Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Cooking - Selecting the Right Pots and Pans

One of the first steps in getting your kitchen ready to cook is choosing and purchasing the right cookware. One of the most important things you will need to buy are pots and pans. Having the right cookware makes cooking and clean-up a breeze and a lot more fun.

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Before you buy

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Before you buy, you need to determine what level of cooking you will be doing and most importantly how much you want to spend. Although you do not have to purchase the most expensive brands you can find, however, you do want to make sure you are investing in good quality pots and pans that will last. If not, you will find yourself purchasing them year after year. Plan on buying the best cookware you can afford. If needed, do a little research before buying. Read consumer review and reports.

What to buy

Here is a list of what most cooks consider to be essential pots and pans:

Sauce Pans are one of the most versatile pots. They are used for making sauces, cooking smaller portions of food, steaming, reheating or just about anything that needs to be heated. Because they are so versatile, you may want to consider purchasing a few different sizes. Some common sizes are 2 are 3 quarts with lids.
Saute Pans are wide and flat with straight sides to help when sauteing, searing or preparing recipes that have pan sauces and for recipes that require extended cooking times. Good saute pans are made of metals that quickly and efficiently conduct heat. Saute pans should also come with a long handle and a lid. Common sizes are 3 to 5 quarts.
Skillet or frying pans have moderately high, slightly flared sides. It is considered your all purpose pan for frying. Ideally they should be made out of metals that help conduct heat. Non-stick surfaces are helpful when cooking omelets. Common sizes are 8, 10 and 12-inch sizes.
Large Soup or Stock Pots are tall and narrow. They are excellent for cooking or boiling things like soups, stews, stocks, pasta or large quantities of food. Good stockpots should be made out of stainless steel with an aluminum core or anodized aluminum. Depending on how much you will be cooking, you should have a capacity of at least 8 quarts; soup pots may be 4 to 6 quarts.
What to look for

If you are buying a set, make sure it is made of sturdy materials that would not dent and warp. Handles should be comfortable and securely attached.

Pots and pans can be part of a set or bought individually. Buying sets can save a lot of money. If you do buy a set, make sure it fits your individual needs; otherwise it does not make sense to purchase pots and pans you will not use. The idea is to purchase ones that can be multifunctional.

Stainless steel is the most common and versatile material for cookware. Although stainless steel by its self is a poor conductor of heat. Stainless steel works best if it has an aluminum or copper core. It could also have a thick aluminum or copper disk bonded to the bottom of the pan. Adding a core will increase to the price, but will perform better. Anodized aluminum and no stick also make excellent choices.

Look for cookware that offers different shapes and sizes. Be picky about the pots and pans you need. If you want uniformity, buy in a set or collect individual pieces from a specific line. Hope you have found these tips useful to help you choose the right pots and pans.

Cooking - Selecting the Right Pots and Pans

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Woll Pans Provide High Quality Low Fat Cooking

If you have ever cooked with any Woll non stick pans or pots you will already know the superior quality of these pans compared to others available. Woll have been manufacturing outstanding quality cookware for over twenty five years. Every single Woll pan is hand cast with the company placing a large amount of emphasis on the precision and quality that traditional craftsmanship can provide compared to most modern cookware that is mass produced today.

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Combining the craftsmanship of Woll pans with the companies innovative non-stick technology results in a range of cookware that stands out from the rest and has become the industry standard for professional cooks and chefs worldwide. The product is endorsed by a number of high profile celebrity chefs with the likes of Gordon Ramsey giving his backing to the quality of the cookware, as he claims to use it throughout his kitchens and chain of restaurants.

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The non stick cooking surface is created from a specialist highly technical process that involves using hot plasma jets to create a hard surface that will stand the test of time, being exceedingly durable and unique, as the processes is patented you will only find this quality of cookware available with Woll. The quality of the pans means you can prepare and cook meals with the minimum of oil needed reduced fat and encasing vitamins within the food, making it ideal for anyone health conscious or who has low saturated fat dietary needs.

