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Knowledge of Basic Cooking Terms
Boil: To heat liquid until bubbles burst to the surface, or to cook in boiling water. Broil: To use direct heat to cook. Coat: To cover entire surface with a mixture, such as flour or bread crumbs. Core: Using a sharp knife, remove the core/seeds of a fruit. Cream: To whisk one or more foods until they are soft. Crisp-tender: Describes the “doneness” of vegetables when they are cooked only until tender and remain slightly crisp in texture. Cut in: To mix fat into dry ingredients using a pastry blender, fork or two knives, with as little blending as possible until fat is in small pieces. Dice: To cut into small, square-shaped pieces. Darin: To put food and liquid into a strainer, or to pour liquid out of a pot by holding the lid slightly away from the edge of the pan and pouring away from you. Flute: To pinch the edge of dough, such as on a pie crust. Fold: To mix by turning over and over. Fork-tender: Describes the “doneness” of a food when a fork can be easily inserted into it. Knead: To mix by “pushing” and folding. Marinate: To soak in a seasoned liquid to increase flavor and tenderness. Mince: To cut or chop food into small pieces. Mix: To combine ingredients using a fork or spoon. Oil: To spread a thin layer of vegetable oil on a dish or pan. Vegetable spray may be used instead. Sauté: To cook in a small amount of fat or water. Scald: To heat milk until bubbles appear (bubbles should not be “breaking” on the surface). Shred: To rub foods with a grater to divide into small pieces. Simmer: To cook at a temperature that is just below the boiling point. Bubbles form slowly but do not reach the surface. Steam: To cook over boiling water. Stir fry: A method of cooking in which vegetables are fried quickly to a crisp-tender state while stirring constantly. Stock: Water in which vegetable(s) or meat has been cooked. Stock liquid should be stored in the fridge.
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Explore Various Cooking Techniques with Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware has revolutionized the way we cook, allowing us to prepare delicious meals with less oil and clean up in a breeze. However, with so many different types of nonstick cookware available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for different cooking techniques. In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of how to use nonstick cookware for various cooking techniques, so you can get the most out of your SENSARTE nonstick cookware and create mouthwatering dishes with ease. Frying Frying is a popular cooking technique that involves cooking food in hot oil or fat. When it comes to frying, a nonstick frying pan is a must-have kitchen tool. SENSARTE nonstick frying pans are available in a range of sizes, from small to large, making it easy to fry up everything from eggs to chicken. To fry food in a nonstick pan, add a small amount of oil and heat the pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the food and cook until crispy and golden brown. Deep Frying Deep frying is a technique where food is completely submerged in hot oil, producing crispy and delicious results. To deep fry in a nonstick pan, a deep frying skillet is essential. SENSARTE nonstick deep frying pans are perfect for this technique, thanks to their high sides and spacious interior. To deep fry food, fill the pan with enough oil to fully submerge the food and heat over medium-high heat. After the oil has reached the desired temperature, cautiously place the food into the pan and cook until it turns crispy and obtains a golden brown color. Sautéing To cook food rapidly and effortlessly, sautéing is the go-to cooking technique that involves cooking food in a tiny amount of oil over high heat. A nonstick skillet or sauté pan is ideal for this technique, as it allows you to cook food evenly without sticking. SENSARTE nonstick skillets and sauté pans are available in a range of sizes, so you can choose the right one for the amount of food you’re cooking. For sautéing, preheat the pan on high heat and then add a small amount of oil or cooking spray. After that, add the food and cook for a few minutes until the food is properly cooked and has a slight golden brown color. Grilling To cook food using the grilling method, you typically place it on a hot surface or an open flame. If you prefer indoor grilling, a nonstick griddle pan is a great option. It prevents food from sticking and simplifies the cleaning process. SENSARTE nonstick griddle pans are available in various sizes, allowing you to cook a wide range of dishes, including burgers and pancakes. All you need to do is heat the griddle pan over medium-high heat, add the food, and cook until it is fully cooked and slightly charred. Nonstick cookware has become an integral part of modern-day cooking. But, as with any other kitchen tool, it is crucial to use it with care and caution. If you follow the usage and maintenance instructions, nonstick cookware can make cooking more accessible, efficient, and healthier. Choosing the right nonstick cookware that aligns with your cooking needs is crucial. Investing in a high-quality nonstick cookware set from reputable brands like SENSARTE is a wise choice that can pay off in the long run. By adopting good cooking practices and taking proper care of your cookware, you can enjoy healthy and delicious meals without any risks. Remember to prioritize your health and safety in the kitchen, and happy cooking with your nonstick cookware!
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How to Choose The Best Nonstick Cookware for Your Needs
Cookware is an essential part of every kitchen, and nonstick cookware has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its ease of use and low maintenance. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best nonstick cookware for your needs. In this blog, we will explore some factors to consider when choosing nonstick cookware that will help you make an informed decision. Nonstick Coating Material The nonstick coating is the most important feature of nonstick cookware. There are two types of nonstick coating materials: PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and Ceramic. PTFE-based nonstick coatings have been popular for decades and are known for their high durability and longevity. Ceramic coatings are newer to the market and are known for being free from PTFE and PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) chemicals, which some people may find concerning. When choosing between these two options, consider your cooking habits and your concerns about chemicals and environmental impact. Cookware Base Material Nonstick cookware is available in various base materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and copper. Each of these materials has its pros and cons. For example, aluminum cookware heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly, but it is prone to scratches and dents. Stainless steel cookware is durable, but it does not conduct heat as well as aluminum or copper. Copper cookware is the most expensive, but it conducts heat the best. When choosing a base material, consider factors like heat conductivity, durability, and budget. Size and Shape Nonstick cookware comes in different sizes and shapes. Consider the size of your household and the types of dishes you frequently cook. If you cook for a large family or often prepare one-pot meals, consider purchasing larger nonstick pots and pans. If you cook for one or two people, smaller cookware might be more practical. Also, consider the shapes of the cookware, whether you need a deep saucepan or a shallow frypan for your cooking needs. Handles The handles of nonstick cookware should be comfortable and easy to grip, especially when the cookware is hot. Look for handles that are heat-resistant and stay cool even when the cookware is heated. Brand and Warranty Finally, consider the brand and warranty of the nonstick cookware you are interested in. Choose a reputable brand that has a good track record of producing quality nonstick cookware. Check the warranty provided by the manufacturer, which can vary from one year to a lifetime. The warranty will cover defects and nonstick coating durability and could save you money in the long run. In conclusion, choosing the best nonstick cookware for your needs involves considering the nonstick coating material, cookware base material, size and shape, handles, and brand and warranty. By keeping these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision that will help you create delicious and healthy meals in your kitchen.
