

– Rimmed baking sheet (sometimes called jellyroll pans)

– A cast-iron skillet (which acquires a nonsticklike coating over time)

– Tongs (they act as heatproof hands)

Ingredients

– Oil and vinegar

– Canned beans

– Canned tomato products

– Pasta

– Rice

If you always have these on hands, you can always make dinner, adding whatever vegetables or meat you may have in your refrigerator, says food editor Sandy Gluck.