Best Stainless Steel Cookware

We have a winner!

We found what we think is the best stainless steel cookware set on the market

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Best Non-Stick Cookware Set

For Lovers of non-stick cookware

This non-stick cookware set is excellent value for money and we rate it highly

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Best Dutch Oven Overall For Quality and Color

This will be no surprise

There is no doubt about it, we had to rate the as our number 1 choice for Dutch Ovens.

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Blog of the Week – Chasing Tomatoes

Monday, September 26th, 2011 at 10:18 pm  
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I have been doing what I love best, perusing the internet looking for interesting blogs when  I came across ‘Notes from the Cookie Jar’.

This blog has lots of interesting information  – in fact it was the first post I came across entitled Parents Bullying Survival Guide, that led me to investigate further into the blog. Lots of really good reading about a variety of subjects.

This led me to another blog also owned by ‘Scattered Mom’, named ‘Chasing Tomatoes’.

And here I found recipes to truly whet the appetite.

The very first image of the Maple Ginger Glaze Salmon drew me in. Being a lover of Salmon,  I am always on the lookout for interesting sauces to try out with it. But the intriguing part of this recipe is not only the yummy sauce but the novelty of cooking the salmon on a cedar plank. Scattered Mom states that using a cedar plank to cook the salmon on is generally something you would do on a barbecue, however she has adapted the recipe so that you can cook it using the plank in the oven.

Another yummy recipe is the Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins these look and sound delicious. The food photos on  Chasing Tomatoes really invite you to get into the kitchen and start cooking.

We are always looking for healthy alternatives to eating and followed Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution shows plus his 30 minute meals program. Everything Jamie does is aimed at promoting healthy eating habits by using fresh produce.

Well Scattered Mom is part of the Jamie Oliver Food Revolution, rating a mention from Jamie Oliver on Twitter and a mention in his newsletter video for Food Revolution Fridays and Food Revolution Road Trip.

Believe me, you will find lots to interest you on both blogs. And you can join Jamie Oliver’s food revolution and set your family on the path to better health through healthy eating.


 

 

VAPO-SEAL™ 7 Ply Surgical Stainless Steel Waterless Cookware

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 at 6:52 pm  
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A Guest Post provided by Discover Waterless Cooking

Vapo-SealTM 7 Ply Stainless Steel Waterless CookwareWaterless cookware has been around since the 1950’s but not everyone has heard about this unique product. For many years it has only been sold on demonstrations at a very high price. Waterless and greaseless cooking is a much healthier cooking method than traditional cooking. Meals are quick and easy and the food is more flavorful.

Vapo-Seal brand is a top of the line high quality waterless cookware. The quality and performance of the Vapo-Seal surgical steel cookware is also comparable to All-Clad and other top of the line stainless steel brands but with added features and a lower price.

Vapo Seal 7 Ply ConstructionVapo-Seal is 7 ply. The inside and outside layers consist of stainless steel. Sandwiched between the stainless steel is aluminum and carbon steel which allows for fast even heat conduction that won’t burn easily. The T304 surgical steel cooking surface is non porous and resist corrosion and does not stick as easily as other types of stainless steel. It is also easy to clean and keeps its shine for a lifetime.

There are many unique features of this cookware. The most unique feature is the design of the lids. The lids are made to fit the pan so that all the heat and moisture is contained with a vapor/water seal. This feature allows you to cook with little to no water or grease and at a lower temperature setting. Cooking is fast and the food retains more of it’s vitamins, minerals and natural flavor. Another feature is the heat resistant handles. They don’t get hot to the touch and are oven safe to 350 degrees. This cookware is also compatible with induction ranges.

Vapo-Seal waterless cookware sets comes with a cookbook and instructions on how to cook water-less and greaseless and a bottle of stainless steel cleaner. It is dishwasher safe and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

A complete set of Vapo-Seal is priced under $400 compared with up to $2,500 for a demonstrated waterless cookware set. This makes Vapo-Seal an affordable choice with all the value and features of the higher priced brands.

