Sunday, December 19, 2010

Basic Cookware Explained

What is All-Clad stainless steel cookware and why is it the best top-of-the-line bake ware you can buy?
All-Clad cookware is made with a heavy aluminum inside which extends up the sides of the pan. It is coated with a stainless steel cooking surface and has an outside layer of magnetic stainless steel. This type of bake ware is ideal for cooking on a gas stove where the flames can burn up the sides of the pots and pans. These types of pots and pans are heavier than the less expensive kinds that you find at cheap discount stores. This cookware is extremely popular among the expert chefs, holds up well in high heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and it comes in a nonstick version as well.

Maybe you like to do lots of browning. If so you may want to use uncoated or non coated cookware for your favorite recipes. A top brand of uncoated pots and pans are made by Wolfgang Puck. Although it is not the traditional non-stick cookware it does have a special coating that prevents sticking and provides for easy clean-up. You can get this quality cookware at very low prices at
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Calphalon nonstick bakeware is a hard anodized aluminum bake ware with a nonstick coating. If you are looking for a cheaper brand that will perform almost as well as the more expensive ones this may be what you are searching for. Plus it is also lighter in weight than most All-Clad varieties or brands. It may require a little more energy on your part during cleanup though since most Calphalon nonstick pots and pans are not dishwasher safe. Another positive aspect to this type of cookware is that it can be used in your oven in temperatures up to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Similar to Calphalon, Wolfgang Puck is a high quality cookware that compares favorably to other top-of-the-line pots and pans and is a very good value for the money. Your favorite recipe will still taste delicious. Famous chef Wolfgang Puck has this line made mostly in stainless steel. Wolfgang Puck pots and pans – like much of the world’s best cookware – is made of 18/10 stainless steel that was chosen for its durability, great looks and the fantastic results it produces. Stainless is also non-reactive with foods, meaning that your flavors remain true. And the bright mirror finish resists foods sticking when heated and seasoned properly, making clean-up faster and easier.

Each piece of Chef Wolfgang Puck’s cookware comes with a 4mm encapsulated aluminum disc in the base for more even heating and cooking on any type of stove. This pan’s tempered glass lid lets you monitor cooking progress without letting heat escape. And the hollow, stainless handle is double-riveted to the pan for a lifetime of trouble-free use.
Wolfgang Puck Stainless Steel Cookware is coated with a patented Excalibur coating. This coating is beyond simple coating, it is patented by Whitford Worldwide and has been proven as one of the most durable coatings, which resists corrosion and remains non-stick a lot longer than other brands. The coating on the cookware is especially interesting because it allows you to use metal utensils in the pots and pans without ruining them throughout the years you have them. Most companies will advice to use plastic or wooden utensils, but this top quality brand and coating lets you have more range of motion in the kitchen.

The debate about nonstick or uncoated has endured for many years, but which is actually better? Experts have always said that uncoated cookware gives better results, but nonstick has its advantages too. Fried eggs and pancakes are a couple of obvious examples of foods that are more fun to cook or bake on a nonstick surface. No more sticking to the pan during cooking or cleanup. Scraping cooked eggs off the pan is not one of the most enjoyable cooking activities. High quality nonstick skillets will contain a fully coated aluminum plate bonded with stainless steel allowing for even heat distribution. You can also find top brands that are dishwasher safe, although most manufacturers will recommend hand washing.

Starting with high quality cookware is a must if you are looking for the most enjoyable cooking experience. And before you can purchase the most ideal bakeware for your needs you have to ask yourself a few questions. How much can I afford? Will it bother me if they are not dishwasher safe? Do I want nonstick or uncoated? Would I prefer better cookware or easier cleanup? After answering these questions you will have a much better idea as to the type of cookware best suited for your personality.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Essential features of Cookware

The two essential features of cookware are that it should have good thermal conductivity and that it should be chemically unreactive with the ingredients that are cooked in it. Metallic cookware are found to possess these essential features and hence are the most widely used forms of cookware across the globe. They are generally made from a narrow range of metals. Most metals that exhibit good thermal conductivity are too reactive to be used in food preparation. Hence selection of the right type of metal for cookware is crucial. The most popular metals that find usage in cookware are:

