Good equipment is as important to good cooking as good recipes and good technique. Here are four pieces of cookware every enthusiastic cook should own, with information about how to choose.
Essential Cookware Item # 1: 12 Inch Standard Skillet
A standard skillet is a plain metal skillet (meaning it does not have a nonstick coating). Standard pans brown food better than nonstick pans do. Standard pans are also more versatile. Unlike nonstick pans, standard pans can be used over high heat on the stove-top, can be used in a hot oven, and can usually be placed under a broiler.
How to Choose:
Look for a clad pan, which is pan made of copper covered with a heavy-gage steel or anodized aluminum (anodized aluminum has been treated so it won't react with acidic foods). The handle should be plain metal (no plastic, silicone or wood) and be attached with study rivets. Clad pans tend to be expensive, and if you can't find a clad pan in your price range, go with a disk-bottom pan (a pan that has a steel or aluminum-coated copper disk welded to its underside). If you get one of these pans, make sure the disk covers the entire bottom of the pan. Any gap between the bottom and sides will create a “hot zone” where food will burn.
Essential Cookware Item # 2: Cast Iron Skillet
A cast iron skillet is the absolute best choice for searing a steak, blackening vegetables, or cooking in the great outdoors. It's also the best choice for the budget-conscious. For less than $30, you get a large, durable pan that can take insane amounts of heat and that will (with proper care) last a lifetime.
How to Chose:
Look for a pan made entirely out of iron (no wood handles). This allows the pan to be used over coals or under the broiler. Some pans come pre-seasoned. These should be shiny black and feel slick. Give a new pan a quick wash before using for the first time, to remove a protective coat of wax that manufacturers apply to prevent rust (make sure to follow the manufacturer instructions on how to wash the pan the first time).
Essential Cookware Item # 3: Heavy Duty Half Sheet Pan
Heavy heavy-duty half sheet pans (also known as jellyroll pans or lipped cookie sheets) are kitchen workhorses. These can be used to make oven fries, bake cinnamon rolls or (when equipped with a plain-metal cooling rack) even roast a chicken.
How to Choose:
Look for a heavy-duty pan designed for restaurant use. It should be made of heavy-gage steel. Avoid insulated pans, pans with nonstick finishes, or pans with fancy coatings, as these tend to under-bake or burn food (if you are worried about sticking, line the pan with baker's parchment, which also aids clean-up). When you hold the pan at the short ends and twist, you should not be able to bend it. Since these types of pans are not usually available in cookware stores, shop in a restaurant supply store or buy online.
Essential Cookware Item # 4: Plain Metal Cooling Rack
Plain metal cooling racks are useful for far more than just giving cookies a place to chill after exiting the oven. A sturdy cooling rack can be used in the oven to broil steaks, roast chickens, or keep breaded foods from becoming soggy. A large one, placed over a sink, can even provide extra space. Bowls of prepped ingredients can be placed there, or you can use the extra space to dry dishes when the drainer is full.
How to Choose:
Look for a study rack made of plain metal (no plastic or silicone coating). Good racks have sturdy feet and won't bend under pressure. Also, when you go shopping, make sure to bring whatever cookware you intend to use with the rack, so that you can make sure it will fit.
Want Specific Recommendations?
Check out the product reviews at www.CooksIllustrated.com. Cook's Illustrated is a magazine for cooking enthusiasts that does not accept advertising and receives no compensation for recommending specific products.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
3 Healthy Breakfasts You Can Make in Under 10 Minutes
It's important to eat breakfast. A good breakfast increases metabolism, reduces morning grogginess, and helps prevent lunchtime overeating. For those short on time, a drive-through doesn't have to the be only option. Many healthy breakfast foods are quick to prepare. Here are three great options if you're watching your waist as well as the clock.
Healthy Breakfast Idea #1: Scrambled Eggs
Eggs are rich in protein and vitamins. Using two egg whites per every whole egg retains the pretty yellow color while reducing fat. To make scrambled eggs, spray a nonstick skillet with no-stick spray and place it over medium-low heat. Separate two eggs into a bowl, retaining the whites and discarding the yolks (if you find separating eggs difficult, you can use packaged egg whites, which are available at most supermarkets). Crack a third egg into the whites and beat with a fork. Add salt, then poor into heated pan and stir gently with a heat-proof spatula until just set. Serve with toast or a piece of fruit.