Wanda’s Note: why not try the health benefits of waterless cookware for yourself. Cook low fat meats without the addition of grease and oil. Serve up tasty vegetables cooked with the minimum of moisture so that you retain all the flavor and goodness.

For more information about the benefits of waterless cooking using the Vapo-seal waterless Cookware visit Discover Waterless Cooking

Finding the Right Cookware

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 at 8:28 pm  
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One of the most essential factors when finding the right cookware is to understand the importance of quality.

Cheap cookware, more often than not, proves to be a false economy. The cooking results themselves can suffer and the pots and pans are often easily scratched and marked. Cheaper trays and dishes are prone to cracking, leading you to buy a replacement quite quickly. So quality is very important, however with so many quality ranges available it`s hard to choose between them.

Before you even start looking for your new cookware you need to think about what you really want from your kitchen equipment. How many people do you cook for, just yourself, you and a partner, a family, perhaps even professional catering on a large scale? The answer to this will affect the size and amount of dishes, pots and pans you need. The size of your kitchen and cupboards should also be a factor in the size of cookware you purchase.

If you cook on an industrial scale then you need hard-wearing cookware, where function overrides beauty. For those who regularly entertain at home you will be looking for cookware that not only functions well in the kitchen but can also look good when laid on the dining table. This is particularly important for lasagne dishes, casserole dishes and roasting trays which are often placed mid centre on a table to be served there.

There are also a myriad of materials found throughout the cookware market range. Most people tend to cook with good old time tested metals- stainless steel, copper, aluminium or cast iron. Different metals have differing benefits, cast iron, for example is extremely durable and conducts heat well but is prone to rust and can be very heavy. Aluminium offers excellent heat conduction but can be damaged easily. Copper can react with acidic foods compromising on taste but it also offers great heat conduction. Stainless steel on the other hand is easy to maintain and doesn’t react with foods, but it isn’t the best heat conductor.

Ceramic cookware is very popular and can look great on a table. Ceramics often come in a range of colours which is great for fun loving chefs. Cooking a casserole in the oven and transporting it straight to the dining table is an increasingly popular way to eat.

Finding cookware requires a little bit of research and a lot of thought, including setting a realistic budget. But once you have worked out what it is you need from your cookware in terms of size and material, you can start looking at the different sets which are available. Whether you are looking for a set for the home or a good set of catering equipment, there are many terrific options. A good cookware range should feel natural to cook with and last a generation; and you`ll just know when it`s `the one`.

How To Keep Eating Well If You’re On a Budget

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 at 7:03 pm  
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What to Keep Up

For families who have decided to buy healthy snacks, produce and whole grain costs may seem incredibly high. However, eating healthy snack instead of snack high in sugar is a natural way to boost energy and to curb and unhealthy appetite. Though healthier foods may be more expensive, they help to keep both adults and children fuller for longer, reducing the frequency with which such snacks are purchased and ultimately saving families money and supplementary energy boosters and appetite reducers. Eating healthy snacks also helps the body to feel more active. This results in increased activity and reduces the risk for heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and other diseases which cost a lot in bills and healthcare.

What to Add

Buying healthy food in bulk is a great idea for a large family. It’s a quick and easy way to make healthy choices, and lots of them, all at once. For those with smaller families, it is important not to over purchase quantities of food. Though it may seem smart cost wise, much of the food will be unusable before smaller families get around to preparing it. Also, families should try to add homemade recipes to menus. By involving the entire family in meal selections, children often feel more included and enthusiastic about healthy food options, thus eliminating food waste.

What to Cut Out

Though some fruits and veggies may be favorites, it’s a good idea to cut out those options that are more expensive in favor of cheaper options. For example, if a family member enjoys eating fresh cherries, but they are much more expensive than grapes, it may be a great idea to settle for the less appealing but still healthy and satisfying alternative. Also, simply by resisting the urge to buy by brand and by actually checking nutritional content and with prices, families can cut down on unnecessarily wasted money. Also, by eliminating unhealthy juices and beverages from diets, and by increasing the amount of water and fruits that are ingested, families can reduce sugar intake and save even more money.