There are a large number of different pans that you can choose from including the highly regarded titanium and Nowo product ranges. The Woll Nowo pans in particular have an eight millimetre thick pan that is created using a specialist stress-relieved chill cast aluminium, ensuring that the optimal heat can be absorbed without any distortion to the cooking surface and guaranteeing your food is evenly cooked in a timely manner.

If you choose to buy a Woll pan you can be certain of a continued high level of aftercare and manufacturers guarantees, the majority of its pans come with twenty five years guarantees and if you have any problems you can usually have you pan replaced or repaired in your country of residence.

If you are looking for a healthier way to cook high quality food then it is well worth considering the Woll cookware range. You can find the majority of their pans from online retailers, and if you are unsure of making the purchase some retailers will be willing to offer a thirty-day trial, and if your not happy with the quality of the product you can return it and receive your money back.

Woll Pans Provide High Quality Low Fat Cooking

Scott King is a consumer specialist who reviews the latest range of Woll cookware and other interesting home consumer products available on the market.

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Sunday, August 21, 2011

Best Rachael Ray Cookware - Cooking Pans

Over several years, Rachael Ray has made a perennial star out of herself, specifically on the field of Food Network using her temperate personality and her practical cooking techniques, which definitely has been helping home cooks and mothers to create delectable 30-minute meals and other mouthwatering recipes. At this time, the Food Network icon is placing that same warmth and affection into an array of custom-designed Rachael Ray pots and pans. Peruse more reviews telling about Rachael Ray Cookware in order for you to positively decide which cookware piece is exactly right for your kitchen.

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Less known to the general public is the fact that Rachael Ray is not the type of personality who places herself on a high pedestal. If truth be told, she would prefer to call herself a mere cook and not a chef seeing that she never went to cooking school and did formally study culinary arts at all. She always believes that if she can cook, then anybody can.

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Ray's specialty of cookware mirrors her way of thinking with a fusion of excitement, flamboyant colors and a lovely look with elegant design. A stress on easy use to create a line of pots and pans deserves a prime place in any kitchen.

Rachael Ray is a great choice if you truly like to have vibrant, cheerful colors in your kitchen. Ray's signature line of her cookware comes in three bright colors, as well as stainless steel and hard-anodized black. These hues are a fiery orange, rich blue, and a light, spring-like green.

Moreover, the Rachael Ray pans are entirely designed to be both practical and beautiful. Too, the pots are embellished with a charming tulip shaped which demarcates these pots apart from the standard assortment of pans and pots.

What is also important of this brand is its commitment to quality. Furthermore, Rachael Ray cookware set is in fact restaurant tested by professional chefs in order to ensure quality and practicality. The utmost care is taken into consideration in the workmanship of the products. Amazingly remarkable, this popular brand also guarantees a full money-back and limited lifetime warranties on some products subject to specific terms and conditions. Also, Rachael Ray cookware offers a wide variety of features making it easier to use by home cooks. Such features include tight-fitting glass covers that let you see at a glance how your food is doing; shapes that are elegantly designed to make multiple large pans suit better on your stovetop; and the handles which are made from special non-slip silicone coatings that remains cool at temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you feel having this cookware in your kitchen, the company offers you four different consumer product lines, as well as their commercial lines. Make your choice of cast iron with stainless steel, hard anodized aluminum, an enamel finish, and porcelain enamel cookware.

But if you are searching for supreme quality, practical cookware adorned with an exciting and cheery appearance, then this set is a probably the best choice you will ever make. The prices are really affordable for good-quality cookware. The cookware pieces are absolutely easy and fun to use. On top of it is its elegant appearance which is highly distinctive and very attractive.

Best Rachael Ray Cookware - Cooking Pans

Visit our Rachael Ray cookware site, and see our best Rachael Ray pans.

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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Season Your Pans for Non Stick Cooking

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious meal and having it stick to the bottom of the pan. A well season or cured pan will make cooking more fun, easier to clean and create better tasting food. There is a saying in the restaurant business; Hot pan - Cold oil. Meaning never put the oil in a cold pan and then heat it up. By heating the pan first and then adding the oil, then immediately the food, you'll have much less sticking. Furthermore if you season the pan when you first purchase it, you will have even better results.

