You can all relax now: I think I’ve more or less completed my cookware replacement plan. Having just received my new 10″ Calphalon nonstick griddle/crepe pan ($25!), I think it’s all over but the shouting.

Overcrowded kitchen cabinets are one of my biggest pet peeves, which is why I’m especially pleased at having narrowed everything down to just eight items: Four stainless steel, two cast iron and two nonstick. I also made sure to find the sweetest spot on the bang/buck curve for each choice.

I did get some other new kitchen items, too. Those Mario Batali prep bowls, for example. Love ‘em. The Hamilton Beach immersion blender is working out good. Likewise with those amazingly cheap and startlingly sharp Thai knives I mentioned before.

So now what? As I’ve mentioned previously, I think I’ll pony up for a small set of Pyrex bakeware. Then I’ll take stock of my small hodgepodge of utensils. My inclination will be to just get a few cheap and sensible items to fill any gaps.

Hey, one neat thing I have coming via UPS: A very Alton Brown-esque salt server.

The downer about all this? I have to go home and do dishes. I was too lazy to do them last night after making homemade lentil soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for me and my son.