Aluminium

Aluminium is a lightweight metal which exhibits very good thermal conductivity. The main characteristics of aluminium are that it does not rust, and is resistant to many forms of corrosion. Being a soft metal, it is commonly alloyed with magnesium, copper, or bronze to increase its strength. It is generally available in sheet, cast or anodized forms. Sheet aluminum which is spun or stamped into form is commonly used for making baking sheets, pie plate, cake pans, steamers, pasta pots, skillets etc. Cast aluminium produces a thicker product than sheet aluminium and is suitable for saucepots, dutch ovens, heavyweight baking pans etc. However, due to the microscopic pores caused by the casting process, cast aluminium possesses low thermal conductivity than sheet aluminium. Anodized aluminium, on the other hand, has the naturally occurring layer of aluminium oxide thickened by an electrolytic process to create a surface that is hard and non-reactive.

Copper

Copper is a metal which has the unique characteristic of providing good thermal conductivity, besides ensuring even heating. Due to these advantages, copper cookware has found a prominant place in Western cooking. The best copper cookware were made out of a thick layer of copper to ensure good thermal conductivity and a thin layer of tin to prevent the metal from reacting with acidic foods. However they tend to be heavy, expensive and requires occasional retinning. Copper cookware are now available with stainless steel rather than tin linings which last much longer. They are best suited for high-heat, fast-cooking techniques.

Cast Iron

Cast iron cookware is slow to heat, but once heated, provides even heating. It is cost effective and can withstand very high temperatures. Being a reactive material, cast iron is known to react with high acid foods. Cast iron, being a porous material, requires seasoning before use. Though cast iron cookware can be washed with soap, it should not be soaked in water or left wet for long.
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Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron containing a minimum of 11.5 % chromium. It is resistant to corrosion and does not react with either alkaline or acidic foods. Stainless steel cookware though are light, cannot be easily scratched or dented. Though stainless steel finds general acceptance in cookware industry, its main drawback is its relatively poor heat conductivity. To overcome this, stainless steel cookware is generally made with a metal insert of copper or aluminium at the base.
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Monday, May 17, 2010

The Perfect Pot For Every Preparation

The Perfect Pot For Every Preparation

When it comes to buying good cookware, there are a lot of different options. Some people like to buy a matched set of cookware, but seasoned cooks often like to mix and match making an eclectic set that assures them the perfect finish to every dish they create.

It is hard to know what kind of pan works best for what kind of dish, so keep this handy guideline on hand and you will never choose the wrong type of pan for whatever delectable dish you whip up.

Aluminum: Aluminum makes for an all around pan that can be used for many things. It takes a little bit of steel wool applied with elbow grease to keep it shining, but the finished product is well worth the effort. A good aluminum pan will provide even heat distribution making it the perfect choice for sautéing of frying food evenly.

Stainless Steel: In a perfect world, all of your pots and pans would be stainless steel, but in the real world, their cost is a bit inhibitive to this dream. They are extremely easy to clean with stainless steel cleaner and practically impossible to destroy. You should always purchase stainless steel pans with copper, aluminum, or laminated-steel bottoms. You can also find pans that are clad in aluminum on the bottom and sides, to give an even distribution of heat. Stainless steel pans are the all purpose pan and can be used to cook just about anything.


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Teflon: Teflon is a coating that is applied to many different pots and pans. Cookware that is coated with Teflon has a non-stick surface making it perfect for frying food without using a lot of oil. Clean up of Teflon coated pans is also very easy because foods don’t stick to the surface. Cooking eggs in a Teflon pan is an easy task because the non-stick surface lets them slide out of the pan and onto your plate without breaking. Teflon does have one problem. If you use a metal utensil to stir your food you could scrape off the Teflon surface causing food to start sticking to your pan. You should always use wooden or plastic utensils with your Teflon. On the upside, Teflon pans are rather inexpensive, so if they do get ruined, they are easy to replace.


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Cast Iron: Chances are your Grandma had a cast iron pan or two and if you inherited one of her old beauties, the remnants of every meal she ever cooked have been captured in its sturdy coat. Cast iron must be seasoned before you use it for the first time. You season the pan by spreading melted shorting all over its inside and placing it in a warm oven for a few hours. Every so often you swab the oil up the sides of the pan. When you cook in a cast iron pan, you should never wash it with the rest of your cookware. Detergent and rust are the enemies of cast iron. Wash your cast iron pans with a mild soap and dry immediately with a paper towel. It is even a good idea to take the dried pan and place it in the oven so the pilot light can dry up any moisture you missed. Cast iron skillets are fantastic tools for cooking a mouth watering steak.

