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