What Your Mother Didn't Tell You About Cookware

I don't know about you but I am tired of spendingGet one large enough to hold a small turkey and
loads of money on useless cookware that create anheavy duty enough to be used for stovetop cooking.
avalanche every time I open my cabinet doors. WithIt will also double as a lasagna pan.
all there is to choose from (sautérs, frying pans,· Fish poacher-- Not really useful enough to have
specialty pans, etc.) and all the new technologyaround, besides you can poach fish in a roasting pan.
(waterless, stainless steel, non-stick, etc.), it is hard to· Griddle-- Handy if you really are into breakfast.
discern what is the best fit for my kitchen. So, I am· Crepe pan-- I own one, I'm not sure why though.
writing this article for my fellow Home Chef who areIt truly is a specialty item.
of average strength, budget, and who have an· Really big stockpots-- You know, the twenty
interest in improving their cooking skills with betterquart and up models. Handy if you brew beer or if
Kitchen Tools.you make three or four gallons of chili at once, or
The materials that you pick for your cookware aremaybe for boiling rib racks.
critical. I like anodized aluminum because it is the most· Risotto pan-- No way, this is just too specific. Little
durable I have found on the market today. I ameffort is required to make great risotto in a saucepot
super tough on my tools so, the strength of theor a sauté pan.
pans is really important to me. Also, I need aBuying Cookware
non-stick surface. As a stay-at-home mom, I don'tFor those of you who have been pricing high quality
have time to scrub pans all day so for me, non-stickcookware, well you have probably been sticker
is nonnegotiable. So, all of the pieces that I touch onshocked to death thinking about the cost of all this.
here are aluminum and non-stick.Here are some things that you will want to consider
Essential Toolswhen making this investment in your kitchen:
The first piece of cookware I recommend is a skillet1. Sit down and see how often you really do cook in
in about a 10-inch size. I suggest this because this panyour home. I know some families eat out a lot and
offers unbelievable versatility for the well-verseddon't bother cooking cause they are too busy with
cook and a good learning curve for those who arework and other things. Then we have those who
not. Browning meat, frying eggs, toasting sandwichesmake sure a home cooked meal is prepared and
and even baking cakes is what you can accomplishready for dinner each night. No matter what "type"
with this type of pan. To do all this, make sure yoursof family you are we always need some sort of
is oven safe.cookware in our home.
The second essential piece of cookware I suggest is2. First thing to look for is Quality and Warrantee.
a good heavy saucepan in about a 2-quart capacity.Those are the two most important things you should
The reason for suggesting this one is versatility again.look for in your next purchase of a cookware set.
This pan can be used for boiling/steaming vegetables,Reason being you don't want to keep wasting your
preparing rice dishes, all sauces and making all mannermoney on those cheap imitation pots and pans and
of " in the box wonders " found at your localthose that claim they are non-sticking, but really do
supermarket.stick after the first time you use them. You want a
Third, and last of the basics is a good qualitypair of cookware that has a lifetime guarantee, and
stockpot in about an eight to twelve quart size.stands up to High heat temperatures.
Flexibility is the call here. For all your boiling work your3. Non-Stick is the best because it's a breeze to clean
saucepan cannot handle, switch to your stockpot. Butup and nothing will stick after you cook it; just put
be an informed shopper when you buy your pot.your pot or pan in hot soapy water and clean up will
Look for quality. You need a good heavy flat bottombe a breeze for you.
to distribute heat evenly and nice strong rivetedPrice should be a factor in buying your cookware; the
handles to carry it (when full of liquid a quality 8 quarthigher the price the better quality and warranty you
stockpot will weigh nearly twenty pounds.) One othershall receive. There are ways that I have found to
thing, the stockpot can be used for is deep-frying --get one of the best all time ever cookware sets for
however, do not do this unless you know what youhalf price or even for free...
are doing. You can hurt yourself severely; even startREAD this:
a fire by frying carelessly.The Pampered Chef offers a line of cookware that
So that is the basics. If you live in a small apartmenthas all of the features listed in this article and more.
or do not cook very much, that may be all you need.But, why buy Pampered Chef cookware over the
Ah but you, my fine chef, want to start cookingother brands? I am so glad that you asked because
more ambitiously or find that these three just don'tthe other guys won't:
do the job for you.· Show you how to use their products.
Well my friend, get ready for wave number two and· Provide you with on-going customer service long
size matters!!after your initial purchase.
To start, you may want to add two more saucepans· Give it to you for free!!!
to your repertoire: one in about a one-quart size and· Give it to you for free and give you a paycheck.
one in about a three-four quart size. The varyingWhen you book a Pampered Chef party, you can
sizes will aid you as you venture deeper into theget all of this and more. When your sales reach
culinary world.$300.00 in merchandise, you can get the 5- and
As you branch out into bigger dishes, a 12-inch skillet7-piece Executive cookware sets (normally $570) for
to compliment your original is essential. This pan will½ price! This is much cheaper then going to a store
help you make those wonderful "one-pot" meals toand buying the "best" that they have to offer. And,
feed your whole family.you don't even need to have people in your home if
Next, you will want to start "moving" or sauté. Inyou don't want to. You can also qualify for this great
French, it means, "to jump" but in English, it is a fastdeal with a Catalog Show.
cooking technique that requires a small amount of oilNot only will you get the cookware for half price (or
or butter in a shallow pan over high heat. Sautéeven free if your sales are high enough), you will also
pans have wide flat bottoms and straight shallowhave a life - time warranty. That's right...lifetime!
sides, which accommodate this process; hence theAnything goes wrong...1 year, 2 years, 5 years down
name sauté pan. This design helps to move foodsthe road...you get a new one for free. Most places
back and forth over the burner during the cookingwon't touch that offer with a stick.
process. The flat bottom adds stability to the panSo, let me get this straight...
during the movement and allows enough room to...you can get the 5- AND 7- piece Executive
maintain even browning over every piece of food. Acookware set for ½ price or even free AND you
nonstick surface cuts down the amount of fatget a lifetime warranty? That is an incredible deal!!!
needed to coat your sauté pan to preventHere's how to take advantage of this no-risk offer:
sticking.1. Go to to set up your show today.
And there you have it; with just this cookware and2. For immediate service, you can order the products
respective lids you can conquer most culinary tasksat
and if you buy wisely it should all last forever.(Copy and paste this into your browser. Due to
If you are the cook who truly must have it all...company policy, I can't link you directly to the site.
...the list is almost endless. Here is my take on someSorry for the inconvenience.)
of this:It's that easy.
· Wok-- A nice thing to have and if you must haveIn order to make saying "yes" even easier here's one
only one pan this is what I suggest. Get a 12-inchmore advantage I think you will find irresistible:
size. Like any jack-of-all-trades this pan will doFor an entire year after your show is complete, you
everything, but nothing perfectly.receive a 10% discount on anything else that you
· Roasting pan-- A necessity for the well-appointedwant to purchase. Department stores and specialty
kitchen.stores do not want your repeat business that badly!