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