Copper: Copper makes for a beautiful pan, but truthfully most copper pans serve a decorative purpose in the kitchen. They are hard to keep clean and distribute heat poorly. There is one job in the kitchen that is best done in a copper pan or bowl. Egg whites being whipped for meringue come out much more airy and light when whipped in a cooper dish.


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Sunday, April 18, 2010

The Wolfgang Puck Collection of Cookware

The Wolfgang Puck Collection of Cookware

Wolfgang Puck, the famed chef and celebrity, started getting noticed after building a good reputation for quality dining in Hollywood with his restaurant “Spago”. From there he expanded his business and operations to write books, open multiple quick service restaurants, and branding cookware. The Wolfgang Puck collection of cookware is one of the top rated options for the home cook to utilize. Combine the cookware with some quality knives from Wolfgang Puck, and you’ll find that there is a great wealth of low cost and high quality options to fill your kitchen.

It is a known fact that there is a lot of different celebrity endorsed cooking products available on the market, but some of the best ones are coming through the Wolfgang Puck Collection of cookware. It is not just a marketing ploy, and a fancy name with out quality items. Wolfgang Puck has really stood by his products and offers a quality warranty on each item, mixed with easy to use naturally ergonomic handles, at a price that’s hard to beat.

There are two major collections in his cookware options. The first is the Bistro collection and the second is the Café collection. Both major collections offer a wealth of options for the home cook to utilize. You’ll see pans, pots, griddles, grilling pans, and so much more. Each pan is coated with a patented coating that is known to withstand the test of time. Not only is the pan non-stick, it also can safely be utilized with metal utensils, which is something that most pots and pans aren’t capable of without being scratched and ruined.

Another major option in the Wolfgang Puck collection is his line up of stainless steel pots and pans. These are also coated with an outstanding coating, which offer durable, long lasting use. If that wasn’t enough, there are also cast iron options available to the home cook, which can be utilized for a variety of cooking projects.

The cookware is specifically designed to distribute heat evenly, and is even safe in the oven to 400 degrees of heat. Taking care of your cookware is also a breeze, and with proper care, could last well beyond the warranted years with no problem. You’ll be hard pressed to find another brand of cookware with the versatility of the Wolfgang Puck collection.

Before purchasing anything for your home, it’s important to look at a variety of reviews. There are a lot of great reviews written by many walks of life and backgrounds praising the quality and ease of use of this cookware. Experts and amateurs agree that this collection of cookware is not just another celebrity branded item, it actually matches a lot of higher end options in quality and style, without forcing you to break the bank to get them. Whether you have a small family, or a large family, you’ll find the cookware is a great overall option to add to your home. If you’re not convinced, check out other options, but when they leave you disappointed, you’ll most likely choose this line up of quality items, as many cooks have found through trial and error.

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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Choosing Pots And Pans For Your Kitchen

Experts know the value of having quality tools to accomplish any task. Yet how many of us struggle by with cheap tools that waste time rather than save money. Choosing pots and pans for your kitchen is one area in which you shouldn’t scrimp.

Choosing pots and pans is an important job. Pots and pans come into contact with the food you and your family are eating, so it is vital that they be made of quality materials. Before choosing pots and pans for purchase, consider the different materials that are available:

• Choosing pots and pans made of stainless steel is a popular choice. Stainless steel pots and pans require little maintenance and are fairly durable. They also do not react with most foods, so you can cook any kind of food without worrying about discoloration or other chemical problems.

• Non-stick coatings are also widely-purchased by cooks choosing pots and pans. Electrochemically sealed aluminum (anodized aluminum) is a common non-stick option for those choosing pots and pans because it cooks more evenly and can sustain higher temperatures that other non-stick cooking vessels.

• Choosing pots and pans made of copper should be a careful, fully informed decision. Copper, while a great conductor of heat, can be difficult for novice cooks to manage. Additionally, copper pots and pans require a good deal of regular maintenance to retain their gorgeous lustre and appearance. Occasionally, copper and stainless steel are combined to capture the best traits of each material in one piece.

