Many recipes for bread and cakes is not difficult. Plum-Good Coffee Cake is a good example. The coffee cake is a good way to get more fruit servings to add to your diet for breakfast, brunch or a late night snack, and best of all, it’s easy to do.

For success, start collecting all the ingredients and equipment. Let the butter sit at room temperature until soft. This makes it easier to butter and sugar just take them up in the air and produces a soft, creamy mixture. Adding eggs to the cold cream butter and sugar and butter to harden and make the mixture curdle. To avoid this, take the eggs out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before you use them or put them in a bowl with warm water while assembling other ingredients.

Low speed mixer helps flour mixture flying in the air. Because the flower is about beating your cake hardening, beat just until batter is smooth. Use one rubber scraper or spoon half of the vegetables to add manually. Be careful to avoid crushing the plums.

In about a half hour from the moment you pop the dish into the oven, use a cake, you can proudly serve to family and friends. Nobody has to know how easy it was to bake!

Plum-Good Coffee Cake Recipe

1 (9 inch) pie or 8 servings

1 / 2 cup (1 stick) butter

softened

2 / 3 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 / 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie

spice

1 1 / 2 cups diced fresh plums

(Approximately 8 oz)

Icing,

optional

In small mixer bowl at medium speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Whisk eggs and vanilla until well blended. Pipes together flour, baking powder and spices. Add flour mixture and egg mixture. Beat on low speed until smooth. Fold in 3 / 4 cup of yolks. Pour in slightly greased 9-inch round cake pan or quiche pan. Top with the remaining plums.

Bake in preheated oven at 375 F until golden brown and top springs back when he gently touched with finger, about 30-35 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Cut into pieces. Serve hot or cold.

Nutrition information per serving of 1 / 8 recipe without sugar sprinkled: 283 calories, 15 g fat, 137 mg cholesterol, 210 mg sodium, 101 mg potassium, 33 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams protein and 10% or more of the RDI for vitamin A, riboflavin

A local curiosity. A Southern specialty. These are temptations in your intro listened to Louisiana oysters. But the mysterious oyster actually deter some home cooking.

What do oysters look like?

Oyster flesh is cream to pale brown with wavy edges and a silky texture. Avoid fluffy white oysters, which they filled with water. Oysters should not be floating, but packed no more than 10 percent liquid. Oysters are available in pints or quarts. The containers must be clean. Check for the government information requested: best-of-used date, the Interstate Shellfish permit #, weight, nutritional facts, and country of origin.

How Oysters smell?

Oysters have a clean ocean scent. Never buy oysters with a fragrance.

How much is a serving?

Louisiana oysters are available year round and range in size from season to season. Skinny oysters are as many as 30 to the pint. Medium or fat is 16-18 oysters per pint. Anyway, a pint is about three servings.

What do oysters taste?

American oyster, eastern oysters, the Gulf of Mexico oysters, oysters or Louisiana, as they have all the same animal. In reality there is only one oyster originally from the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

But like good wine, oysters subtle nuances in flavor depending on where they are grown. In a blind taste test by an independent researcher, selected consumer Louisiana oysters sold in the U.S. compared to other 85 percent of the time.

Traditional Louisiana Oyster (4 servings)

11 / 2 pints medium Louisiana oysters

1 / 2 cup shallots, diced

1 pint milk

2 tbsp. butter

Salt & pepper to taste

At high heat. Fried shallots in butter Stir the milk. Bring to a boil, then lower heat. Easy oysters. Simmer until oyster edges furl (3-5 minutes). Add salt and pepper. Serve with crackers.