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Curing by metal types

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Stainless Steel - Unfortunately stainless steel cannot be seasoned because of the hardness of the metal. A matter of fact I don't know of a single restaurant which uses stainless steel pan. They are great for storing food because the food won't react with the metal, but horrible for cooking. My advice is just stay away from them altogether.

Aluminum - First wash the pan with soup and water using a sponge or cloth (no steel sponge). Rinse and dry thoroughly. Heat the pan until hot then add two ounces of oil to the pan. Carefully swirl the pan so the oil coats every part of the pan. Let the pan cool. Remove the oil and repeat the process one more time. From this point on, never use soap again. Wash with warm water and dry with a paper towel. If some food does stick us a little salt with oil and a paper towel to remove it.

Teflon and other non stick surfaces - Non stick technology has come a long way over the years and there are dozens of infomercials to prove it. But the truth is even non stick pans will eventually stick. Follow the steps for seasoning aluminum pans and your non stick pans will last longer and perform better. Remember after the first time, never wash with soup again.

Cast iron and wok's - For cast iron and wok's the process is similar, but because of the nature of the metal you'll heat the pans to a much higher temperature. Fist wash the pan with soup and water then dry thoroughly. Heat the pan up until it is very hot. Add two ounces of oil and swirl to coat all sides. Let cool and remove excess oil. Heat the pan up again until it begins to smoke. Add more oil and repeat the process until you've done this three times. Never wash again and always store you pans at any angle or by hanging so they won't rust.

By taking the time to properly season you pans, you will enjoy cooking much more and increase the life of your investment. I recommend spending a little extra money and buying good quality pans and take care of them, in the long run you'll be much happier. Another tip is to never buy pans with plastic or wooden handles because you can't place them in the oven. As you increase you cooking skills you'll find many recipes start on the burner then move to the oven. By having an all metal pan this transition is flawless.

Season Your Pans for Non Stick Cooking

About The Author

Chef Richard has worked for some of the top fine dining restaurants in Washington State and is the author of the ebook “Chef’s Special”. You can find free recipes, informative articles and order the ebook at [http://www.csrecipes.com]

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Waterless Pans - The Cooking of the Future

Give yourself more time and better health by cooking with waterless pans.

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Waterless pans and cookware in general do not get much press, but their benefits warrant it. We all talk of how families these days are constantly busy and mealtimes have suffered because of it. Statistics also show that obesity is at its highest rate. With these facts in mind, any product that uses less time to cook a meal and also makes it healthier should be a priority.

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The way the cookware is made is the key to how it works so well. All waterless pots and pans are made of stainless steel, both inside and out, with surgical stainless steel being the highest grade available. The following are the advantages of using stainless steel with cookware:

resists corroding maintains temperature protects flavor (will not flake into the food) is easy to clean

Another key component to the cookware construction is the iron core plate. This piece keeps the temperature steady and evenly distributed when the heat of the burner is turned off. This saves energy because once the food is at the correct temperature, the stove can be turned off, but the food will continue to cook. The special pan lids also aid in this process by forming a water seal that prevents steam and juices from escaping. With most foods, especially vegetables, their own juices are the most nutritious part and usually are lost when cooked. These lids prevent that from happening, making the food moister and considerably healthier by cooking it in natural juices. Adding water or oil to the pan is not necessary.

With the different products now available in the waterless cookware line, you can not only cook as you normally would on top of your stove, but you can also bake, steam, broil, roast, or baste on the stove as well. Although the pots and pans can be used in the oven, it is not necessary. That is correct - you can bake a turkey or chicken or even chocolate chip cookies, on your stove top with waterless cooking products. In addition, it is possible to put a meat and two vegetables into a pan and have them all cook together, and quickly. Some pots even stack so that you can cook an entire meal on one burner. Because of the technology, the heat from the burner carries through all the way to the highest sitting pot.

