Tri-Stars of the Show: 3 Most Important Pots and Pans in Your Cookware Set

Take a good look at your kitchen cookware set. Missing lids, burnt bottoms, your old school non-stick pans are a little more on the sticky side. That’s the sign of a kitchen well lived. However, it may be time to replace some of those items. While buying all new pots and pans can become expensive, ultimately dropping thousands of dollars at one time for a high end set, you can assuage this cost by only buying the most essential pots and pans from a cookware set.

10-inch Non-Stick Pan
Your non-stick pan is the Holy Grail of cookware. It is one of the most versatile and easy-to-use pans in your cookware set, even your kitchen. You can cook every single meal in your non-stick pan and never need another pan again. They truly are the best thing in the kitchen since sliced bread.

16-quart Stock Pot
For all of the pasta lovers out there, or just those that have big families, this is the pot for you. Every kitchen needs a “big old pot” or stock pot, for all of your oversized cooking needs. Many restaurants use these pots to meet their daily supply on high demand items. No kitchen is complete without one.

3-quart Saucier
A saucier is slightly different than a sauce pan. It performs the same functions as a sauce pan; however, it is rounded and easier to use. Their rounded appearance makes it easier to whisk and mix food without having to deal with complicated square edges. Whether you’re making soup or poaching an egg, the saucier is your best friend.

A New Twist on the Basic Stir Fry

When we’re short on time, what is a one pot meal on which we can always rely? Stir fry! To this day, stir fry remains one of the most essential culinary weapons for any chef, beginner or veteran. However, when we think of stir fry, it’s common that the initial assumption is chicken and an assortment of vegetables over rice. Are you ready to shake it up a bit?

This recipe, originally found on CenterCutCook, showcases a delicious Kielbasa and Cauliflower Stir Fry. All you need are a few simple ingredients and your nonstick pan to get started.

Ingredients

·         1 tbsp. olive oil

·         1 diced yellow onion

·         ¼ tsp. ground black pepper

·         2 minced garlic cloves

·         2 lbs of medallion sliced kielbasa

·         1 head of cauliflower, in florets

Directions

In a large nonstick pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once the heat as reached temperature, add kielbasa and cook until well-browned. This step usually takes 5-6 minutes. Remove the browned kielbasa from the skillet and place on a separate plate and do not toss the plan drippings. With the pan drippings still in the nonstick pan, add the florets of cauliflower and cover. Cook for about 5 minutes. Then add your onion and garlic, uncover, and cook for an additional minute. Put the kielbasa back into the pan and cook through. Your dish should be ready in no time!

While the original recipe calls for turkey kielbasa and light seasoning of black pepper, you can use any type of cauliflower preferred and seasoned to your liking. This delicious meal will quickly become a new favorite for adults and children alike.

Copper Chef Friendly French Toast

While the battle between breakfast and lunch ensues, there is a new champion in the War of Foods that has silently, yet quickly, come in and taken over the top spot. That new champion of foods is Brunch. From Birthdays to just any old Sunday, the combination of breakfast and lunch has grown to be a favorite meal of people from all over.

As Copper Chef reviews some of their favorite recipes, a great brunch recipe from February 2016 comes to mind. Using the Copper Chef pan and frying basket you can make excellent Stuffed French Toast.

Ingredients

·         ½ cup honey

·         1 cup cream cheese

·          4 slices of bread

·         1 1/2 cups milk

·         1.2 tsp. cinnamon

·         1.8 tsp. nutmeg

·         1 cup flour

·         1 ½ tsp. baking powder

·         2 eggs

·         ¼ tsp, salt

Directions

·         To make you batter, mix the milk and eggs into a bowl. Then add the cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, baking powder, and salt in with the milk and eggs. Mix well.

·         Sandwich your honey and cream cheese, then cut into quarters.

·         Place your Copper Chef pan on medium heat and add your frying oil. Using a thermometer, check to guarantee that the heat of the oil has reached 350°F. If you have the fryer basket, gently place the basket into the heated oil and place your sandwich quarters into the basket.

·         Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the bread is lightly golden.

·         Serve with your choice of garnishment.

One bite into this delicious stuffed French toast and you’ll have a new favorite brunch food. To view the full recipe video, click here.

Mac ‘n Cheese, Please!

If you had to choose your favorite one pot meal, we bet that macaroni and cheese is what instantly came to mind. The quintessential definition of one pot meals, macaroni and cheese is a crowd favorite of the young and old alike. The versatility of this dish is what makes it worthy of its own blog post.

Macaroni and cheese, or Mac ‘n Cheese if you’re on a nickname basis, is a blank slate when it comes to making it. You can dress it up or dress it down depending on your preference. We’ve heard everything from a 6 cheese macaroni and cheese to the increasingly popular lobster macaroni and cheese. You have full creative control over how you want to make your macaroni and cheese. With that being said, we offer you the best blank slate macaroni and cheese recipe for your copper pot one pot meal.

Ingredients:

·         1 lb elbow pasta

·         2 cups shredded cheddar

·         1 US liquid quart of heavy cream

·         1 tablespoon of cornstarch

·         1 cup of water

Directions

·         Combine all ingredients into your cooper pan

·         Replace the lid onto your pan

·         Put the burner on a low heat

·         Cook until creamy and noodles are done.