• Cast iron is super for cooking at high temperatures, but not the best option if you’re in a hurry. Choosing pots and pans made of cast iron means you will have to be patient and you will have to take care to dry and season (oil) your pots and pans often.

When choosing pots and pans, you should consider not only the material, but also the variety of vessels you will need to equip your kitchen. Full sets may be an attractive choice, but you way want to think about choosing pots and pans individually. By choosing pots and pans individually, you avoid buying pieces you won’t use, therefore saving money to invest in pieces you will use over and over again.
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Monday, April 12, 2010

Buying Kitchen Equipment: Tips And Tricks To Help You Save Money
You sit down to cook a meal but get frustrated. You spend a whole looking for the right kitchen utensils. After a few minutes of frustration you realize that the reason why you are spending so long looking for tools is that you do not have exactly what you need. You are in need of some new kitchen equipment.
The problem is, your kitchen needs a major overhaul, and this can be expensive. You need to find a way to save on kitchen equipment or else you will get frustrated every time you try to cook something.
Every great chef understands that having the best equipment you can find is essential to your success. They also know that if you have too many appliances and gadgets in your kitchen, it can get overwhelming and confusing, not to mention expensive.
In this special report, you will learn how to save on kitchen equipment. Here are some things that the report will cover:
 The equipment you need for a well stocked kitchen. 

 How to take inventory of what you already have so you don’t waste money. 

 Read reviews and ask others what they think so you can purchase high quality equipment. 

 How to be wary of the latest fads in cooking equipment. 

 Learning the difference between inexpensive equipment and cheap equipment. 

 Discover the difference between ―needing‖ and ―wanting‖. 

 How to comparison shop so you can find what you need for less. 

 How to find the best deals. 
There are several things to keep in mind when you set out to purchase kitchen equipment for less. This special report will help educate you on how to find the best deals. It will also show you that inexpensive does not mean that it is good quality. When it comes to kitchen equipment, you often want things that are built to last.
Before you get started purchasing things for your kitchen, it is important to understand what you really need. But before you can do that, you need an idea of which items make up a well equipped kitchen. Here is a basic list. Keep in mind that you can add and subtract items depending on your cooking habits. But, it is important to get this list written down before you start buying things. It will help you save money.
 Basic Kitchen Utensils 


Mixing bowls 

Measuring cups, spoons, and glass measuring cup for handling liquids Soup ladle 

Whisk 

A really food knife set Can opener 

Potato masher Wooden spoons Vegetable peeler Colander Rubber spatulas 

 Appliances 


Blender Mixer Toaster 

Food processor (helpful, but not necessary) 


 Baking Dishes and Pans 


Dishes for baking and cooking things in the oven such as cookie sheets ceramic baking dishes, and cake pans. 
Home Chef Kitchen Management
6
Roasting pan for larger meats and one for smaller meats.
A good, standard pan set that includes everything such as pots, sauté pans, and fry pans.
Large soup pot and other pots and pans you may need that are not included in the set.
It is important to write down how you envision your kitchen. Think about what you need in your kitchen at the bare minimum.

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Types of Kitchen Knives

Chef's knife

Also known as a cook's knife or French knife even though the knife style originates as the German cook's knife , the chef's knife is an all-purpose knife that is curved to allow the cook to rock the knife on the cutting board for a more precise cut. The broad and heavy blade also serves for chopping bone instead of the cleaver making this knife the all purpose heavy knife for food preparation. Chef's knives are most commonly available between 15 cm and 30 cm (6 and 12 inches), though 20 cm (8 inches) is the most common size.

Paring
A paring knife is a small knife with a plain edge blade that is ideal for peeling and other small or intricate work (such as de-veining a shrimp, removing the seeds from a jalapeño, or cutting small garnishes). It is designed to be an all-purpose knife, similar to a chef's knife, except smaller. Paring knives are usually between 6 and 10 cm (2½ and 4 inches) long.

