General Accessory Info Posts

07Jan
0

Choosing the Cookware Line That’s Right for Your Kitchen

Imagine you’re shopping for a new set of cookware. You need everything, from basic stock pots to omelet pans. How do you know where to start looking?

To make the right decision about cookware, you have to consider your personal situation. How often do you cook? How much are you willing to spend? Is convenience more important than excellent results? Your answers to these questions will point you to your ideal style of cookware. Actually choosing the brand you like is another story.

Read over the descriptions of classic cookware materials below to find out what type most suits you.

Stainless Steel

Classic stainless steel cookware is a good choice for serious chefs who want versatile pots and pans. Stainless is beautiful and functional. It’s lightweight, so carrying your cookware around the kitchen won’t be a chore. Stainless conducts heat quickly and evenly. You can also put stainless steel cookware in the dishwasher, which makes it easy to clean.

Stainless steel is completely recyclable, and it has a life expectancy of more than 100 years. As far as price goes, stainless steel won’t be easy on your wallet. Expect to pay about $400 for a mid-grade, 10-piece set. You can find some brands for less money, but they might not be pure stainless steel.

Anodized Aluminum

Hard aluminum cookware is great for occasional chefs on a budget. The material is easy to use, lightweight, and dishwasher safe. Anodized aluminum is also the least expensive material you’ll find by far. A 10-piece set will cost about $150 on average.

Aluminum can cook food unevenly, and it tends to wear out quicker than other materials. These factors make is less than ideal for serious cooks. However, if you don’t cook regularly and just want basic pots and pans, anodized aluminum cookware could be perfect for you.

Cast Iron

Sturdy cast iron will last for generations if cared for properly. It can go from the stove top to the oven to the freezer without any problems. The thick pots are also excellent heat conductors, perfect for slow cooking.

Cast iron is not dishwasher safe and it is very heavy, which are two of its biggest drawbacks. Also, some brands of cast iron cookware are extremely expensive. An average set of six pots will cost about $500.

Nonstick

For cooks who are most concerned with convenience, nothing beats nonstick cookware. Pans of this variety are coated with a slick layer of nonstick substance. You’ll never have to worry about stubborn eggs stuck to your pans again. Most nonstick lines are lightweight and dishwasher safe. You might have to be careful in your cleaning methods, however, to avoid dislodging the nonstick material.

Nonstick cookware isn’t the best for even heat distribution, so it doesn’t make a good choice for serious chefs looking to create culinary masterpieces. However, it will do just fine for preparing everyday meals. Nonstick sets retail for about $250 for eight to 10 pieces.

Technorati Tags: cookware, kitchen, nonstick, steel

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07Jan
0

Gourmet Kitchen Tools You Can’t Live Without

It’s true that you don’t need much more than a pot, a fry pan, a spatula, and a knife to make almost any meal. However, if you want to avoid major frustration while cooking, a few more items are essential. Even the most inept home cooks keep some basic tools on hand—cutting boards, serving spoons, tongs, and the like—but serious chefs know that more is needed. The kitchen tools listed below are indispensable in any gourmet kitchen.

1.) Single-hand citrus squeezer

Forget about squeezing that lemon by hand. With a citrus squeezer, you’ll get all the juice from any lemon, lime, or orange in no time flat. The handheld squeezer allows you to maximize the juice extracted from each fruit in minimal time. You’ll find plenty of uses for this tool, from coating fish in lemon juice to squeezing the perfect amount of lime into your margarita.

2.) Digital meat thermometer

A digital thermometer will let you know if your meat is done within a few seconds. Most thermometers consist of a probe that is attached to a small unit that gives a temperature readout. Some thermometers are also available as forks; with those kinds, you put the fork into the meat and wait for a reading on the handle. Either way, a thermometer will ensure that your meat is perfectly cooked every time.

3.) Mandolin

Nothing makes chopping easier than a mandolin. This tool is similar to a cross between a grater and a knife. It produces large, even slices of vegetables and cheese. Mandolins make julienne and wavy cuts easy, and they’re essential for making your fool look as good as it tastes.

4.) Meat mallet

You might not think a meat mallet is necessary, but you’d be surprised at the difference it can make in your food. Pounding out chicken or beef makes the meat much tenderer. Pounded meat is actually called for in many recipes, and having a mallet on hand makes fulfilling that step so much easier.

5.) Immersion blender

You have a regular blender already. So why do you need another kind? The truth is you don’t really need another one. However, having an immersion blender on hand will make your life much easier. This stick blender can be placed in soups and sauces to make them smooth without transferring containers. Also, its compact design won’t make a mess like some hand mixers.

6.) Over-the-pot strainer

This nifty little tool lets you drain boiling ingredients without pouring them out of the pot. The strainer fits over one edge of the pot, so you just hold it in place and pour. It’s incredibly convenient for pastas and potatoes.

7.) Dutch oven

Every good cook should have at least one Dutch oven among his collection of pots. You don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars for the name-brand kind either. You can buy a simple, un-enameled cast iron oven for under $50. Dutch ovens are great because they can go from the stove to the oven to the freezer. They’re also incredibly durable.

Technorati Tags: chic, kitchen, mixers

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