You should have seen the stuff I was cooking with. I have no idea how I managed it, but most of my old cheap cookware was completely warped. My pancake skillet was so bad, it was in the shape of a dome! Every time I tried to make anything on it, it would slide off the side. My skillets had buckled up in the middle like someone had sat on them sideways. Not to mention that Teflon stuff was coming off in various spots. My pans were truly hideous.
We were out at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and they had a deal on this set. Of course, a nice pots & pans set is never a "deal" monetarily. It hurt, but we finally coughed up the money, and bought a REAL set.
I never imagined cooking with a copper bottomed pan/skillet/pot would make such a difference! But they really do! I was used to food only cooking on one side of the pan, and having to move it around, but not with these babies! Everything cooks evenly, and at a lower temperature setting on the stove!
I know, I sound like some warped housewife from the 1950's, but I am so happy with my new cookware!
Ok, but here is the thing. Being that before now I was a total cheapskate, I only bought what I needed. This set has come with a few things that I don't know HOW to use!
For example, this is what they call a Dutch Oven. It's HUGE! The big inset pot has holes in it. But, beyond playing Pirates of the Caribbean, and making lobsters walk the plank into it, I cannot figure out WHAT I would use it for .There is also a "double-boiler". Now, I have watched enough sinful food shows (AKA Food Porn) to know I can melt chocolate that way.... But anything else?
With all the healthy recipes I make, I now have two new toys, but I'm not exactly sure how people use them, so I can incorporate them.
So, any suggestions?
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2 comments:
Double boilers are used for anything that you need to make using indirect heat. Why indirect heat? So that the item you are making will not scorch. This includes cream soups, chocolate based foods and delicate sauces (such as beurre blanc).
The dutch oven basically acts just like an oven when cooking. You can use a dutch oven for just about anything, especially stews and soups. You can sear the meat in the dutch oven and then add the remainder of the ingredients.
As for the inset pot that has holes in it: without seeing it, I'm going to guess it is a steamer. Use it to make veggies, etc.
I concur. :)
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