Utility
Not to be confused with Utility knife.
A utility knife is between a chef's knife and paring knife in size, about 10 cm and 18 cm (4 and 7 inches) in length. The utility knife has declined in popularity, and is at times derided as filler for knife sets. This decline is attributed to the knife being neither fish nor fowl: compared to a chef's knife, it is too short for many food items, has insufficient clearance when used at a cutting board, and is too fragile for heavier cutting tasks, while compared to a paring knife, which is used when cutting between two hands in air (e.g., carving a radish), the added length offers no benefit and indeed makes control harder in these fine tasks.[4] This said, some enjoy using utility knives, especially for cutting sandwiches and light spreading.

Bread knife
Bread knives are a type of serrated knife that is usually between 15 cm and 25 cm (6 and 10 inches), with 20 cm (8 inches) being a common length. The serrations on the blade make it ideal for cutting bread and other foods with a hard surface and soft interior. An offset serrated knife uses an offset handle to ensure the cook's knuckles will not touch the cutting surface when the blade has cut all of the way through the food.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Arming Your Kitchen With Basic Cooking Utensils

There’s no doubt that having the right tools for the job makes any task easier, and there’s no better place to illustrate this than in the kitchen, where having the right cooking utensils can be the difference between creating good meals and great meals.

Many cooks think about major appliances such as the stove and refrigerator when planning to equip their kitchens, but to be a success in the kitchen, you need to have a good selection of cooking utensils in addition to the bigger items. And don’t forget, cooking utensils means more than just spoons; there’s a host of small cooking utensils ranging from cutting devices, juicers, graters and more.

Think about what you do in a kitchen and about how different cooking utensils come into play for each task:

• Washing and drying fresh produce – always easy to accomplish with a strainer and salad spinner. A vegetable peeler is also an important addition to your cooking utensils closet.

• Slicing, chopping and dicing all kinds of food and garnishes – a food processor makes short work of vegetables, but mandolins, knives and graters are also helpful cooking utensils to have on hand.

• Measuring – cooking and baking can be a form of art and recipes should be followed as precisely as possible so measuring dishes, cups (both wet and dry measures) and measuring spoons are invaluable cooking utensils.

• Weighing – depending on what you like to cook, you may want to add a food scale to your shopping list of cooking utensils. Such a tool can be excellent for portioning meat and other products that have cooking times affected by weight.

• Temperature – as important as measures are temperatures, which can affect the success of your kitchen endeavors. An oven or meat thermometer is key to having properly cooked meat that is safe to eat, and should be included in your pantry of cooking utensils.

• Mixing – no kitchen would be complete without a cadre of mixing bowls in its cooking utensils cupboard. Having a selection of bowls in assorted sizes is essential to fast, efficient cooking.

• Manipulating, poking, prodding, lifting and stirring – perhaps what most often comes to mind when you think of cooking utensils are implements used to move food: spoons, forks, knives, spatulas, wire whisks, pastry blenders, tongs, salad lifters, slotted spoons, wooden spoons, serving spoons and more.

By imagining the tasks you do every day in the kitchen, you will get a better idea of the cooking utensils you should consider purchasing. Think about every stage of the food preparation process, from storage and cleaning, to cooking and presenting.

Other useful cooking utensils: pastry brush, kitchen shears, rolling pin, salt shaker, pepper mill, cutting board, ramekins, flour sifter, rotary beater, ladles, juicer and a can opener. Cooking utensils come in a range of prices, quality and materials such as wood, metal, rubber and silicone. Regardless of how much you pay, always make sure any cooking utensils that have multiple pieces, fit together securely.
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Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Wonderful Tools of Cooking

Far too often people overlook the importance of using the proper tools when cooking fine meals. While there is nothing in the world that can quite compare to cooking with the finest and freshest of ingredients, these things can only be enhanced by making use of the perfect tools for the job at hand.


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When it comes to pots and pans and skillets you should keep in mind that conductivity is of extreme importance. You should also select pots and pans that are made of a heavier gauge. This allows your pans to heat evenly avoiding hot spots, which can lead to food that may ‘stick’ to your pan or scorch during the cooking process. This means that simply stopping in at your local mass market retailer and purchasing any old set of pots and pans is probably not the best course of action for the best possible quality in your kitchen.


