New Year, New Cookware

As we settle in to the new year, and celebrate all we have achieved in 2013 and look forward to all we will accomplished in 2014, it’s time to take stock of your kitchen. If your cookware could use an upgrade, this month’s sale at The Chopping Block provides an opportunity to save big on quality cookware.

There are many benefits of owning a good piece of cookware. When you invest in a top-of-the-line item, you typically get a fantastic warranty along with it. We call these pieces heirloom pieces. That’s because the high quality to which the cookware is constructed will allow it to last from generation to generation. The warranties also give you security that the piece you buy today will be covered for many years to come.

Besides the value of the financial investment, there are obviously culinary benefits to quality cookware as well. For those of you who read my blogs, you know I have an affinity for “slow and low” cooking, especially braising. The art of braising becomes much more sound when using a great pot.

There are two basic choices of pots for braising, either a cast iron dutch/french oven or a stainless steel pot. There are positives for using each type. Cast iron will allow for consistent and sustained heating. Cast iron retains heat unlike any other type of cookware, which is great for braising or any kind of “low and slow” style of cooking. The stainless pot by All-Clad is great because the high quality stainless steel heats very evenly, which allows for consistent browning or searing. Browning or searing is an essential part of the braising process.

Another piece of equipment necessary for any home cook is a good fry pan or saute pan. The most classic style of fry pan can be found in the Le Creuset, All-Clad or Lodge lines. The Le Creuset and All-Clad are stainless steel options, and Lodge is cast iron.

The differences between stainless and cast iron will be the same as I mentioned above. The major difference with the fry pan comes when you compare a regular stainless pan to a non-stick pan. The regular stainless will give you a better sear and browning where as the non-stick will allow for easy cleaning and works better with more delicate foods, such as fish or eggs. Both the All-Clad and Le Creuset fry pans come with lifetime warranties.

Even though the holiday season is now over, don’t miss out on this opportunity to get our top-of-the-line cookware at a great price. Stop in either of our locations to see our cookware in action and decide what pieces you need in your kitchen.

What piece of cookware could you not live without?

via Business 2 Community http://www.business2community.com/food-recipes/new-year-new-cookware-0728848?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-year-new-cookware