Cook N Home 7 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set. “This is a nice looking little cookware set. For the price, they are better quality than I expected. However, there is one little caution I would like to add: The lid handles are not well sealed and so not only does dish water get stuck in the gap, but steam also can escape through there, raising the temperature of the handle to scalding temps AND if you then turn the lid slightly the hot water/steam can run over your hands.” Reviewed by Susan

Features

* Mirror polished stainless steel body
* Aluminium capsuled bottom
* Stay cool bakelite handle and knobs
* Tempered glass lid
* Dishwasher safe

T-Fal Ultimate Stainless-Steel Copper-Bottom 12-Piece Cookware Set. A beautiful choice for those looking to set up a first-time kitchen or to add to a growing repertoire, this 12-piece cookware set provides an array of essentials. It consists of an 8-inch saute pan, a 10-1/2-inch saute pan, a 1.1-quart covered saucepan, a 2.2-quart covered saucepan, a 3.2-quart covered saucepan, a 5-1/2-quart covered Dutch oven, and two handy tools–a spoon and a slotted turner.

The saute pans offer gently curved sides for flipping food or sliding an omelet or grilled cheese sandwich easily from the pan to a plate, and the saucepans come in handy for cooking breakfast oatmeal, heating up soup, or making marinara sauce. The included Dutch oven holds a heap of chili, chicken and rice, and other one-dish meals–start by browning meats or sauteing onions, then add liquid and other ingredients to finish on the stovetop or in the oven. Both the spoon and the turner come with hanging holes for convenient storage when not in use.

Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, each piece features a multi-layer stainless-steel base that encapsulates a thick-gauge aluminum core with a copper disc to distribute heat evenly, eliminate hot spots, and prevent warping. Long stainless-steel handles on the pots and pans are riveted for strength, ergonomically designed for comfort, and offer hanging holes for convenient storage.

The Dutch oven offers side loop handles for easy lifting and carrying. The cookware also provides glass lids that come with stainless-steel loop handles and that help trap in heat, moisture, and nutrients when cooking, plus make it possible to check on food at a glance without letting heat escape. Another thoughtful detail includes interior measuring marks that come etched into the wall of the pans. Suitable for induction cooking and oven-safe to 500 degrees F, the cookware cleans up easily by hand or in the dishwasher and carries a limited lifetime warranty.

Cuisinart GW-10 Greenware Eco-Friendly Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set. Greenware cookware – the latest innovation from Cuisinart – is the eco-friendly way for home cooks to make great meals! Our exclusive Cuisinart Ceramica ceramic-based nonstick technology is petroleum free and is applied at a temperature one-half that of conventional nonsticks.

This petroleum-free ceramic-based nonstick interior helps to conserve oil consumption. It’s also PTFE and PFOA-free for healthier cooking and the aluminum construction heats quickly and evenly, thus saving energy. More and more home cooks are going green …and so is Cuisinart cookware!

Features

* 8-inch omelet pan; 10-inch lidded fry pan; 1-1/2-, 2-1/2-quart lidded saucepans; 6-quart lidded Dutch oven; steamer insert
* Aluminum construction with petroleum-free interior/exterior and ceramic-based nonstick surface for quick cleanup
* Stay-cool riveted stainless-steel handles made from 70-percent recycled stainless steel
* Secure-fitting handled lids with see-through design helps keep in heat and moisture
* Oven and broiler safe; limited lifetime warranty; hand wash

KitchenAid 75826 Gourmet Essentials 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware Set. KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 10-piece cookware set includes a 1-, 2- and 3-quart covered saucepan, an 8-quart covered stockpot, and an 8- and 10-inch open French skillet. Product is made from the world’s best 18/10 stainless steel to provide exceptional luster and durability.

The brushed stainless steel exterior provides a professional look and easy to maintain surface. The base is constructed of a stainless steel base that fully encapsulates an aluminum disk. This provides excellent heat distribution and no hot spots. The cool grip handles are stainless steel shafts with silicone rubber inserts that are oven safe up to 400 degrees.

