POTS AND PANS CITY BLOG

We are all looking for ways to make our money go further in today’s difficult economic climate.  Food is  a large and constant part of every family’s budget.

Buying cheaper cuts of meat is one obvious way to save. When coming home from work dead tired though, one wants something quick and easy to cook.  Grilling or frying a steak is one easy solution, but can be expensive.  And frying up a lower priced cut of meat does not a happy meal make.

Cooking with a crockpot is one good solution.  Crockpots use low heat and cook over a longer time than other types of cooking.  Cheaper cuts of meat can be best for crock pot cooking as they often have rich flavor and are tenderized by the long slow cooking.

Crockpots can also be very convenient as you can put the meat and vegetables into the pot in the morning before you go to work and come home to a meal mostly ready to eat. Often there is less cleanup time when you prepare your meal with a crockpot.  Crockpot cooking can also help keep the temperature down in the kitchen on those hot summer days.

You can adapt many recipes to the crockpot if you follow a few basic guidelines:

Vegetables
Root vegetables such as carrots and other dense vegetables such as potatoes should be cut into pieces that are one inch or smaller in size.  Since they take longer to cook, they should be placed in the bottom of the pot.

Beans
Beans should usually be soaked overnight before going into your crockpot.  Beans should be precooked enough to soften them before adding sugar or acidic ingredients such as tomatoes.

Liquids
Generally speaking, you can use about half as much liquid for crock pot cooking as you would if you were preparing the same recipe by another method.  One cup of liquid is usually enough unless the dish contains pasta or rice.

Rice and Pasta
Cook pasta just enough to make it slightly tender before adding to the crockpot if your recipe calls for adding cooked pasta.  For uncooked rice, add 1/4 cup extra liquid per 1/4 cup of rice.  Long grain converted rice works best.  You can add cooked rice shortly before servings if your recipe requires a long time in the crockpot.

Herbs and Spices
Whole herbs work well for crockpot cooking as they release their flavor over time.  The flavor of ground spices and herbs tends to dissipate with long cooking times, so it is better to add them towards the end of cooking.

Milk and Cheese
Milk, cheese, cream and sour cream don’t do well when cooking over long periods of time, so it is best to add these ingredients in the last hour of cooking.  For milk based soups, use 1 or 2 cups of water and then add your milk or cream in the last hour.

Try not to open your crockpot’s lid while cooking, as this will let the heat and water vapor escape, adding to your cooking time as well as drying out the contents.

Have you heard about the new waterless cooking method? It is a relatively new method of cooking that has many advantages. In the past, a lot of household cooking has involved cooking food with water. When cooked in water, however, a lot of the food’s nutritional value, not to mention the flavor, is taken away. Waterless cooking allows you to cook food in it own juices, retaining all the vitamins and minerals as well as most of the original flavor. There is no need to add water to foods (especially vegetables) because the natural moisture in the food is released and the steam created helps the cooking process. The steam is circulated throughout the pot and falls back into the food allowing it to stay moist and juicy.

So what are the advantages to waterless cooking? First of all, it is an easy way to cook. Many times you can use a one-pan cooking method so that all the food (meat, veggies and potatoes) is cooked together. This also allows for easier clean up with only one pan to wash up. And the new waterless cookware, with its superior heat distribution, tends to have less chance of food burning or sticking.

Waterless cooking also tends to cook food a lot faster. With the new waterless cookware available now the heat is evenly distributed along the bottom of the pot or pan. Because of this, there are no ‘hot-spots’ that may tend to burn your food. The lid of the pot forms a seal, which locks in the heat (as well as the moisture) so the cooking time is decreased.

As mentioned, waterless cooking is a healthy way to cook. None of the nutrients are lost during cooking, and you don’t need to add oil to stop the food from sticking to the pan, which also makes it healthier. The natural color and texture of the food is also retained which makes the food more appealing. Foods that are supposed to be crisp tend to keep their crunchy texture as well.