·         Don’t forget to stir

·         Serve!

Feel free to add whatever you like to this recipe and then share your creations with us in the comments!

Stir Things Up: Summer Stir Fry Recipes You Need to Try

If there was ever a season for a good stir fry, summer would be it. Not only are stir fries simple one pot meals that take little time and effort to make, but using your copper wok is a great alternative to heating up the house with the oven. Everyone needs a great stir fry recipe in their arsenal, and here we are to provide you with three options.

Spicy Tofu and Chicken
The great thing about this recipe is that it tastes great with just chicken or just the tofu, making it a great vegetarian option for those interested in customizing the dish. This stir fry calls for fresh basil and mint, two great herbs that can be found in the summer. Simply combine all of your ingredients in your copper wok and enjoy a delicious meal in minutes.

Fried Teriyaki Rice
One of the most simple yet filling dishes on the list. The uses for rice are abundant, almost endless. That, coupled with the teriyaki sauce from scratch makes this a real winner and summertime necessity. Whether for lunch or for dinner, your family will be certain to love it.

Chicken Pad Thai
Combine succulent Asian flavors with flavorful summer herbs and seasonings in this easy-to-make dish on a hot summer night. While some Pad Thais tend to be a little more difficult, this recipe requires far fewer ingredients, but tastes just as delicious. Assemble all of your favorite ingredients into your copper wok and you’ll have delicious Pad Thai in 10 minutes!

Weigh These Cookware Tips To Extend Lifespan, Ensure Safety Of Pots, Pans In Your Kitchen

Expose anything to an open flame enough times and it’s going to start showing its age. This is especially true for your pots and pans, which are going to be put through a true stress test before reaching retirement age. High heat, acidic foods, dings and dents plus the constant prodding from utensils as you cook are some of the main offenders when it comes to the longevity of your cookware. However, the stakes get raised when you factor for health concerns. While every single type of cooking material has its own safety attributes that owners should consider, we’re here to suggest cooking  and clean-up methods that will extend the lifespan of your pots and pans. After all, there’s more to means than sitting around a dinner table to enjoy time with friends and family.

1) Dishwasher safe? If you’re using a non stick pan to prepare your favorite dishes, do yourself a favor and avoid putting it in your dishwasher. Not only should the non-stick attributes allow for easy cleaning by hand in the sink, but the high heat and dish soap used in dishwashers will compromise the coating itself.

2) “Seasoned” veteran: Cast iron cookware is often adopted by consumers for its rustic appearance. Many people opt for copper pots and pans for the same reason; it simply looks impressive hanging in anyone’s kitchen. Cast iron is great for those who don’t want to clean a ton of stuck and burnt food out, however “seasoning” your cookware is a prerequisite. Seasoning means giving your cast iron pan a coating of oil then putting it in the oven to give it a resistant skin for months to come.

3) Dents and dings: Aluminum cookware is everywhere. It’s efficient, easy enough to clean and gets the job done. Problem is, however, it’s susceptible to scrapes from utensils and that means miniscule amounts of aluminum will be coming up with it. For those using aluminum pots and pans, take extra care to not damage your cookware. Some health concerns have been linked to this type of damage and it’s suggested to retire such items well in advance of severe wear and tear starting to show.

Use Copper Cookware At Home For These Light Summer Seafood, Vegetable Dishes

With warm summer months just around the corner, our pallets about to make a similar seasonal shift. The slow-cooked stews make way for lighter vegetable and seafood dishes that won’t weigh us down during days of extreme heat. For those who’ll be preparing such meals at home, consider the benefits of copper pots and pans to get the job done for yourself, your friends, family or anyone else you’ll be entertaining. Favored by chefs the world over, copper cookware is praised for its even distribution of heat that allows users to precisely cook dishes without added risk of easily burning them. Moreover, copper cookware is excellent at browning items and clean-up is a cinch thanks to household items like lemon juice that can be used to remove blemishes. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite summer recipes for you to prepare using your new copper pots and pans.

Salmon with mixed vegetables

You’ll need:

- 2  pounds of  salmon, with skin 

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 4 stems of asparagus 

- 1 yellow squash 

- 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce 

- 3 tablespoons of white wine 

Directions:

- Preheat your copper pan for 4 minutes on medium heat.

- Place salmon, skin side down, in the pan and cook for 5 minutes.

- Add the yellow squash and asparagus around the sides of the pan.

- Add sweet chili sauce and wine.

- Place the lid on the pan.

- Cook on medium heat until desired doneness or about 10 minutes.

- Serve.

Pesto green beans

You’ll need:

- 2  tablespoons of pesto 

- 0.25  cup s of red wine vinegar 

- 0.75  cups of extra virgin olive oil 

- 1  pound of French green beans  

- 1  pinch of salt and pepper to taste 

Directions:

- Fill the copper pot half way with water and add 1 tablespoon of sea salt and bring the pot to a boil.

- Place the beans in the boiling water and cook until tender.

- In a bowl, add all the ingredients and mix.

- Place the warm beans into the bowl and toss.

- Serve