| The materials that you pick for your cookware | | | | boiling work your saucepan cannot handle, |
| are critical. I like anodized aluminum | | | | switch to your stockpot. But be an informed |
| because it is the most durable I have found | | | | shopper when you buy your pot. Look for |
| on the market today. I am super tough on my | | | | quality. You need a good heavy flat bottom to |
| tools so, the strength of the pans is really | | | | distribute heat evenly and nice strong |
| important to me. Also, I need a non-stick | | | | riveted handles to carry it (when full of |
| surface. As a stay-at-home mom, I don't have | | | | liquid a quality 8 quart stockpot will weigh |
| time to scrub pans all day so for me, | | | | nearly twenty pounds.) One other thing, the |
| non-stick is nonnegotiable. So, all of the | | | | stockpot can be used for is deep-frying -- |
| pieces that I touch on here are aluminum and | | | | however, do not do this unless you know what |
| non-stick.Essential ToolsThe first piece of | | | | you are doing. You can hurt yourself |
| cookware I recommend is a skillet in about a | | | | severely; even start a fire by frying |
| 10-inch size. I suggest this because this pan | | | | carelessly.So that is the basics. If you live |
| offers unbelievable versatility for the | | | | in a small apartment or do not cook very |
| well-versed cook and a good learning curve | | | | much, that may be all you need. Ah but you, |
| for those who are not. Browning meat, frying | | | | my fine chef, want to start cooking more |
| eggs, toasting sandwiches and even baking | | | | ambitiously or find that these three just |
| cakes is what you can accomplish with this | | | | don't do the job for you.Well my friend, get |
| type of pan. To do all this, make sure yours | | | | ready for wave number two and size |
| is oven safe.The second essential piece of | | | | matters!!To start, you may want to add two |
| cookware I suggest is a good heavy saucepan | | | | more saucepans to your repertoire: one in |
| in about a 2-quart capacity. The reason for | | | | about a one-quart size and one in about a |
| suggesting this one is versatility again. | | | | three-four quart size. The varying sizes will |
| This pan can be used for boiling/steaming | | | | aid you as you venture deeper into the |
| vegetables, preparing rice dishes, all sauces | | | | culinary world.As you branch out into bigger |
| and making all manner of " in the box wonders | | | | dishes, a 12-inch skillet to compliment your |
| " found at your local supermarket.Third, and | | | | original is essential. This pan will help you |
| last of the basics is a good quality stockpot | | | | make those wonderful "one-pot" meals to feed |
| in about an eight to twelve quart size. | | | | your whole family. |
| Flexibility is the call here. For all your | | | | |