The features of waterless cookware that allow this cooking method to work include a flat bottom on the pots and pans which allow the most efficient means of heat transfer. The flat bottom connects with your stove element better, whether it be the coils of an electric stove or a gas unit, so that the heat transfer is more efficient. The cookware also has an iron core and an aluminum or copper base plate built into it that helps to retain a continuous, constant cooking temperature even after the heating element has been turned off.

Waterless cookware is typically made of high-grade stainless steel, which is better than other traditional pans in a couple of different ways. The stainless steel does not allow the taste of the metal to transfer to your food, as may be the case with aluminum or Teflon-coated cookware. Some companies use surgical stainless steel, which is the highest grade you can get for a real quality product. The stainless steel is easy to clean, durable (enabling it to last an extremely long time) and it allows you to keep your cookware sterilized.

One of the main features of waterless cookware is the special lid that keeps the natural moisture in the food from escaping. The lid forms a seal with the pot and lets the natural juices form into steam so the food cooks in its own natural juices, retaining all the nutrients and original flavors. There is a steam valve that whistles and tells you when you should turn off the heat (once the juices have created sufficient steam). In this way you save energy when cooking and the food is always cooked at a constant temperature.

Although it is referred to as waterless cooking, one thing you should do before cooking with this method is to rinse your food in water and then drain it before cooking. This ensures there will be enough water clinging to the food to create enough steam, mixed with foods natural juices, to cook it properly.

Cooking times with the waterless cooking method is generally a little less than traditional cooking times, depending on personal tastes for doneness. You should always cook your food at medium to low temperatures because the special waterless cookware construction allows the unit to conduct heat in the most efficient manner. You must also resist the urge to lift the lid during the cooking process as this will lengthen the cooking time and may even allow the food to dry out when the steam escapes.

The steam valve will tell you when you should turn off your stove element-when the correct temperature has been reached to allow the food to cook itself. When the steam valve whistles, turn off your stove, but do not lift the lid until the specified cooking time has elapsed-then you can open the lid and serve out your hot food. As a tip, put warm water into the unit after the food has been removed and let it sit while you eat so clean-up will be a snap afterwards.

Most recipes can be adapted (with a few alterations) to using the waterless cooking method as well. You will discover that old favorites will taste better and new recipes will be simple to master. The waterless cooking method is a new and healthier way to cook. It is more energy efficient, allows the food to retain its own juices, texture and color, and is an easy way to cook.

Update: For a few recipes using the waterless cooking technique,  also see our waterless cooking recipe page.

If you’ve shopped for cookware recently, you may have gotten a headache from looking at all the choices and brands available. And all of them seem to be telling you the same things – I’m the best; I’m a great value; buy me.

What should you buy? Before you start considering your cookware options consider the following five questions.

1) Do you cook for a few people or a lot of people? This will determine how many pots and pans you need and also how big you need them to be.

2) What kind of cooking do you most often do? I like to make homemade soup so a large stockpot is essential for me. On the other hand, I never steam anything on the stove top (I use an electric steamer) so a stove top steamer is useless to me. Think about what you cook or what you want to learn how to cook so you can determine what pieces of cookware you’ll need.

3) How important is ease of cleanup to you? If you hate cleanup you should probably buy non-stick cookware. If you want to be able to put your cookware in the dishwasher you’ll need to look at the sets you’re considering to see if it’s advisable. For example, hard-anodized aluminum cookware is a very popular type of cookware but the outside of the pots will change color and darken if you wash them in your dishwasher. I own this type of cookware and I love it. But there are days when I don’t love having to take the time to hand-wash it, but I do because I don’t want it to get discolored in my dishwasher. Most professional cooks prefer stainless steel cookware. It’s nice to cook with but clean-up can be fairly time-consuming.

4) What type of stove do you have? Do you have a smooth-top electric stovetop? If you do, you need flat-bottom pots and pans. I didn’t think about this when I purchased my smooth-top stove. I quickly discovered my pots and pans weren’t flat bottomed and that they didn’t work well on my new stove. As a result I had to go buy new cookware that had flat bottoms. If you have an induction cooktop you needs pots and pans with ferrite in them, which means they need to be magnetic.

