Know Your Cookware

I used to cook in whatever I could find that was affordable and cute. It didn't matter where it came from or what it was made of. If it was a pan and I could cook in it, it was fine. One day, after watching too many hours of cooking shows, I couldn't stop talking about wanting nice pots and pans, so my husband decided to buy me a set. It was pricey, close to $400, stainless steel, shiny and full of promises. Well, 20 years later, guess what I'm still using? Same set. Like knights in shining armor, they have served me well. Knowing what I know now, I could have taken better care of them, but still, with all my neglect, the pans remain my only partners in cooking. It took me a while and a lot of research to really get the hang of it and use them with confidence. There's nothing I would rather cook with. I do have one ceramic non-stick that my son uses to cook bacon, it's square, it works, if you are gentle.

Non-stick works great but doesn't last long. With gentle care, meaning no high heat, no metal utensils, and careful cleaning, it can serve you well for months. But once the finish starts to go, it's trash time.

I tried cast iron, and other than feeling nervous about the maintenance of keeping it seasoned, it really did a number on my wrists. So cast iron doesn't exist in my house anymore.

The other day, while scratching my curiosity about what else is out there, I found myself overwhelmed by the choices. Some aren't new, but between titanium, copper, aluminum, steel with this coating and that core, it's a lot. After reading and researching materials and brands, I once again ended up at the same conclusion: stainless steel wins every time. Durable, great results, cleans up nicely, and even when I burn something it survives. It is worth investing in a decent set and learning how to use it properly, and it's really not that difficult. Depending on what you're cooking, you want the temperature just right, and the rest is fun and games. Cooking should be a pleasant experience. Pair it with some good music and you can't go wrong.