There’s something clean and pure about cookware that’s stainless steel inside and out. This stylishly finished version from KitchenAid’s Gourmet Essentials series features a brightly polished interior that discourages food from sticking, and a handsomely brushed exterior with a shiny band along the rim. Each pan is entirely constructed of premium 18/10 stainless steel, except for the encapsulated aluminum disk in the base (aluminum makes a superior conductor of heat), and the silicone grip encasing the handle. Even the tight-fitting lids are stainless steel. Each piece is oven-safe to 400 degrees F and is dishwasher-safe.

Whether you want to fry up pancakes for breakfast, warm soup for lunch, or feed chili to a crowd, this set more than accommodates your most typical cooking needs. The 1-, 2-, and 3-quart saucepans all come with lids, as does the large 8-quart stockpot. The 8- and 10-inch French skillets are nice and deep, great for poaching eggs or stir-frying veggies. Stainless steel cooks most efficiently at medium heat, and can be used to start a dish on the stovetop and finish it in the oven. An excellent value, the set is covered by a lifetime limited warranty against defects.

The time-honored tradition of fresh preserving meets modern style with the new Ball Collection Elite Stainless Steel Waterbath Canner. This sleek canner will match the decor of today’s kitchens, while delivering the superior performance and premium quality Ball Brand Fresh Preserving Products have provided for 125 years. This beautiful Collection Elite series waterbath canner will last for generations.

Durable 18/10 stainless steel and large 21-quart capacity delivers superior performance and premium quality features that home canners want. Triple layer base of thick aluminum fused between stainless steel provides even and efficient heat distribution. Also perfect for preparing additional kitchen creations beyond fresh preserving – such as soups, stews, seafood and more.

Features

* Tempered glass lid with steam vents allows for easy viewing of boiling water to ensure proper processing
* Newly designed chrome plated rack resists corrosion and prevents small jars from falling through rungs for safe use year after year
* Large 21-quart capacity to accommodate seven quart jars for large batch processing
* Compatible with all stove tops unlike waffle bottom canners
* Silicone covered handles ensure safe and easy handling

Cuisinart 77-10 Chef’s Classic Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set. Endorsed by none other than the legendary French chef Paul Bocuse (the only restaurateur in the world to be awarded the prestigious Michelin 3 Stars for over 36 consecutive years), Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic stainless cookware is high quality, yet affordable.

Unlike many lines of cookware, it can go in the dishwasher for clean up, yet the aluminum core within the base provides even and efficient heating. If you’ve been thinking of investing in a new set of pots and pans, you’d do well to consider Cuisinart Chef’s Classic. This set offers pieces in a useful range of size and function, and with the added value of set pricing.

Sautéing wild salmon and stirring a perfect risotto take on spiritual dimensions with this classic Cuisinart cookware. Made of professional quality stainless steel that won’t react with acidic foods, the pots and pans in this set feature solid cast handles, tight-fitting lids with drip-free rims, and a mirror finish that retains its brightness through dishwasher, freezer, broiler, and oven use up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.

For superior, even heating, an aluminum disk is encapsulated between two layers of stainless steel in each base. The set includes: 8- and 10-inch skillets, 1-1/2- and 3-quart covered saucepans, 3-1/2-quart covered sauté pan, and a 8-quart covered stockpot. Cuisinart covers the set with a limited lifetime warranty.

Elegant and contemporary, the Multiclad Pro line from Cuisinart consists of deluxe cookware for the professional home chef. The exteriors of the 18/10 stainless steel pots and pans feature a handsome brushed finish, while the interiors are mirror-polished for non-reactive, quick release of foods.

The tri-ply Heat Surround technology sandwiches an aluminum core in the base and side walls for superior, even heating. You’ll also find solid cast stainless-steel handles that stay cool on the stovetop, tight-fitting stainless-steel lids, and drip-free pouring rims. Each piece is oven-safe to 500 degrees F, and the pans are safe for broiler-use, too.

