| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
rgbdigital.co.uk - Fotolia.com Copper |
Ivonne Wierink - Fotolia.com Aluminium |
|
![]() David Smith - Fotolia.com Cast Iron |
Large Stockpot
A 2 gallon (8 quart) stockpot is very useful when cooking
for guests or making large batches of soup or chilli to
freeze and reheat later. You can also use it as the bottom
part of a double boiler, for melting chocolate or mixing up
a rich Hollandaise sauce. A large stockpot is also a great
addition in a large family for cooking up stews and
casseroles.
Mid-Sized Saucepans
Saucepans come in every size from tiny to enormous, but
since you already have a large stockpot, it’s a good idea to
pick a smaller saucepan. A 1 quart saucepan is ideal for
cooking small portions of vegetables or using with your
large stockpot as the top part of a double boiler. If that
seems a little small for you or you have a large family,
then select a 2 quart saucepan instead.
Large Sauté Pan
Whether it’s cooking chicken breasts for a dinner party or
preparing a one-pan breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes
all in one pan, a large sauté pan will come in handy. A
fourteen-inch pan that is also safe for use in the oven is a
good, flexible addition to your cookware.
Small Frying Pan
If you want to whip up something small and simple, such as a
grilled cheese sandwich or a single serving of seared
salmon, a small frying pan is an essential item to have in
your kitchen. Eight inches is a good size for this purpose.
Flame Proof Casserole Dish
Whilst not strictly a saucepan, to round out your cooking ensemble,
select a medium-sized flame proof casserole dish for those favourite tuna
casseroles or chicken dishes. For maximum flexibility, select one that can be
used on the stove top (flame proof not just heat proof), in the microwave as
well as in the oven.
With these five items, you’ll be well on your way to a well-stocked kitchen with all of the cookware that you need to cook your favourite meals.
Now that you have a list of items to buy your next step is
to decide on the type of cookware material that will best
suit your needs. Here are some advantages and disadvantages
of each type to help with your decision making:
Stainless Steel Cookware
Advantages
• Durable
• Scratch resistant
• Reasonably priced
• Easy to maintain
Disadvantages
• Not a good heat conductor
Cast Iron Cookware
Advantages
• Durable
• Reasonably priced
• Good heat retention
Disadvantages
• Requires regular seasoning
• Reacts with some foods
• Can rust if not properly seasoned
• Can be heavyAluminium Cookware
Advantages
• Reasonably priced
• Good heat conductivity
Disadvantages
• Reacts with some foods• Scratches and dents easily (buy anodized
aluminium to overcome this problem)
Copper Cookware
Advantages
• Excellent heat conduction
• Beautiful appearance
Disadvantages
• Reacts with some foods• Requires a bit of maintenance to keep its
shiny appearance
This is a question that is often asked but the answer is
simple – spend as much as you can afford. It doesn’t matter
whether you decide on stainless steel, copper, aluminium
or cast iron cookware, there is no point purchasing it
simply because it is cheap. Poor quality cookware will
deteriorate quickly and in many cases your cooking results
will not be spectacular since the metal may be thin and heat
quickly causing your meals to burn and the metal to warp.
Take your time searching for the right cookware for you and
you will be rewarded with not only outstanding cooking
results but with cookware that will last a lifetime.
Article provided courtesy of Only Cookware - a resource for
pots and pans, stainless cookware and enamel cast iron cookware.
|
|
|
|
Search | Sitemap | Abbreviations used on this site | Printing Recipes | About Recipes4us | Disclaimer/Private Privacy
For ease of reference, below are direct links to main sections on this site
Search About Recipes4us Links Contact Us Advertise/Sponsor Disclaimer/Private Privacy Media Resources Home
All recipes are published for your convenience and are both suitable and tasty enough to be eaten by anyone without food allergies, as part of a normal diet. We advise you to consult a qualified doctor before starting any special diet. If you suffer from and food allergies, always check the ingredients on the label of pre-prepared products. No correspondence can be entered into regarding medical matters.
This Web Site was designed and created by Recipes4us.co.uk. Copyright © 2000-2009 [Recipes4us] All rights reserved. Some Photos © www.fotolia.co.uk | |||||||||