Chapter 5: Kitchen and Pantry Makeover 83
cases, burn. When full, your pot or pan should have at least an inch of room
from the top to keep the food from splattering out. On the other end of the
spectrum, the food should fill at least a third of the pot. If you’re sautéing, the
bottom of the pan should be at least half covered.The quality of the pan is important, but which is better: coated or noncoated
pans? When shopping for pots and pans, you may notice the higher-end
cookware doesn’t have nonstick coatings. They don’t require coating
because the metals are infused in such a way that keeps the food from
sticking while cooking. Less-expensive (lower-quality) pans need a coating,
or food sticks. But every rule has exceptions, and in this case, it’s the omelet
pan. This is a 8-inch sauté pan in which eggs and only eggs are cooked. Both
high-end and lower quality omelet pans should have a nonstick coating.
Used this pan only for eggs, and store it with a small hand towel folded in the
middle to keep the surface protected.To keep your cookware cooking at its best, take good care of it. Don’t put it
in the dishwasher, because most dishwasher detergents are too harsh and
can harm the finish over time. Hand-wash the pots and pans and dry them
thoroughly before storing. If you stack or nest the cookware, put small towels
or paper towels between them to protect from nicks and scratches.Microwaving is a quick and easy way of cooking, but make sure the dishes
you use are microwave safe. The microwave cooks food differently than
standard stove tops, and the dishes are made in such a way to aid cooking
the food in the microwave. The glass needs to be tempered to keep from
shattering when the temperature adjusts, and the surfaces can’t have metal
pieces. In addition, microwave dishes are normally smaller in size, and they
have vents in the lids to allow steam to escape while keeping the food from
splattering all over the microwave.Vegetable steamers are a healthy way of cooking and are inexpensive to
purchase. Two versions are available. The first is a conventional steamer that
comes in three pieces. Water is boiled in a larger pot, and a smaller pot
perforated with holes holds the food and fits nestled inside the larger pot.
Steam seeps through the holes and steams the food, and a fitted lid helps
hold the steam in. The second version is an electric steamer. It works the
same way, but it’s self-contained and sits on your countertop.Gadgets
Kitchen gadgets make life easier, and the list below makes choosing the right
gadget a breeze:✓ Metal or plastic spatula: Also known as pancake turners, spatulas come
in many different sizes. Metal spatulas are more durable but can scratch
your pans. Plastic spatulas are a better choice to keep from scratching