Once you realize that waterless pans are kitchen pieces you must have, you'll want to know how you can purchase them. There are private home showings you can book, and these will show you firsthand how well the cookware works. Typically, though, the pricing at these shows is flat out expensive. If you are comfortable shopping online, it really is the best way to find variety at an excellent price. Before you get too excited about a particular buy, do your homework. Things you should research about a company before you purchase from them are as follows:

Is there a warranty? Can I call the company and talk to a person about questions and/or concerns? Are there videos online showing cooking and cleaning tips? Does the cookware come with a recipe or cookbook?

Since these products are different from what we are all used to using to cook, you need to know the tricks of the trade, so to speak. For example, in order to avoid burning cabbage, you need to places a few large leaves across the bottom of the pan and then place the rest on top for even cooking. Make sure the company will provide you with these and similar instructions so you get the most out of your new purchase.

The benefits of these products along with the availability and reasonable pricing online should put them on everybody's shopping list. We all could use more time and healthier meals, and waterless pans are one way to give ourselves both.

Waterless Pans - The Cooking of the Future

To learn more about the benefits of waterless cookware go to Waterless Pans. Peter Cerrato is the owner of www.WaterlessCookwareSystem.com where he provides surgical stainless steel cookware products and tips.

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Monday, August 15, 2011

Ten Cooking Tips For Beginners

Whether you're a novice in the kitchen or just trying to better your existing skills, these 10 top tips may help. Cooking is meant to be fun - and here's how...

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1. Give yourself plenty of time - the only thing worse than rushing your food when you eat, is rushing it when you cook. Give yourself a deadline and you'll no doubt be stressed and covered in flour by the time your ETA comes alone. Until you're comfortable and confident in the kitchen, don't set yourself unrealistic expectations.

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2. Do a checklist of ingredients - having half your food cooking when you realise you've forgotten an essential ingredient will have you in a panic, so check the list before you go shopping and then again before you start cooking.

3. Try meals out for yourself first - if you try new dishes out on a dinner party, you're asking for trouble. By trying new dishes for yourself and maybe your other half, you can perfect them for when the next dinner party comes along. Alternatively, share the knowledge that your trying something new with your dinner guests. It'll take the pressure off and you'll enjoy the cooking experience much more.

4. Use top quality cookware - if your pots and pans have seen better days, then it might be time to upgrade your kitchen equipment. Ranges like Anolon, Circulon and Meyer are all excellent choices and, most important of all, you can rely on them to last you through many happy years of cooking.

5. Find popular recipes - when starting off, even the simplest of dishes can seem frightening. However, there are many excellent 'cooking for beginners'-type books on the market that will help you with the basics, while some of the bigger ones will even be useful as you develop your cooking skills.

6. Stick to things you like - it can be tricky determining the success of your culinary adventures if you're not sure what you're cooking is supposed to taste like when done well, so stay with what you know. Then, when you're feeling more daring, use your well-honed cooking skills to help you expand your palate.

7. Get tips from friends and family - struggling to get your gravy just right? Is your meat too dry? Whatever niggling problems you have in the kitchen, it's a safe bet that someone you know will have the answer. Tap into that resource whenever you can and you'll be well on your way to success. And if they can't help, then why not try the internet?

8. Get your kitchen how you want it - if you're using your own kitchen, make sure everything is where you want it. You don't want to rummaging through cupboards half-way through cooking. If you let anyone else in your kitchen, make sure they leave things where they found them.

9. Watch cookery shows - find the chefs you like and watch their TV shows. They're a great source of inspiration and some even help you to cook while you watch.

10. Have fun with it - in other words, don't put pressure on yourself and, if you're not enjoying it, take a break and wait for your enthusiasm to return. There's nothing worse than cooking if you're not in the mood.

So, if you have the right food, the right cookware set and plenty of ideas, why not start cooking tonight?

Ten Cooking Tips For Beginners

Kitchenwarexpress.co.uk has a wide range of products to help your cooking experience an enjoyable one. From stainless steel cookware and kitchen pans you'll find all the best cookware brands, including Anolon, Circulon, Meyer and Presitge.