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Kitchen knives are also important ingredients in the kitchens of today. If you plan to prepare many meals in your kitchen, the quality of your knives is of the utmost importance. Your knives are an investment you shouldn’t have to make too often in your lifetime. For this reason, select a really good set and be prepared to make a sizeable investment in your knives. You will never understand, unless you’ve tried to prepare foods with knives of inferior quality, just how important it is to purchase good quality and well-balanced knives for your kitchen. You should also try the handles in your hand to see how comfortable they feel before purchasing a set of knives. If you do a lot of chopping and cutting during your meal preparation and cooking you will want to make sure that the knives you are using feel comfortable in your hands.



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If you are like me and plan on cooking a great deal of meat then you should also invest in a jacquard. This useful tool helps not only when it comes to tenderizing rather rough and tumble cuts of meat but also pierces the surface so that rubs and marinades can penetrate for a more flavorful experience. This is by far one of my favorite kitchen gadgets and it isn’t a sizeable investment for the added value it provides to meals.



A good quality grater is another tool that no kitchen should be complete without. There are many who feel that with all the pre shredded cheese products on the market today this tool is obsolete but nothing could be further from the truth. First of all, pre grated and pre packaged cheese simply doesn’t touch the quality of flavor that freshly grated cheese provides. Second, cheese isn’t the only thing that these graters are useful for grating. Graters are excellent tools for grating citrus fruits, spices, garlic, chocolate, and even onions. If you do a good deal of baking in addition to your cooking you should not overlook the value of having a quality grater in your kitchen.


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Of course there are many more cooking tools than I could possibly mention here. Those mentioned above simply happen to be among my personal favorites. There are all kinds of appliances that in my humble opinion no kitchen is truly complete without. In addition to these great appliances there are many tools that are simple matters of preference. Do you peel enough potatoes to warrant a special device for doing so or do you simply opt to purchase an ergonomically designed potato peeler and peel them by hand? There are no one size fits all answers when it comes to kitchen tools and many of us are often limited by serious budget constraints and restrictions. My best advice if this is the situation for you is to purchase the best possible quality you can afford and build from there. Even if it means replacing one pot or knife at a time until you can manage a complete set of superior quality cooking tools you will find it well worth the price you’ve paid in the long run.


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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Basic Cooking Utensils

There’s no doubt that having the right tools for the job makes any task easier, and there’s no better place to illustrate this than in the kitchen, where having the right cooking utensils can be the difference between creating good meals and great meals.


Many cooks think about major appliances such as the stove and refrigerator when planning to equip their kitchens, but to be a success in the kitchen, you need to have a good selection of cooking utensils in addition to the bigger items. And don’t forget, cooking utensils means more than just spoons; there’s a host of small cooking utensils ranging from cutting devices, juicers, graters and more.

Think about what you do in a kitchen and about how different cooking utensils come into play for each task:

• Washing and drying fresh produce – always easy to accomplish with a strainer and salad spinner. A vegetable peeler is also an important addition to your cooking utensils closet.

• Slicing, chopping and dicing all kinds of food and garnishes – a food processor makes short work of vegetables, but mandolins, knives and graters are also helpful cooking utensils to have on hand.

• Measuring – cooking and baking can be a form of art and recipes should be followed as precisely as possible so measuring dishes, cups (both wet and dry measures) and measuring spoons are invaluable cooking utensils.

• Weighing – depending on what you like to cook, you may want to add a food scale to your shopping list of cooking utensils. Such a tool can be excellent for portioning meat and other products that have cooking times affected by weight.

• Temperature – as important as measures are temperatures, which can affect the success of your kitchen endeavors. An oven or meat thermometer is key to having properly cooked meat that is safe to eat, and should be included in your pantry of cooking utensils.

• Mixing – no kitchen would be complete without a cadre of mixing bowls in its cooking utensils cupboard. Having a selection of bowls in assorted sizes is essential to fast, efficient cooking.

• Manipulating, poking, prodding, lifting and stirring – perhaps what most often comes to mind when you think of cooking utensils are implements used to move food: spoons, forks, knives, spatulas, wire whisks, pastry blenders, tongs, salad lifters, slotted spoons, wooden spoons, serving spoons and more.

By imagining the tasks you do every day in the kitchen, you will get a better idea of the cooking utensils you should consider purchasing. Think about every stage of the food preparation process, from storage and cleaning, to cooking and presenting.

