The recovery function is handled on your mac
1) shutting down the computer
2) hold down the option key
3) turn on the computer
4) select "recovery HD" and then follow instructions for disk utility, or re-installation. If you have no "recovery HD" option can also restore through the network by choosing "Choose Network".
So, the recovery disks aren't necessary- although they are more convenient if you have to restore through the network and only have slow access.
Since you are new to Mac, get an external USB hard drive and set up Time Machine. That way, when you need to restore, you can restore all of your programs and files from there without having to re-install.