This fabulous set consists of basics and more. The 1-1/2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids take care of everything from oatmeal to béchamel sauce, and the veggie steamer insert with its own lid fits the larger saucepan. Also included are 8- and 10-inch open skillets that turn out perfect grilled cheese, hamburgers, and crepes; 3-1/2-quart covered sauté pan with a helper handle, great for braising meats and cooking fish fillets; and an 8-quart covered stockpot for stews and soups. Dishwasher-safe, this set has no coatings to flake off or plastic to melt, and will surely be passed down to the next generation. Cuisinart covers the Multiclad Pro set with a lifetime limited warranty against defects. –Ann Bieri

Ideal for small apartments or homes with limited space, this portable washing machine connects to a sink in just five easy steps with the included quick-connect sink adapter. The appliance features a 1-1/2-cubic-foot tub that can accommodate loads both large and small, plus an electronic control panel with an LED display for simple operation.

Choose from four wash cycles (soak, wash, rinse, or spin); four water-level settings (very low, low, medium, or high), depending on the size of the load; and six cycle programs (standard, heavy, gentle, quick wash, wash, or spin). It also provides a power “on/off” button, a “start/pause” button for starting or pausing the wash cycle, function indicator lights, a beep to signal the end of the cycle, and automatic shut-off after about 10 minutes.

Leveling legs make it possible to stabilize the unit even if it sits on uneven ground, and its see-through top lid allows for checking in on the wash cycle at a glance. To ensure safety, the unit will not operate with the lid open. Accessories include a power-cord clip, a water inlet hose, a drain-hose outlet plug, a gooseneck drain hook, a drain hose clamp, a lint filter, and a water filter–both filters can be removed for cleaning as needed.

The EdgeStar Portable Countertop Dishwasher (DWP40S) has the capacity to fit up to four standard place settings with the convenience of operating right on your countertop – saving more water than you would if you were to wash the dishes by hand and with no permanent installation, and more energy and space than with most other dishwashers.

At 18 1/2″ high, the DWP40S EdgeStar countertop dishwasher is low enough to fit under most cabinets, and the included quick connect faucet adapter makes hookup to almost any faucet simple. In addition, this EdgeStar countertop portable dishwasher boasts a stainless steel interior, a powerful spray arm, an included silverware basket, a rinse agent dispenser to minimize water spotting on dishes, an internal water heater with Saniwash option to heat water up to 158°F, and it accepts plates up to 11″ in diameter! This silver model with its sleek windowed door makes a stylish addition to any modern kitchen.

Features

* Stainless steel interior and spray arm for extended durability
* Dishrack and silverware basket included
* Up to 4 place setting capacity
* Quick connect adapter included for most kitchen faucets
* Easy-to-use mechanical controls

Haier HDC1804TW 4-Place-Setting Tabletop Dishwasher. The 4 Place Setting Counter Top Dishwasher by Haier is perfect for singles, couples, and small families who want a dishwasher that suits their needs. It easily fits under a standard kitchen cabinet and quick sink connect. The dishwasher also features three automatic wash cycles, which include heavy, normal, and gentle.

Some may love washing dishes by hand, but for those who don’t or have too busy of a schedule, this tabletop dishwasher offers exceptional time-saving convenience. The unit features a stainless-steel spray arm and tub that won’t chip, crack, or rust, and its spacious cavity can hold up to four place settings–perfect for apartments or smaller size kitchens.

Stand salad and dinner plates in the upright position, bowls at an angle, cups upside down along the upper tier, and silverware in the utensil basket. Then choose from three automatic wash cycles–heavy, normal, and gentle–by making a selection from the machine’s user-friendly electronic touch-pad controls.

Add soap–and it takes care of the rest. The dishwasher offers a quick sink-connect option or a fixed-installation option, and its compact design stores easily and out of the way in a standard-size kitchen cabinet when not in use, helping to keep those countertops clear for other daily tasks. Additional highlights include a heavy-duty removable lower rack, a convenient drain pump, and a high-quality filtration system. In a sleek, modern design and weighing about 50 pounds, the tabletop dishwasher measures 18-8/9 by 22-3/5 by 17-1/5 inches.