Other useful cooking utensils: pastry brush, kitchen shears, rolling pin, salt shaker, pepper mill, cutting board, ramekins, flour sifter, rotary beater, ladles, juicer and a can opener. Cooking utensils come in a range of prices, quality and materials such as wood, metal, rubber and silicone. Regardless of how much you pay, always make sure any cooking utensils that have multiple pieces, fit together securely.
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Friday, February 26, 2010

Quality - Cooks Knives - A Cutting Edge Investment

Of all the tools and utensils used in the kitchen today, it is probably the knife that rewards the most careful selection. When you consider it, a knife is an extension of your hand. To fillet, slice and chop requires manual dexterity. If a knife allows you to move and handle your ingredients in a natural and easy way, this will add to your cooking enjoyment and mastery.


There are a wide variety of cooks knives available today. In addition to the quality traditional European brands such as Henckels, Wusthof and Sabatier, there is a fascinating array of Japanese and oriental brands, such as Global, I.O. Shen, Tojiro and Kai. These Japanese brands tend to be made of harder steel and have thinner blades. They hold their edge for longer and are sharper, making them ideal for precision and accuracy. However they do take longer to sharpen and maintain than their European counterparts, which are generally considered to be easier to look after, more sturdy and great for chopping for example.



But how do you choose which is right for you? First and foremost, you should consider the tasks that you perform most regularly and choose accordingly. Here are a couple of things that you may like to bear in mind:


Material: High carbon steel is generally considered the best performer, but can discolor with use, although this is purely cosmetic. High carbon stainless steel is a popular choice, will look great and will take and maintain a sharp edge. Stainless steel is generally less expensive, will retain its good looks but is not hard enough to maintain the best possible edge. Ceramic blades are so hard that they will maintain a sharp edge for months or years with little maintenance. However, they are more expensive to buy and may require diamond-sharpening.

Handles: The next material choice to consider is for the handle. Handles generally fall into three categories; wood, stainless steel or composition. Some chefs prefer the feel of wood although wood is not allowed in many commercial kitchens. Composition handles help ensure a safe grip on the knife when handling wet items, and are generally preferred over more slippery stainless steel. However, both are sanitary and virtually maintenance-free.

Types of knives: There are some tasks in the kitchen which, if performed regularly, warrant having a special knife for the job. However, there are three knives that will probably see the most wear and tear; a chef’s knife, a paring knife and a serrated knife.



A good chef’s knife will typically have a blade 6" - 12" long. It will be used for slicing, dicing, chopping and mincing. I can even be used for boning large cuts of meat if you do not have a cleaver. The side of the blade is great for crushing garlic etc.



A paring knife will have a 3-4" long blade and will be used for peeling and paring fruit and vegetables and for trimming where a larger blade would be cumbersome.



A serrated blade is used for cutting through bread, bagels, baguettes etc and should have a blade log enough to cut through a large loaf or a sandwich cake.



These three kitchen work-horses will serve you well and, if you’re on a tight budget, will serve most purposes.



If chosen wisely, a quality set of cooks knives will increase your cooking enjoyment and be a valuable investment for a long time to come.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Choosing A Quality Cookware Set

The role of good cook ware in the preparation of a sumptuous meal cannot be overemphasized. When one considers purchasing good cookware the first point that comes to the mind is the budget. Buying standard cookware within one’s budget and at the same time obtaining all the pieces and features one has in mind is no simple task. If you belong to the category of people who take cooking a bit seriously you need to mmspend some more time to look into the various aspects of a good cookware from the material from which it is made, to the number of pieces, features and the quality.

The first factor to be considered is the material in which the cookware is made. The first option is the stainless steel that is most popular, durable and convenient. It is also the most popular cookware material in North America being highly resistant against wear and tear and at the same time less expensive. It is also subject to criticism as the metals like iron, nickel, and chromium used in this alloy is said to create health hazards.

The other option for the home maker is the ceramic pottery, enamel or glass cookware. All these materials can be easily cleaned and are also heat resistant. The latest addition to this category is the plastic ware used for both cooking and storing. It has the advantage of being light weight, unbreakable and also being used in Micro wave ovens where other metals are not suitable. Cast iron cookware is normally pre coated with unsalted fat and heated to avoid rusting in the absence of porcelain coating.