What to Tweak

Many shudder at the thought, but leftovers are actually a great way to reduce food costs and to keep up a healthy, balanced diet. Often, families opt for fast food and other unhealthy options because of time limitations. By reducing homemade meal frequency to just a few times a week and making enough for leftovers, families can still eat healthy food without feeling rushed or pressed for time because of the need to prepare new ingredients. Reheating food also decreases the necessity for going out for lunch during work and school hours, thus leaving more room in the grocery budget for healthy options.

This article was written by Jane Sanders from DebtManagement.net. Visit her site for more advice on choosing the right debt management company.

 

 

Low Calorie Cooking with 360 Cookware Vapor Technology

Sunday, March 27th, 2011 at 5:59 pm  
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360 9pc Cookware Set

Low Calorie Cooking Technology!

360 Cookware is a line of high performance,
stainless steel cookware that promises to handle all of your traditional recipes beautifully while also providing the opportunity of cooking with fewer calories by eliminating the need for fats, oils or extra water.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, the secret behind 360 Cookware is a vapor seal that creates a low but intense heat that permeates food evenly from all sides. The specially-designed lid can be engaged to create a floating seal, surrounding food with even, controlled heat from 360 degrees, locking in flavor, texture and nutrients, all without excess fats or water.

After steam starts to escape from food, you spin the lid and the seal is engaged. The vapor technology cooks food faster and on a lower heat setting so it uses less energy than traditional stainless steel cookware. The heat is so well distributed that you can bake a cake on the stove top! Food even tastes better and is more nutritious because the low heat doesn’t destroy vital nutrients and texture.

And you can feel good about purchasing green cookware that is “Made in the USA.” Not only does 360 Cookware use less energy, it is also manufactured at the greenest cookware manufacturing plant in the country.

360 Cookware is made of multiple layers of high-grade metals including interior layers of bonded aluminum that are carried up the sides and throughout the lip of the pan. All 360 Cookware is encased in surgical grade, non-leaching 8/10 T-304 stainless steel, so food does not come into contact with soft metals, non-stick coatings or other potentially-hazardous elements. Each model is constructed with an ergonomic, stay-cool handle, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

An added benefit of the vapor technology is the ability to cook healthy, one pot dishes. They have plenty of healthy recipes featured on their website, so we tested out the Tilapia with Fresh Salsa, Corn and Baby Spinach. The entire meal took about 20 minutes to prepare and the fish came out to light and flaky perfection!

360 Cookware – Tilapia With Fresh Salsa

Tilapia with Fresh Salsa, Corn and Baby Spinach Recipe

16 ounces best quality fresh salsa
4 cups lightly packed baby spinach
10.5 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 ears corn, shucked, kernels cut from cobs (about 1 ½ cups)
4 skinless tilapia fillets
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Smoked paprika
1 lime, cut into wedges

  • Pour the salsa into the stainless steel 3.5 Quart Sauté Pan.

  • Sprinkle the spinach over the salsa in an even layer, and lightly season it with a little salt. Sprinkle the black beans and corn evenly over the spinach.

  • Season the fish fillets with salt and pepper. Lightly sprinkle the fish with smoked paprika. Arrange the fillets in a single layer over the vegetable mixture.

  • Cover the skillet and cook over medium heat until steam just begins to escape from the lid, about 5 minutes.

  • Spin the lid to engage the vapor seal then reduce the heat to low. Cook the fish for 2 minutes then immediately remove the pan from the heat. Let stand off-heat for about 5 minutes until the fish is just cooked through. (It should flake easily with a fork.)

  • To Serve use a spatula to divide the fish, vegetables, and sauce among 4 plates. Serve with lime wedges.

It may seem odd to let partially cooked fish stand off heat to cook but trust us, the multi-layered construction and heat retention create convection oven-like heat, so the fish comes out flawlessly. Can’t wait to try baking a potato on the stovetop!

 

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