Coffee in the morning. Coffee at the office. Coffee in the afternoon or after dinner. Coffee consumption is a ritual of enormous proportion and that has feed the need for the ever faster and more efficient way to make the coffee.

Coffee makers have evolved like everything else in the world of technology. A simple filter over a pot of steamy water is ancient history. The coffee makers we find today do it all and do it better than ever before.

How Do You Take Your Coffee?

There are so many new kinds of coffees and ways to take it that you almost need an English to Coffee dictionary to interpret for you at the coffee shop. Even more revealing is the fact that many people want to have these exotic mixes and brews in their own homes to enjoy any time of day or night.

Home coffee makers don’t just make regular coffee. There are Espresso Maker machine and Cappuccino Makers that make what one could only find at a nice restaurant a decade or two ago. Now these machines at home can grind fresh beans into the perfect recipe and dispense the perfect cup.

The Machines Behind the Madness

Coffee makers are machines of fine craftsmanship and technological wonders all blended into one. The build-in grinder for example, allows you to have a freshly ground cup that is strong and flavourful without having to grind it at the grocery store or specialty shop. Each cup has its own freshly ground beans. Bunn is one such manufacturer of the combination coffee maker.

The espresso machine or cappuccino maker can add milk at just the right time and temperature so the art of making it yourself is easy to master. (Your guests need never know you didn’t figure it out on your own.)

Today’s kitchen is rendered almost obsolete if it doesn’t contain one of the latest coffee makers. The single cup coffee maker is a growing trend as people are trying to cut down on the caffeine. The single cup maker is also ideal if there is only one coffee drinker in the house or if you usually take your coffee at the office.

Let’s Talk Beans

Part of what makes a great cup of coffee is the beans. The other part is how well the coffee maker can accurately blend that perfect balance between water and coffee grounds. Most of the world’s coffee is grown in a belt consisting of a latitude around central America and around the globe through Africa and Asia. It is this climate that gives the beans the right conditions and perfect growing season so beans can be naturally brought to ripeness.

The next step is the roasting of the beans. The methods vary, but the goal is the same. The idea is to roast the beans to the point they are the most flavourful and aromatic.

Of all the drinks to come and go, coffee remains internationally neutral and has proven a staple of homes world wide for generations. The only difference is in how simply and skilfully it is made. The coffee makers behind the beans have taken coffee making to an art form.

Could there be anything better than a hot, fresh brewed cup of coffee? As you open that can of pre-ground Maxwell House Coffee, did you even know that coffee comes in different roasts? Did you know that you can roast your own coffee beans at home? If you think that the aroma of your fresh ground coffee beans can’t be beat, get a home coffee roaster, you’ll be in Java Heaven.

Roasting the coffee beans is what imparts flavor. Similar to the making of a fine wine or a hand rolled cigar, some consider the roasting of coffee beans as an art. Those that describe coffee use some of the same vocabulary they use to describe wine. Depending on the roast level chosen the beans take on different flavor characteristics. The lighter the coffee bean the less flavor it will have, the darker the coffee bean the stronger the flavor it will have.

There are generally four different categories of roast. A light roast (American) , a medium roast (Breakfast), a dark roast (French), and darkest roast (Italian or espresso). Each type of roast imparts a different appearance to the coffee beans.

When a coffee bean is roasted to an American roast the beans will have a very light color to them and they will appear dry. A medium roasted bean, or Breakfast roast will have a rich brown color and will be oily in appearance. A French roasted coffee bean will have a very oily appearance with the beans appearing very dark brown. The darkest roasted beans or Espresso beans will appear black.

