A few months ago, I wrote a post on the top 10 items to buy at IKEA, and the RÅSKOG cart topped the list. Since then I've continued to see it everywhere, which to my mind means it's on its way to achieving the ubiquitous cult status of the BEKVÄM kitchen cart, or the EXPEDIT bookcase. 

Although I'm not a newlywed, I'm always interested in cookbooks geared to people starting out on a culinary journey together. When done well, these kinds of cookbooks usually include a helpful overview of the basics, including cooking techniques and pictures that make you actually want to eat the food — great for people just learning to cook on their own or together. So how did Betty Crocker's version play out?

I'm a serious person. I was forty years old in my own mind by the time I was in first grade. But having children has made me a little more fun. We spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and they've found some silly kitchen tools that make me smile and are just as functional as their more mature counterparts.

Elizabeth Apron from Marcy Butler Designs

• $88

My husband calls me the "full contact chef." In other words, I don't just need an apron, but a full-body drape. So I'm drawn to aprons that are more full-coverage, like a smock. Marcy Butler sent me one of her new aprons to check out and I really fell in love with it. This apron is heavy and substantial, made of real linen. It has buttons in the back that let you adjust the size and make it stay put. It's a beautiful apron, but also practical for real work in the kitchen. I also love how they have a matching kids' apron, called The Lulu.

A beautiful wooden tray or platter is an entertaining staple. You can use one to serve appetizers, display glasses alongside a pitcher of cool iced tea, or serve breakfast in bed! I love the look of walnut, too — even more so when it's rimmed in a bright, neon color, like these WUD trays and platters by David Rasmussen. 

Who: Jana Kinsman
What: Bike a Bee
Where: Chicago, Illinois

Whenever I'm lucky enough to see beekeeper Jana Kinsman, she’s always sharing something with me: half her cookie, knowledge about bikes, butter and bees or an adorable, hand-drawn doodle. Jana is an illustrator, beekeeper and graphic designer in Chicago. Her latest project, Bike a Bee, is a reflection of her generosity and aims to contribute local honey to the city’s farmers markets, while also creating community collaboration.

Monterey Pitcher from Bauer Pottery

• $65
• Bauer Pottery

For sheer classic American style, you can't do much better than this Monterey Pitcher from Bauer, the venerable pottery company from Los Angeles. I especially like their brighter colors, which feel both modern and classic at the same time. The perfect pitcher for homemade ginger ale or lemonade.

Q: I just bought a large container of sumac because I wanted to make fattoush salad and it was the only size I could get my hands on at the time. It was delicious, but now I have a lot of leftover sumac. Any suggestions on what to use some of it for?

Sent by Kasey

So.... Kohlrabi. Yeah. It's a little out there as far as the pantheon of commonly known vegetables goes. It's somewhat reminiscent of broccoli stems. It looks a bit like a space alien. And I can count on one hand the number of times I've cooked with it. Do you find kohlrabi a little weird, too? Let's discuss.

Fresh goat cheese, fresh ricotta, and cream cheese. They all serve a purpose, and each has its place. There's one cheese that I believe combines the best elements of each of these three fresh cheeses. It can sometimes be a bit elusive, but it's so worth the hunt. It's my go-to cheese this time of year: all at once light, tangy, and creamy, like no other cheese around. 

Q: My boyfriend is in love with quinoa and I am too. I'd like to expand our horizons and get him a quinoa cookbook for his birthday; does anyone have recommendations? If it includes desserts or baked goods, all the better.

Sent by Marla

TW Salt Mill by William Bounds

• $24
• Amazon.com

I ate last night at The Jugged Hare, a lively and tasty gastropub in London. The salt mills on the tables caught my eye; I turned mine upside down and discovered it was a William Bounds mill -- made in the USA, actually. The top handle is smartly designed and easy to turn. A great little mill.

Not every meal is a fresh new recipe or an exciting twist on an old classic. Many, many meals are grab-what-you-can endeavors or thrown together affairs using up leftovers from the refrigerator. In these instances, it's nice to have a well-rounded pantry to supplement and build a meal from not a whole lot. Here are 10 of our own low-budget pantry staples. More