The stainless cookware is to be washed in soapy water or warm ammonia with water solution. The cookware is to be rinsed and dried to obviate water spots in the cookware. Never one need use chlorine or alcohol instead only some mild cleaners. The copper cookware are to be cleaned by a commercial cleaner or a home made mixture of salt, flour citric acid, and ammonia if applied before washing would also serve the purpose. While copper cookware is highly expensive the stainless cookware with copper bottom is lesser costly. The copper bottom cookware does not spread the heat evenly and the bottom of the food gets heated faster and there are chances that the food at the bottom may get burned.

One need to buy a cookware that is less expensive, durable, and that distribute the heat evenly. Cooking pans with hot spots cooks at various speed at different spots and make cooking most unpleasant... The cookware made of cast iron, copper and aluminum may result in the food cooked to absorb the metal taste and sometimes even the metal content to get transferred to food. The fact remaining so, copper bowls are immensely useful in beating egg whites. Though aluminum is the least expensive it may cause reaction with certain type of food. If one chooses the Aluminum cookware the anodized is the best choice.

One need to remember that no cookware can be considered as the perfect and the most suitable for cooking on all occasions or for cooking of all types of foods. The ideal cookware depends on your budget, your cooking preferences and the food habits. However cookware made of stainless steel could be recommended as an ideal choice considering its price, economic life, easy cleaning, and less or no reaction with the food. No wonder it is also the most popular and sought after cookware in North America.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Basic Cookware Explained

What is All-Clad stainless steel cookware and why is it the best top-of-the-line bake ware you can buy? All-Clad cookware is made with a heavy aluminum inside which extends up the sides of the pan. It is coated with a stainless steel cooking surface and has an outside layer of magnetic stainless steel. This type of bake ware is ideal for cooking on a gas stove where the flames can burn up the sides of the pots and pans. These types of pots and pans are heavier than the less expensive kinds that you find at cheap discount stores. This cookware is extremely popular among the expert chefs, holds up well in high heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and it comes in a nonstick version as well.

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Maybe you like to do lots of browning. If so you may want to use uncoated or non coated cookware for your favorite recipes. A top brand of uncoated pots and pans are made by Wolfgang Puck. Chances are you will never see a review that will not give Wolfgang Puck high marks for its baking performance and price value. Uncoated bakeware has an aluminum plate as the foundation or base. It does not run up the side as does the All-Clad type which is a big reason why uncoated is less expensive.

Calphalon nonstick bakeware is a hard anodized aluminum bake ware with a nonstick coating. If you are looking for a cheaper brand that will perform almost as well as the more expensive ones this may be what you are searching for. Plus it is also lighter in weight than most All-Clad varieties or brands. It may require a little more energy on your part during cleanup though since most Calphalon nonstick pots and pans are not dishwasher safe. Another positive aspect to this type of cookware is that it can be used in your oven in temperatures up to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Similar to Calphalon, Emeril (Emerilware) is a high quality cookware that compares favorably to other top-of-the-line pots and pans and is a very good value for the money. Your favorite recipe will still taste delicious. Famous TV chef Emeril Lagasse has this line made by All-Clad which is similar to their hard anodized cookware. The major difference is the designs added to the pieces. This cookware is made of hard anodized aluminum with nonstick cooking surfaces. It is not recommended for the dishwasher, but comes with a lifetime warranty. That is something you do not see everyday.

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The debate about nonstick or uncoated has endured for many years, but which is actually better? Experts have always said that uncoated cookware gives better results, but nonstick has its advantages too. Fried eggs and pancakes are a couple of obvious examples of foods that are more fun to cook or bake on a nonstick surface. No more sticking to the pan during cooking or cleanup. Scraping cooked eggs off the pan is not one of the most enjoyable cooking activities. High quality nonstick skillets will contain a fully coated aluminum plate bonded with stainless steel allowing for even heat distribution. You can also find top brands that are dishwasher safe, although most manufacturers will recommend hand washing.

Starting with high quality cookware is a must if you are looking for the most enjoyable cooking experience. And before you can purchase the most ideal bakeware for your needs you have to ask yourself a few questions. How much can I afford? Will it bother me if they are not dishwasher safe? Do I want nonstick or uncoated? Would I prefer better cookware or easier cleanup? After answering these questions you will have a much better idea as to the type of cookware best suited for your personality.

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