Coffee roasting can easily be done in your home. Depending on the roast that you desire you can roast coffee in five to fifteen minutes. Green beans are available online from a number of sellers, as are coffee roasters. Choose different types of green coffees to sample. Drum roasters are very popular for use in the home. It’s best to consider purchasing a roaster as it will give you the most consistent finish to your beans. Some try to roast beans in frying pans, some use hot air popcorn poppers. While each of these techniques will work, as mentioned above they don’t give a consistent finish to all the beans and you will most likely be disappointed in the result.

The allure of exotic spices launched Columbus on his journey of discovery. Today, home chefs can explore new taste sensations by using spices and other flavorful ingredients to add a new world of flavor to fresh fish and seafood.

“There’s nothing like the fresh flavors of herbs and spices for cutting unhealthy calories without sacrificing taste,” said Red Lobster Executive Chef Michael LaDuke, who offers the following simple tips for enhancing the natural flavor of fresh fish and seafood:

World of Flavors: An easy recipe that turns fresh fish into an exotic dish is topping tilapia with a mixture of soy sauce, lime juice, orange juice, fresh ginger, garlic and cilantro. To produce a richer flavor, make the soy sauce mixture at least 24 hours in advance and refrigerate the sauce overnight. Serve the sauce at room temperature or slightly warmed. With its sweet, mild taste and firm, flaky texture, tilapia will soak up the flavors and take on a deliciously Asian flair.

If you prefer a delicately flavorful fish such as halibut, complement its medium-to-firm texture with bold spice blends such as curry or chili.

Healthy Oils: The key to making flavorful oils for a simply elegant and heart-healthy meal is to add herbs and spices, such as basil, garlic, salt and pepper, to olive oil over a low heat on the stove, similar to making tea. This allows you to adjust the intensity of the flavor. After heating the olive oil, strain the mixture and remove the herbs and spices. For a special touch, place the olive oil on your table surrounded by sprigs of the fresh herbs and spices.

Be adventurous! Add a variety of flavorful herbs and spices to your oil mixture, such as exotic peppers, chives, dill, lemongrass or mint. If you serve olive oil over salmon, you’ll also enjoy the heart-health benefits of essential omega-3 fatty acids found in this delicious fish.

Cooking With Wine: Wine is not only good for drinking, it’s also great for cooking. Pour white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, over a firm white fish like mahi-mahi and season it with chili powder to intensify the flavor. Mahi-mahi is light enough to bring out the crisp citrus taste of this popular wine. But remember, your sauce will be only as good as the wine you choose, so always cook with a wine you enjoy drinking.

Adding Some Zest: Add the tangy flavor of citrus by generously squeezing lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit juices over your favorite fish or seafood and garnishing with freshly grated zest. When using fruit zests as a garnish, it is best to slightly poach them beforehand in sugar water, as raw zests can taste bitter.

For quick, tasty meals, make a citrus butter ahead of time by combining melted butter and citrus juices, cooling the mixture and storing it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Citrus juices mixed with melted butter also make great dipping sauces for succulent lobster and shrimp.

Studies show eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon, at least twice a week is good for the heart. Using an array of herbs and spices offers endless opportunities to bring out the best in all varieties of fresh fish and seafood.

Red Lobster serves guests fresh fish entrees with bold flavors, savory seafood dishes that include shrimp, crab and scallops, as well as the company’s signature, live Maine lobster.

One of the most reliable of the kitchen appliances is the toaster oven. With a toaster oven you can prepare anything from a piece of toast to a full meal. A toaster oven works on the same principle as a standard toaster except that the heating elements are horizontal and the appliance has a glass door. Toaster ovens are considered dual purpose appliances because they can perform the functions of a toaster as well as an oven.

A toaster oven is a popular choice for many people. For busy singles that tend to eat out more than in, a toaster oven is a wonderful addition to their kitchen. It’s compact enough to fit into any size space and it can be used to cook a fast and easy dinner for one.

Many parents also give their children a toaster oven to use in their college dormitory. It’s perfect for preparing small meals and with the addition of a hot plate the parent feels confident that their child will eat healthy at least part of the time.