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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Quality Non Stick Cookware For All Your Cooking Needs

When choosing quality non stick cooking products out there, nothing beats actually trying cookware for yourself in your own kitchens or trusting the cookware reviews in lifestyle and cooking magazines as well as websites. Some sets of non stick cookware are more expensive than others. Cookware sets is very useful in the kitchen, and they are durable. You only have to hand-wash non stick cookware in order to clean them after cooking. When you cook with cast iron cookware, be sure not to use too high a cooking temperature.

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Non stick cookware is very easy to wash and clean. Also, non stick cookware does not require so much oil or butter in order to coat the bottom when cooking your favorite dishes. This makes cooking for your family and friends a lot healthier and safer, another plus when using cooking pots and pans cookware. One good brand cookware is All-Clad. However, it is quite pricey. According to Good Housekeeping, some of the top brands for kitchen pan cookware are Circulon, Farberware, as well as the previously mentioned All-Clad. Another good brand when choosing your set of cookware is Calphalon, however, it comes with a hefty price tag as well. Amazon.com offer sets of non stick cookware from T-Fal for as low as , however, prices for other brands of teflon cookware go for around 0 to 0.

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Famous celebrity chefs have also come up with their own line of cast iron cookware. An example is TV celebrity and Chef Rachel Ray. She sells a 10-piece non stick cookware set that is a bestseller on Amazon.com.

In terms of popularity, All-Clad has the most popular cast iron and stainless steel cooking products. A 15-piece revere cookware set, however, sells for 00. If this is too expensive, buy individual pieces. There are other options out there and more affordable cooking pots and pans available online such as on Amazon.com.

Quality Non Stick Cookware For All Your Cooking Needs

Select the Right cooking pots and pans cookingpots, has a wide selection of great brands, pots and pans

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Friday, August 12, 2011

Cooking Herbs List: The Top 6

If you were asked to make up your own cooking herbs list, which herbs would you include? This article suggests six that are probably the most common and versatile for adding that extra something to your food.

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Remember of course that herbs are intended to complement, not overpower the taste of the food. Used judiciously however, any of these six herbs can greatly enhance your cooking.

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We start off with four that just roll off the tongue: Rosemary, Sage, Parsley, and Thyme. Perhaps they are easy to remember also because of the 1966 music album by Simon and Garfunkel of the same name.

After that we will take a look at Bay and Mint.

Parsley

Parsley can be used to decorate and add color to meat, vegetable, fish, and white meat dishes. It can also be chopped and included in a white sauce served with chicken, fish or veal. Parsley stalks on the other hand can be added to soups and stock to add flavor.

Sage

Sage aids with digestion and is therefore a good addition when cooking meats such as pork, duck or goose which tend to be rich. It is a strongly scented herb and therefore needs to be used with caution. Sausages and stuffing often benefit from the addition of a little sage.

Rosemary

This herb is highly aromatic and has a full flavor. It is also very versatile. You can sprinkle ground leaves over chops and steaks before you grill them, or include a little sprig of Rosemary inside a chicken, or near the bone on a joint of lamb.

Thyme

Chopped Thyme can be used as a garnish when serving cooked vegetables. It can be used in a bouquet garni for inclusion in soups or stock. There is a lemon scented variety which is especially good for fish and chicken dishes.

Bay

Bay leaves are used in both sweet and savoury dishes. They are used to flavor stock, or soups, or casseroles. They can also be infused in milk or cream when making a custard for example.

Mint

It is of course the essential ingredient in mint sauce, often served with lamb dishes, but this herb has a large versatility. Mint leaves can be included in green salads, or put into chilled yoghurt which is served with hot dishes such as curries or kebabs.
Dried mint can be added to stuffing, or casseroles.

If fresh herbs are available, use them. If not, dried herbs are fine although you have to half the quantity. The top 6 cooking herbs list presented here is a good starting point for building up your selection of aromatic herbs in your kitchen.

Cooking Herbs List: The Top 6

If you would like restaurant quality cookware in your kitchen, consider the Circulon range. Full details are given here: http://www.circuloncookwareset.panopticnet.com/circulon-8-piece-cookware/index.html

Get a food dehydrator and dry your own herbs! Click here for more information: http://www.stainlesssteelfooddehydratorguide.com/stainlesssteelfooddehydrator.html

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Monday, August 8, 2011

10 Ways to Make Cooking More Enjoyable

If you only cook because you have to rather than for the fun of it, or if you're new to cooking, here are some ways to make cooking more fun.

