SC - Looking for guidance

[Morses3 at aol.com]

Greetings,

After a lengthy time of lurking on this list (and learning a lot along the 
way), I think my personal life is going to settle down and let me actually 
start going to events instead of just reading about them. I can't live 
vicariously through all of you forever :-)

I have been trying to buy books related to medieval cooking, some of which 
I've gotten after reading recommendations on this list, but have no equipment 
yet, other than what my everyday kitchen holds.  Fortunately, my grandmother 
taught me to cook as a teenager, so I'm a competent "seat of the pants" cook, 
and can read a recipe to come up with an edible meal, but I'm hoping that the 
members of this list can give me some guidance.

Since I know for sure that I'm interested in pursuing this and can commit  
now to acquiring things I need, what books and equipment does everyone 
consider to be a "must have" item to use themselves. Conversely, what should 
I stay away from so I don't waste my time or money heading in the wrong 
direction(yes, I have a copy of "Fabulous Feasts" but it was a gift!).If I'm 
going to do this at all, I'd rather start out right and not do it over........

Also, what would everyone recommend as starting recipes to get my feet wet 
actually cooking this type of food to get a feel for how to combine things, 
etc.? I'm thinking that offering to be a kitchen helper to some of the head 
cooks already planning feasts might also be a good place to start. At the 
very least, I'm a good dishwasher.....

Perry

No name, no garb, no persona--yet!