If you’re looking to purchase a toaster oven you can find them at almost every major retailer. The prices vary depending on the size and the features you want. The very basic toaster oven available has several heat settings that you can use depending on what you are cooking. Even the standard model of toaster oven comes with a broiling tray. They generally also have a heat indicator light so you can judge when the oven has pre-heated to the desired temperature.

The smallest toaster oven will claim a capacity of four slices. This is referring to the fact that four regular pieces of bread will fit within the oven. The sizes graduate from there. For a family it’s wise to consider purchasing a larger toaster oven. Some of the larger toaster ovens can even accommodate a twelve inch pizza.

A recent feature that you can now find on a toaster oven is a digital control panel. For many years you could only purchase a toaster oven that had a manual control. This meant that you’d have to adjust the temperature dial repeatedly to find the exact right heat setting for your particular item.

With the advent of the digital control a toaster oven can now do many additional tasks. They don’t just bake or toast, but a toaster oven can also defrost and brown items. In addition they still make great compact broilers. It’s much more energy efficient to use a toaster oven broiler in comparison to heating the broiler of your standard oven.

The same can be said for cooking other items. If you are planning on baking something small it’s advisable to use the toaster oven. When you turn on your traditional oven you are paying to heat the entire oven compartment. In many cases this is a very large space. It’s preferable to heat the smaller toaster oven. It’s also quicker. The toaster oven will heat at a much faster pace than the traditional oven does.

A toaster oven is a convenient and economical way to cook. They also make wonderful wedding, birthday and holiday gifts.

Pots and pans make the most essential part of your cookware. There are lots of various types available for each particular cooking method or a few different methods.

Skillet/frying pan has a flat bottom with short sides that are flared or sloped, which makes it easier to toss and turn food with a spatula. The pan is usually made of a responsive to heat material such as lined copper, stainless steel with a copper or aluminum core, anodized aluminum or cast iron. Non-stick surface is also popular in such pans. They are available in different sizes and generally come with a cover.

Roasting pan is usually of a rectangular shape with low sides allowing the heat from the oven to expose the entire surface of the meat. Roasting pan is generally used with a rack to prevent the meat from sitting in its own juices and stewing instead of browning. The pans are available made of different materials including stainless steel, aluminum with non-stick surface, clay and granite.

Saucepan is a round pot with high straight sides and a flat bottom, can be used for several purposes, such as cooking soup, stewing vegetables, making sauces. There are a few styles to suit special purposes. A saucepan known as a Windsor has sides that flare out and another known as a saucier has sides that are rounded. There are also different sizes and materials of saucepans. Most of them have a snug fitting cover.

Stir-fry pan is a round, deep pan that may have straight sides with a slightly rounded base or more commonly a round base that slopes out and upward. Sizes and handle length can vary to match the cooking process. Heat is evenly distributed across the base while the sloping sides make it easier to stir and turn the ingredients.

Wok is a bowl shaped version of stir-fry pan, best for quick cooking food over high heat. It is available with rounded or flat bottom. Some varieties of woks have one long handle, some have two short handles and others have a long handle on one side and a short one on the opposite side. The materials used are carbon steel, cast iron, and metals with non-stick coating.

Stockpot is a deep, tall, straight-sided pot with two big, loop handles. It is used for simmering large amount of liquid, such as stock, soup and stews, but also works well for thick soups, chili and for boiling pasta. Sometimes comes along with pasta insert – made of stainless steel perforated insert that fits inside a stockpot and acts as a colander for draining pasta.

Grill pan is a heavy metal pan that consists of ridges spaced evenly across the bottom, that closely simulate the grilling process when cooking various meats and foods. Can be with shallow sides or with deeper sides similar to a frying pan. Many grill pans are made of cast iron and are available in different shapes and sizes.