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1. Having the right pans will make a difference.  If you're currently using old pans that have seen better days, or are using a collection of pans you've inherited over the years, you'll probably find that your cooking and so your enjoyment of cooking will improve with better pans.

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2. The right utensils are important.  You might be trying to use spoons, knives or spatulas for things they were never intended for.

3. By cooking more often, and making it more enjoyable, you can ensure that you're cooking healthy food for you and your family.  Whilst there's nothing wrong with having a treat once in a while, natural healthy food is much better for you.

4. By cooking from scratch, you know exactly what you're eating, and how much sugar, salt and fat are in your meals.  You'll know that there' are no additives or preservatives or anything else that shouldn't be in there.

5. Cooking is a great way to spend time with your family, and make a special effort.  Why not take the time to enjoy a meal with your family?

6. In order to keep your children passionate about food, and aware of what they are eating, why not get them involved when you cook? With a bit of tutoring, they'll soon be able to rustle up some dishes and give you the night off!

7. Why not challenge yourself, and either cook something new, or use new ingredients that you've never used before in order to keep your cooking fun?

8. If you want to become a better cook, why not cook more, or take evening classes?  Why not actually use those cookery books that are gathering dust in your kitchen, and see what you can make.

9. Perhaps you've already got a signature dish.  Why not see if you can be more creative or inventive than spag bol or curry?  If you haven't got a signature dish, why not see if you can come up with one, or make a classic dish with a modern twist?

10. Perhaps as you increase in confidence and your cooking improves you'll want to show off to your friends and family.  Why not invite your friends round for an evening of nice food, and great company?  You'll save a fortune compared to going out, and you know the good will be good!

Whatever reasons you have for wanting to make cooking more fun, you'll need good quality cookware and good quality ingredients.  If you're serious about the food you and your family eat, don't you owe it to them to buy good pans?

10 Ways to Make Cooking More Enjoyable

Discover a great range of Circulon Pans, Circulon Cookware and everything else you'll need to equip your kitchen from all the leading kitchenware brands. Why not make your cooking more enjoyable, by visiting KitchenwareXpress.co.uk today?

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Friday, August 5, 2011

Cooking Pans - Which Type to Use?

Many people do not realize that they are using the wrong type of cooking pans when they are creating meals for themselves and their families. By understanding the role of the main types of cooking pan you will be able to achieve your culinary goals much more easily.

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A Saucepan is the most common form of cooking pan, and comes in a variety of sizes and designs. These should be used primarily for boiling, making soups and sauces (though large quantities are better made in a stockpot) and braising. It is best to choose a saucepan that is well balanced and has a good handle.

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A Frying Pan is also known as a skillet, and should be used for any kind of frying, searing or browning tasks. Make sure that there is a suitable amount of oil heated in the pan before adding ingredients, and remember that bigger items should be fried on lower heats, otherwise they will burn on the outside and remain largely uncooked in the middle.

Sauté Pans have a wide, flat base and low sides, making them ideal for cooking for at a high heat for a short period of time. Chicken, fish, vegetables and meat are just some of the ingredients that can be sautéed, and this method using less oil than pan frying.

A Wok is an Asian cooking vessel that has deep, curved sides and a flat or rounded base. Stir-frying is the most common use, and much easier in a wok than a frying pan as the heat is distributed more evenly and there is no 'hot spot'. The deep sides also mean the food does not easily fall out when turned over. Over uses of a wok include deep frying, stewing, steaming and boiling.

What is The Best Material for Pans?

There are many different opinions as to what material is best for cooking pans, but stainless steel always comes highly recommended.  As well as providing a professional look, stainless steel pans are easy to clean and maintain, offer excellent levels of durability and provide full-pan heat distribution rather than 'hot spots'.

Cooking Pans - Which Type to Use?

Best UK kitchen and cooking equipment at various sites including Bread Machine and Cooking Pans.

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