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I don't know about you but I am tired of spending loads of money on useless cookware that create an avalanche every time I open my cabinet doors. With all there is to choose from (sautrs, frying pans, specialty pans, etc.) and all the new technology (waterless, stainless steel, non-stick, etc.), it is hard to discern what is the best fit for my kitchen. So, I am writing this article for my fellow Home Chef who are of average strength, budget, and who have an interest in improving their cooking skills with better Kitchen Tools.
The materials that you pick for your cookware are critical. I like anodized aluminum because it is the most durable I have found on the market today. I am super tough on my tools so, the strength of the pans is really important to me. Also, I need a non-stick surface. As a stay-at-home mom, I don't have time to scrub pans all day so for me, non-stick is nonnegotiable. So, all of the pieces that I touch on here are aluminum and non-stick.
Essential Tools
The first piece of cookware I recommend is a skillet in about a 10-inch size. I suggest this because this pan offers unbelievable versatility for the well-versed cook and a good learning curve for those who are not. Browning meat, frying eggs, toasting sandwiches and even baking cakes is what you can accomplish with this type of pan. To do all this, make sure yours is oven safe.
The second essential piece of cookware I suggest is a good heavy saucepan in about a 2-quart capacity. The reason for suggesting this one is versatility again. This pan can be used for boiling/steaming vegetables, preparing rice dishes, all sauces and making all manner of " in the box wonders " found at your local supermarket.
Third, and last of the basics is a good quality stockpot in about an eight to twelve quart size. Flexibility is the call here. For all your boiling work your saucepan cannot handle, switch to your stockpot. But be an informed shopper when you buy your pot. Look for quality. You need a good heavy flat bottom to distribute heat evenly and nice strong riveted handles to carry it (when full of liquid a quality 8 quart stockpot will weigh nearly twenty pounds.) One other thing, the stockpot can be used for is deep-frying -- however, do not do this unless you know what you are doing. You can hurt yourself severely; even start a fire by frying carelessly.
So that is the basics. If you live in a small apartment or do not cook very much, that may be all you need. Ah but you, my fine chef, want to start cooking more ambitiously or find that these three just don't do the job for you.
Well my friend, get ready for wave number two and size matters!!
To start, you may want to add two more saucepans to your repertoire: one in about a one-quart size and one in about a three-four quart size. The varying sizes will aid you as you venture deeper into the culinary world.
As you branch out into bigger dishes, a 12-inch skillet to compliment your original is essential. This pan will help you make those wonderful "one-pot" meals to feed your whole family.
Next, you will want to start "moving" or saut. In French, it means, "to jump" but in English, it is a fast cooking technique that requires a small amount of oil or butter in a shallow pan over high heat. Saut pans have wide flat bottoms and straight shallow sides, which accommodate this process; hence the name saut pan. This design helps to move foods back and forth over the burner during the cooking process. The flat bottom adds stability to the pan during the movement and allows enough room to maintain even browning over every piece of food. A nonstick surface cuts down the amount of fat needed to coat your saut pan to prevent sticking.
And there you have it; with just this cookware and respective lids you can conquer most culinary tasks and if you buy wisely it should all last forever.
If you are the cook who truly must have it all...
...the list is almost endless. Here is my take on some of this:
Wok-- A nice thing to have and if you must have only one pan this is what I suggest. Get a 12-inch size. Like any jack-of-all-trades this pan will do everything, but nothing perfectly.
Roasting pan-- A necessity for the well-appointed kitchen. Get one large enough to hold a small turkey and heavy duty enough to be used for stovetop cooking. It will also double as a lasagna pan.
Fish poacher-- Not really useful enough to have around, besides you can poach fish in a roasting pan.
Griddle-- Handy if you really are into breakfast.
Crepe pan-- I own one, I'm not sure why though. It truly is a specialty item.
Really big stockpots-- You know, the twenty quart and up models. Handy if you brew beer or if you make three or four gallons of chili at once, or maybe for boiling rib racks.
Risotto pan-- No way, this is just too specific. Little effort is required to make great risotto in a saucepot or a saut pan.
Buying Cookware
For those of you who have been pricing high quality cookware, well you have probably been sticker shocked to death thinking about the cost of all this. Here are some things that you will want to consider when making this investment in your kitchen:
1. Sit down and see how often you really do cook in your home. I know some families eat out a lot and don't bother cooking cause they are too busy with work and other things. Then we have those who make sure a home cooked meal is prepared and ready for dinner each night. No matter what "type" of family you are we always need some sort of cookware in our home.
2. First thing to look for is Quality and Warrantee. Those are the two most important things you should look for in your next purchase of a cookware set. Reason being you don't want to keep wasting your money on those cheap imitation pots and pans and those that claim they are non-sticking, but really do stick after the first time you use them. You want a pair of cookware that has a lifetime guarantee, and stands up to High heat temperatures.
3. Non-Stick is the best because it's a breeze to clean up and nothing will stick after you cook it; just put your pot or pan in hot soapy water and clean up will be a breeze for you.
Price should be a factor in buying your cookware; the higher the price the better quality and warranty you shall receive. There are ways that I have found to get one of the best all time ever cookware sets for half price or even for free...
READ this:
The Pampered Chef offers a line of cookware that has all of the features listed in this article and more. But, why buy Pampered Chef cookware over the other brands? I am so glad that you asked because the other guys won't:
Show you how to use their products.
Provide you with on-going customer service long after your initial purchase.
Give it to you for free!!!
Give it to you for free and give you a paycheck.
When you book a Pampered Chef party, you can get all of this and more. When your sales reach $300.00 in merchandise, you can get the 5- and 7-piece Executive cookware sets (normally $570) for price! This is much cheaper then going to a store and buying the "best" that they have to offer. And, you don't even need to have people in your home if you don't want to. You can also qualify for this great deal with a Catalog Show.
Not only will you get the cookware for half price (or even free if your sales are high enough), you will also have a life - time warranty. That's right...lifetime! Anything goes wrong...1 year, 2 years, 5 years down the road...you get a new one for free. Most places won't touch that offer with a stick.
So, let me get this straight... ...you can get the 5- AND 7- piece Executive cookware set for price or even free AND you get a lifetime warranty? That is an incredible deal!!!
Here's how to take advantage of this no-risk offer:
1. Go to www.kitchentokitchennews.com/contact to set up your show today.
2. For immediate service, you can order the products at www.pamperedchef.biz/sewing. (Copy and paste this into your browser. Due to company policy, I can't link you directly to the site. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
It's that easy.
In order to make saying "yes" even easier here's one more advantage I think you will find irresistible:
For an entire year after your show is complete, you receive a 10% discount on anything else that you want to purchase. Department stores and specialty stores do not want your repeat business that badly!
Susan Ewing is the creator of www.kitchentokitchennews.com which provides Kitchen Tools and Tips for the Home Chef.