5) What is your budget? I highly recommend buying the best quality cookware you can afford. The best quality is not always the most expensive cookware available, but it’s never the cheapest. If you buy a $49.99 set of cookware, you’ll be getting a bargain but you won’t be getting a good set of cookware.

Now that you’ve thought about your needs and know how much you can afford to spend, it’s time to go look at cookware. You’ll likely be using your cookware every day so you want something that you’re comfortable working with. But the number one thing to look for in cookware is weight and heft. Heavier weight cookware won’t warp over time which causes you to lose the flat, even cooking surface on the bottom of your pan; and you can control the heat better in heavier weight cookware. I’m not saying you have to buy cookware that you need to join the gym to be able to lift out of the cupboard but don’t buy cheap flimsy pots and pans.

If a pan feels like you could bend it, don’t buy it. I’m not suggesting you walk into a store, pick up every pot and pan and try to bend it, but look at one of the saucepans. If you push a little on the sides and that saucepan has some “give” to it, it’s not going to hold up well on your stove.

To get a good quality cookware set you’ll probably need to spend a minimum of $200 (. If you don’t have that much to spend consider buying only the essential pieces you need to get you started such as a 2-quart saucepan, a sauté pan and a stockpot. Add pieces as you can afford them. Although you’ll typically get the best value for your money if you buy a cookware set versus buying the individual pieces don’t buy a poor quality set just so you have an entire set of cookware. You’ll end up spending more money in the long run replacing those pots and pans when they get warped and ruined (which won’t take long).

If you take the time to consider your needs, do some shopping around, and purchase the best quality set of cookware you can afford, you’re likely to be happy with your purchase for a long time.

Update: 07/11/09 – Also see our cookware guide page.

If you are looking for new cookware for your household use, there are many types available and in many different price ranges. You can buy individual pieces or a complete cookware set for your specific needs. Choosing a cookware set usually saves you money and a set ensures that all the pieces you have will match in quality, appearance and use. But which cookware set should you choose? Read these cookware set reviews to see which may be best suited to your needs:

Calphalon CookwareSimply Calphalon Nonstick 14 Piece Set

The Calphalon cookware is created from a process invented by NASA to create anodized aluminum cookware, which has the advantage of being very hard and smooth, naturally resistant to corrosion, and being non-stick as well. The first cookware products were created for professional chefs, but later the Calphalon products were brought to the consumer market.

Calphalon has a couple of different cookware product lines. The Calphalon One Infused cookware combines the hard anodized aluminum material with a non-stick surface to produce extremely durable pots and pans. They are safe to use on the stove, in the oven or under the broiler, and you can even use metallic utensils with them. As a note, the Calphalon One also comes in a standard non-stick version.

The simply Calphalon Stainless product line is designed for home cooks on a budget. This line is made of 18/10 stainless steel and is easy to use and maintain. There is also the Calphalon Everyday cookware that is still very durable, with a non-stick surface. With both of these product lines, it is recommended that you do not use metal utensils with them, or use them under a broiler.

The Calphalon cookware pans heat very quickly, so it is recommended to heat and cook on low to medium heat only to avoid food overcooking and burning. This line of cookware is contemporary in design, easy to clean, and varying-sized sets include frying pans, omelette pans, saucepans, sauté pans and stockpots. Prices range from about $200 up to approximately $700.

Le Crueset Cookware

Le Creuset 9-Piece Cookware Set

The Le Crueset cookware company in France has been making cookware for over 80 years. This cookware is made from enameled cast iron. After the cast iron has been molded and enameled, much of the finishing on the cookware is done by hand so each Le Crueset Cast Iron piece is completely unique. In several publications, Le Crueset cookware has been rated as the best enameled cast iron cookware on the market today.

