Our essential cookware glossary you will need in your kitchen
2022-08-05
The Basics
Even if you don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, there are still a few items you should have. Start here when building out a kitchen from scratch.
Baking Sheets
Despite their name, these flat sheets are used for more than baking cookies. Available in half, quarter, and eighth sizes baking sheets are useful for roasting vegetables and making our favorite sheet-pan dinners. Get at least one good quality baking sheet with a rack and a silicone mat that fits it. The most versatile size is a half sheet and opt for stainless steel. It is more expensive than aluminum but will last longer, won’t warp, and cooks food more evenly.
Cast-iron Skillet
Cast iron skillet can be intimidating. They’re heavy, for one. Yet, they are super versatile pans that will last a lifetime. You can use a good yet inexpensive cast-iron skillet for everything from searing steak to sauteing vegetables to baking skillet cookies. Look for a 10 or 12-inch pan that is at least 1/8 inch thick.
Dutch Oven
As for as multipurpose cookware goes, a dutch oven might be the most versatile item around. You can use it for cooking hearty stews, chili, pastas,even braising large pieces of meat and baking bread. Opt for a 5-to-6 quart Dutch oven made of enameled cast iron.
Nonstick Fry Pan
A nonstick fry pan or skillet is useful for cooking eggs, fish, and other delicate foods. Price says he generally tells people to avoid nonstick but it is useful for a fry pan. Similar to other skillets, nonstick fry pans are available in several sizes. Look for one with a ceramic coating that is wither 10 or 12 inches.
Roasting Pan
If you lean towards plant-based dishes, you could skip this, otherwise a good roasting pan is a solid investment. Sturdy and practical, they are great for cooking large pieces of meat, such as a whole turkey or chicken, brisket, or pork loin. The sides of the pan are low enough to allow the meat to brown while retaining the flavorful cooking juices. A roasting pan’s size enables you to roast meat and vegetables together-and it can be transferred to the stove to make pan sauces(removing the meat and any vegetables first). You can use the pan to bake big-batch lasagnas or casseroles, too.
Straight-Sided Saute Pan
Are you a fan of one-pot dishes? You need a straight-sided skillet or saute pan. Wide, with a flat bottom, you can saute, toss pasta, and cook an entire meal in it-like our favorite One-Pan Pasta or Creamy Chicken with Mushrooms and Egg Noodles. Choose one that is also oven-safe and is 10 or 14 inches.
Even if you don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, there are still a few items you should have. Start here when building out a kitchen from scratch.
Baking Sheets
Despite their name, these flat sheets are used for more than baking cookies. Available in half, quarter, and eighth sizes baking sheets are useful for roasting vegetables and making our favorite sheet-pan dinners. Get at least one good quality baking sheet with a rack and a silicone mat that fits it. The most versatile size is a half sheet and opt for stainless steel. It is more expensive than aluminum but will last longer, won’t warp, and cooks food more evenly.
Cast-iron Skillet
Cast iron skillet can be intimidating. They’re heavy, for one. Yet, they are super versatile pans that will last a lifetime. You can use a good yet inexpensive cast-iron skillet for everything from searing steak to sauteing vegetables to baking skillet cookies. Look for a 10 or 12-inch pan that is at least 1/8 inch thick.
Dutch Oven
As for as multipurpose cookware goes, a dutch oven might be the most versatile item around. You can use it for cooking hearty stews, chili, pastas,even braising large pieces of meat and baking bread. Opt for a 5-to-6 quart Dutch oven made of enameled cast iron.
Nonstick Fry Pan
A nonstick fry pan or skillet is useful for cooking eggs, fish, and other delicate foods. Price says he generally tells people to avoid nonstick but it is useful for a fry pan. Similar to other skillets, nonstick fry pans are available in several sizes. Look for one with a ceramic coating that is wither 10 or 12 inches.
Roasting Pan
If you lean towards plant-based dishes, you could skip this, otherwise a good roasting pan is a solid investment. Sturdy and practical, they are great for cooking large pieces of meat, such as a whole turkey or chicken, brisket, or pork loin. The sides of the pan are low enough to allow the meat to brown while retaining the flavorful cooking juices. A roasting pan’s size enables you to roast meat and vegetables together-and it can be transferred to the stove to make pan sauces(removing the meat and any vegetables first). You can use the pan to bake big-batch lasagnas or casseroles, too.
Straight-Sided Saute Pan
Are you a fan of one-pot dishes? You need a straight-sided skillet or saute pan. Wide, with a flat bottom, you can saute, toss pasta, and cook an entire meal in it-like our favorite One-Pan Pasta or Creamy Chicken with Mushrooms and Egg Noodles. Choose one that is also oven-safe and is 10 or 14 inches.
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