Time-Saving Tip: You can prepare the eggs the night before. After you beat them, put them in a container with a tight-fitting lid. In the morning, all you'll have to do is pour them into the pan.
Healthy Breakfast Idea # 2: Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the best healthy breakfast foods, as it contains lots of fiber, few calories, and can even help lower bad cholesterol. Many stores now carry cannisters of quick-cooking oats. To make apple-cinnamon oatmeal, prepare plain oatmeal according to the package directions. Then, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce for every person you are serving (many stores carry single-serving applesauce containers, which prevents a large jar from sitting in the fridge and growing fur). Sprinkle on a half teaspoon of cinnamon per person and add sweetener to taste.
Time-Saving Tip: You can use the microwave. Most quick-cooking oats come with microwave-prep instructions, so you won't even have to wait for water to boil on the stove-top.
Healthy Breakfast Idea # 3: Berry Smoothie
Berries are one of the best sources of cancer-fighting antioxidants. To make a healthy breakfast smoothie you can pour into a glass and head out the door with, start by pouring a half cup of low-fat milk into a blender. Add a half-cup of plain low-fat yogurt and a cup of frozen berries (blueberries are one of the best choices), plus any sweetener you'd like. Puree on high until combined. Those who cannot consume milk products can make this smoothie by eliminating the yogurt and using a cup of soy milk and half a ripe banana cut into bite-size pieces.
Time-Saving Tip: You can measure the ingredients the night before. Mix the milk, yogurt and sweetener and put them in a sealed container in the fridge. Measure the berries and put them in a sealed container in the freezer. Then the next morning all you have to do is dump everything in the blender and push a button.
Healthy Breakfast Idea #1: Scrambled Eggs
Eggs are rich in protein and vitamins. Using two egg whites per every whole egg retains the pretty yellow color while reducing fat. To make scrambled eggs, spray a nonstick skillet with no-stick spray and place it over medium-low heat. Separate two eggs into a bowl, retaining the whites and discarding the yolks (if you find separating eggs difficult, you can use packaged egg whites, which are available at most supermarkets). Crack a third egg into the whites and beat with a fork. Add salt, then poor into heated pan and stir gently with a heat-proof spatula until just set. Serve with toast or a piece of fruit.
Time-Saving Tip: You can prepare the eggs the night before. After you beat them, put them in a container with a tight-fitting lid. In the morning, all you'll have to do is pour them into the pan.
Healthy Breakfast Idea # 2: Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the best healthy breakfast foods, as it contains lots of fiber, few calories, and can even help lower bad cholesterol. Many stores now carry cannisters of quick-cooking oats. To make apple-cinnamon oatmeal, prepare plain oatmeal according to the package directions. Then, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce for every person you are serving (many stores carry single-serving applesauce containers, which prevents a large jar from sitting in the fridge and growing fur). Sprinkle on a half teaspoon of cinnamon per person and add sweetener to taste.
Time-Saving Tip: You can use the microwave. Most quick-cooking oats come with microwave-prep instructions, so you won't even have to wait for water to boil on the stove-top.
Healthy Breakfast Idea # 3: Berry Smoothie
Berries are one of the best sources of cancer-fighting antioxidants. To make a healthy breakfast smoothie you can pour into a glass and head out the door with, start by pouring a half cup of low-fat milk into a blender. Add a half-cup of plain low-fat yogurt and a cup of frozen berries (blueberries are one of the best choices), plus any sweetener you'd like. Puree on high until combined. Those who cannot consume milk products can make this smoothie by eliminating the yogurt and using a cup of soy milk and half a ripe banana cut into bite-size pieces.
Time-Saving Tip: You can measure the ingredients the night before. Mix the milk, yogurt and sweetener and put them in a sealed container in the fridge. Measure the berries and put them in a sealed container in the freezer. Then the next morning all you have to do is dump everything in the blender and push a button.
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