The cookware has a heavy cast iron core which is consistent in quality and thickness up the side walls and in the lids. This creates great heat conductivity and allows the food within it to remain hot for a considerable length of time when you take it to the table. It is reputed to be able to withstand high temperatures without warping, and can be used on the stove top, in the oven or for broiler cooking.
The downside to Le Crueset cookware is that it is considered to be a bit on the expensive side, but most cooks will consider the cookware to be worth the price. A 5 ½” Round French Oven is about $249 and a 7 ¼” Round Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Over is approx. $328.

Le Crueset also makes a stainless steel non-stick set of cookware that starts at about $428 for an 8 piece set. Superior heat conduction is ensured with these 3-ply stainless steel cookware pieces with a pure aluminum core. The pans heat quickly and food cooks evenly, and they are ergonomically designed for comfort.

Farberware Advantage CookwareFarberware Classic 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

The name of Farberware has been long known for its classic stainless steel cookware. Farberware has now introduced the Advantage line of cookware which is constructed from quality 18/10 brushed stainless steel with a number of special features. The pans have a thick disk base with an inner core of dense aluminum sandwiched between layers of stainless steel that create even heat distribution for ease in cooking. The pans are designed for easier pouring, and the flared design works with Epicurean style lids to create a reduction chamber that locks in food flavors as it cooks.

The long stainless steel handles on the pans are riveted in place and are open at the ends to assure minimal heat transfer so they stay cool to the touch throughout cooking. The Farberware cookware is oven and broiler safe, up to 500° F and is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. It is suitable to use on all stove types, including solid burner plates, ceramic, gas, electric, halogen and induction.

Farberware Cookware can be obtained at quite reasonable prices. A 12 piece set can cost about $130.

All-Clad Cookware

All-Clad Stainless 14-Piece Cookware Set

All-Clad cookware is one of the more popular brands of cookware on the market today, but it is considered quite pricey with a single frying pan over a hundred dollars. But All-Clad is considered to be worth the price, being created from cutting edge technology which pioneered the process of bonding metals together to enhance the benefits of each, while minimizing the drawbacks. The result maintains adequate heat conduction, ensuring that food cooks evenly.

All-Clad has extremely high standards and good quality construction. Each stage of the manufacturing process is hand inspected to ensure quality. This is sleek, contemporary cookware with flowing lines and attention paid to every detail. It is a quality product good for the home cook or professional chef.

All-Clad offers a few different product lines for you to choose from. All-Clad Stainless is one of the original products which boasts an aluminum core for faster, more even heating.

The Master Chef 2 line is crafted after the original design but re-imaged with the input from professional chefs. It boasts a brushed aluminum exterior lined with non-reactive stainless steel in a contemporary style.

The Copper Core All-Clad line blends stainless steel with a copper core for those who want the precision of copper cooking without the fuss and hassle. It is easy to clean and use.

There is also the All-Clad LTD cookware set that features layers of anodized steel, aluminum and stainless style for excellent heat conductivity. It has a gleaming black exterior for an impressive appearance. The Cop R Chef is cookware designed for the professional chef.

When using All-Clad cookware, you should avoid using high heats which could burn or tarnish the exterior, and unless it states otherwise, this cookware should not be placed in a dishwasher.

Anolon Titanium Cookware

Anolon Advanced Nonstick Hard-Anodized Aluminum 12-Piece Cookware Set

There are many advantages to using titanium cookware. It is reputed to be healthier because you use less oil while cooking. The pans are supposed to be truly non-stick so you don’t need to use oil or water to cook your food, which makes it easy to clean. Titanium cookware is very light, weighing less than other pots and pans while still retaining the strength needed for a solid piece. It also is very durable and lasts literally forever, and it resists dents and scratches. This type of cookware also heats quickly which reduces cooking times, but as a downside, titanium can be prone to ‘hot spots’ which if not watched can cause food to burn.

Anolon provides a set of titanium cookware that is fairly reasonably priced at about $270 for a 10 piece set. This cookware is composed of heavy-gauge hand-anodized aluminum coated with titanium composite that is non-porous and easy to clean.

Whichever cookware set you decide to choose, you will be assured of many years of use. Of course, price may be an issue, but buying the best quality cookware that you can afford will offer you years of cooking joy.