Double boiler consists of two pans – one inside of the other. The bottom pan contains hot water and the top pan holds the ingredients that are being cooked. Generally used for making delicate sauces that have a tendency to separate if cooked on direct heat. Double boilers can be made of stainless steel, enameled steel, glass and aluminum.

Fondue pot is a type of cookware that consists of a pot with a heat source such as a portable cooking fuel or an electrical heating element placed directly below the pot that is used for a food preparation process known as fondues (“fondue” is a French term meaning “to melt”). The heat source melts or fully warms the contents (usually cheese, chocolate, wine or other ingredients) so that food can be dipped into the pot and either cooked or coated with its contents and eaten as an appetizer or part of a meal.

Black & Decker Rice Cooker. Enjoy up to 6 cups of perfectly cooked rice in the Black & Decker RC3406. The non-stick pot and tempered glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. When cooking is done, the unit automatically switches from cook to warm. In addition to cooking rice, you can also steam vegetables in the included plastic steamer basket. You’ll enjoy the convenience of the included rice scoop and measuring cup. Makes 6-Cups of cooked rice from up to 3 cups of dry rice.

With the press of a lever, this electric rice cooker makes up to 6 cups of cooked rice–perfect for individuals or small families. Simply add virtually any type of dry rice, measure in the water, and turn the unit on. The cooker’s tempered glass lid with a steam vent keeps in heat and moisture and allows for checking on food at a glance, while its automatic keep-warm mode maintains an ideal serving temperature without over-cooking.

Other highlights include a stay-cool lid handle and side handles, “cook” and “warm” indicator lights, and a nonstick inner cooking pot that removes for easy cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher. Accessories include a measuring cup, rice paddle, and instruction manual. The rice cooker measures approximately 8-2/3 by 8-2/3 by 7-2/5 inches.

Panasonic SRG06FG 3.3-Cup Automatic Rice Cooker. Fully automatic rice cooker/steamer makes up to 6.6 cups of cooked rice, Tempered glass lid allows for monitoring food while it’s cooking; auto shut-off, Non-stick coated pan helps prevent cooked rice from sticking; stay-cool handles, included.

Panasonic Automatic Rice Cooker Features

* Automatic Rice Cooker
* Automatic Shut-Off
* Keep Warm Function
* Non-Stick Interior
* Includes Glass Lid

Aroma ARC-838TC 8-Cup Digital Cool-Touch Rice Cooker. Prepare entire meals, large or small, in one easy step. This digital rice cooker flawlessly prepares up to 16 cooked cups of any type of rice and will simultaneously steam meat and vegetables. It has a cool-touch exterior and an easy-to-use, programmable control panel that includes functions such as automatic warming and delay timer.

The removable heavy-duty inner pot is non-stick for easy serving and cleanup. Includes measuring cup, steam tray and rice paddle. Uses approximately 8 cups of uncooked rice to prepare 16 cups of cooked rice.

Take the guesswork out of making restaurant-quality rice at home with this easy-to-use appliance. The 8-cup rice cooker prepares 4 to 16 cups of perfectly cooked rice at a time–great when gathering the family or a group of friends for dinner. Simply add dry rice, measure in the water, and turn the unit on with a press of the button. Once the rice has cooked, the appliance automatically switches over to “keep warm” mode, which maintains an ideal serving temperature without over-cooking for up to 12 hours.

More than just a rice cooker, the appliance can also be used to heat soups and stews or steam meat and vegetables while simultaneously cooking rice for convenient one-pot meals. The unit’s lid locks in heat, moisture, and flavor, and its nonstick removable inner pot ensures effortless food release and quick cleanup. Even more, the programmable unit offers a user-friendly control panel with a digital LED display that makes it easy to set the 15-hour delay timer.

Other highlights include a steam vent, a condensation collector, “cook” and “warm” indicator lights, a cool-touch exterior, and an easy-open hinged lid with a carrying handle for convenient transport. A measuring cup, steam tray, and rice paddle come included. The rice cooker measures approximately 12 by 12 by 11 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.