What kinds of pots and pans do you use and why do you like them? - Page 2

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by LindaCl

All-clad. I think they come in three 'outer' surface choices, and I wouldn't recommend the copper. The results aren't any different, but they're more trouble to take care of. All-clad give you the perfect even heating with the dream-to-clean stainless. They're so durable, your grandchildren will probably enjoy them someday. (My husband does most of the cooking--I'm just a dabbler in the kitchen, but even I can tell the difference with this cookware.)

Years ago we tried the calphon but weren't that pleased.

agree

Have had them for almost 10 years now love em.

LeCrueset- have those too and love em. I have two smaller cast iron and a very large cast iron. Bought one in France and it wasnt avail in the states at the time. Bought it for about $70 but here, its $380. Go figure. Kind of like dh's mephisoto shoes he buys over there.

I love making up stew and throwing the whole thing in the oven to cook in the lecreuset. My FIL always says it tastes like his mothers did when she made stew. I thought my dh and mil would have a heart attack when he said that.

I have a capholan wok and griddle. They work fine but its not the same relationship I have with my all clads and caplahan

[rebeccalizzie]

Originally Posted by eloquence

Rebecca
Okay you are helping me immensely. So if I get another frying pan, a 12 inch saute pan would be a good idea. Can I fry eggs in that as well?

I never thought of putting this stock pot in the oven. Its pretty thin stainless and I use it pretty much for brining my turkey or cooking copious amounts.

Hmm...I may have to get a roaster. Darn, I am trying not to get too much But I could also make large amounts of spinach lasagna or caserole in the same roaster pan that I use for turkey.

Thanks for thinking this through with me everyone.

Would stil love more feedback and thoughts though so don't think I am done or decided.

I make eggs in my 12 inch, it works fine. If we're just making one or two eggs though, the 7 inch works better for us because it keeps them from running all over the pan.

Yeah, I don't know if that would work with your huge stock pot. Mine is really like a Dutch oven--it's not huge like that, and it's heavy stainless. The only things I really use it for are pot roast and stews and stuff like that, though, so if you already have a method you are happy with you may not need something like that.

I do think a roasting pan sounds good for you. You mention wanting to be able to roast a turkey in it, and it would be very versatile to roast any other large cut of meat as well. And yes, you can definitely make a big lasagna in it, or any other big casserole.

[LindaCl]

Originally Posted by eloquence

Hmm...I may have to get a roaster. Darn, I am trying not to get too much

To accomodate the turkey? How often do you roast a turkey?

We have two Le Creuset pots...one 12" round dutch oven, and the 9 qt oval (omg!! my husband, the master cook, bought these and until I just looked now, I had no idea how much they cost). They're fantastic, but of course too small for a turkey. We also have a large roasting pan (with Wm Sonoma name on it--don't know who makes it). I honestly don't know that we really need it--there have been some Thanksgivings when my dh wanted the roasting pan for something else and he cooked the turkey in a $3 throw-away that you can get in the grocery store. It tastes just as good to me . On the other hand, the two dutch ovens are used A Lot.


Slightly off topic digression re copper -- my dh and many of our friends are super serious 'foodies'. We were at dinner with them one evening, and the conversation turned to Julia Child. It was so funny--one after the other they each confessed that they immediately ran out to buy themselves a round bottom copper bowl after seeing her very first episode. Topic--"How to Make an Omelet". I get the impression that there's a huge 'foodie' movement building to have Julia Child canonized.

[eloquence]

That is a great story. And you know, it may just be that a copper mixing bowl would fluff up the eggs enough for an omelet. Then you could pour the mixute in a hot stainless pan. Aha.

Linda- Is the 9 quart oval big? It sounds great for a pheasant or other smaller bird.

Hey can someone share a stew or cassoulet recipe that they love with me once I get the dutch oven? I think I'll use this credit to get a dutch oven and the cheapest 12 inch pan i can get. I might just luck out and find some in their clearance section online.

THIS HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you.

[ian'smommaya]

Originally Posted by LindaCl

We have two Le Creuset pots...one 12" round dutch oven, and the 9 qt oval (omg!! my husband, the master cook, bought these and until I just looked now, I had no idea how much they cost). They're fantastic, but of course too small for a turkey.

thats why i was so excited about getting mine for 6 dollars, i couldnt believe the deal. i knew they were expensive but then i looked holy cow.

mine fits a chicken but not a turkey, how often do i cook a turkey? almost never. julia childs should be cannoized, i totally agree.

[LindaCl]

The larger oval dutch oven seems to be about 14 inches long and 6 inches high. Without using the lid, I'm confident it could hold a big roast and pretty good size birds, but it's too small for the average size turkey.

Originally Posted by ian'smommaya

thats why i was so excited about getting mine for 6 dollars, i couldnt believe the deal. i knew they were expensive but then i looked holy cow.

I wish I hadn't looked . I actually managed to break the first one he bought. It was the round 12", and a square baking dish somehow got stuck in it. I tried everything to get it out, and finally thought I'd turn it upside-down and give it a sharp 'whack' to loosen it. BAD IDEA! It knocked a large half-moon shaped section clean off. And for all these years since, I've been spared knowing how much that stupid idea cost us.

[eloquence]

Do you still have it? Le Creuset may just replace it for you. Try it. Ihear their return policy is tremendous.