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Cooking Basics: Kitchen Equipment
Mark the kitchen equipment you already have or substitute items as needed. There may be other items you could substitute. Kitchen Equipment Measuring Cup Strainer Cookie Sheet Rolling Pin Potato Masher Measuring Spoons Vegetable Peeler Mixing Bowls Cutting Board Pie Pan Round Cake Pan Biscuit/Cookie cutters Ladle for Serving Soup Pancake Turner Cooling Rack Rotary Beater Wire Whisk Pot Holder Pastry Blender Grater Substitute Items Marked Jar or Baby Bottle Pan with A Lid or Cover Cake Pan and Pizza Pan Smooth Bottle or Glass Knifes and Forks Regular Teaspoon and/or Tablespoon Kettle, Pan or Storage Containers Sturdy Plate Flat Cake Pan Square or Oblong Pan Lids, Rim or Jars, Rim of Cans, Glasses Cup with Handle Oven Rack Folded Towel
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Get to Know When to Replace Your Cookware
Common Cookware Problems: Warping, Loose Handles, Weak Joints Weak overheating can cause the cookware to distort or warp. You can check for warping by simply placing the pot or pan on a flat surface. If the pan is shaking, it may have become rounded or warped. This round shape can lead to cooking hot spots, as the pan can no longer maintain full contact with the heat source and the food can burn. Weak or loose pan joints can cause liquid to leak while cooking. Make sure to double check all handles and rivets before cooking each time. When Should I Replace My Nonstick Pan? Even if you follow proper nonstick cookware care instructions, you could still expect a few small scratches to appear on the nonstick coating while using. If your nonstick skillet or griddle is badly scratched and/or the nonstick coating starts to peel, not only will the food start to stick to the pan, but fragments of the coating can mix in your food. When Should I Replace My Stainless Steel Pan? Modern stainless steel pans are a combination of stainless steel exteriors and aluminum or copper centers. You can maintain shine and effectiveness with proper stainless steel care, but if the core starts peeking out of the stainless, it can react with some acidic foods, like ketchup, causing discoloration. When Should I Replace My Cast Iron Pan? Got rust on a cast iron pan with vinegar, steel wool, and dish soap to no avail? Pans made from miscellaneous metals can cause excessive rust. No one wants to eat rust. When Should I Replace My Enamel Cast Iron Pan? Over time, chips can develop in the enamel lining the top of the cookware. These aren't too much trouble, but once the enamel starts to flake off along the bottom or the sides you stir or scrape, it will continue to crumble and get into your food. Caring for Your Cookware All cookware should come with proper maintenance instructions for the longest return on investment. Always check your repair or replacement options before throwing away your existing cookware. In addition to the physical cookware aspects that may affect cooking, consider the following: Are the exterior surfaces of your cookware dented or discolored? Is your collection of pots and pans a mismatch? Is your cookware style conflicting with your kitchen? Have you ever found yourself using a pan that is too big or too small for your needs? Do you use one piece of cookware more than any other? Does your cookware affect your cooking pleasure? If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, you are ready to purchase a new nonstick or stainless steel cookware or cookware set. We know that replacing or upgrading cookware can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful. Check out SENSARTE Cookware online store to find the cookware that best suits your needs, whether you're a budding foodie or a pro!
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Cookware Guide 101: Types of Cookware
When looking for new cookware, the first thing you should look for is the different types of cookware that are available. If you are a beginner, you most likely need an efficient and cost-effective solution for your cookware needs. Therefore let's start with the basics, there are four main types to consider when choosing a new cookware: Stock Pot, Fry Pan, Sauté Pan, and last but not least, Sauce Pan. Stock Pot The stock pot is a large, deep pot with a flat bottom. It is used for cooking liquid foods that do not need to be very close to the heat source. A stock pot allows you to sauté or fry and then add liquids when making soups or stews. Their high profile is great for keeping pasta submerged during the boiling process. There are a variety of sizes available for the stock pot. Keep in mind that multiple sizes could be useful when you have to cook for a small or large group of people. Fry Pan The fry pan also known as skillet is an essential kitchen workhorse and probably one of the most versatile cookware you have in the kitchen. Using the right fry pan, flipping omelets, stir-frying, and even searing protein is easy. These pans are designed with a flat bottom and curved sides, making them perfect for flipping foods or simmering with oil. So how hot can they get? It depends on what material your fry pan is made of. Nonstick pans should not go over low or medium heat to preserve their coating, while stainless steel is good for high heat. Frying pans also come in all sizes and usually come without a lid. Cast Iron Skillet Another form of frying pan is the cast iron skillet. Cast iron skillets are similar to frying pans, but the main difference is the care and materials they are made from. Given that these skillets are made of cast iron, they can be quite heavy. The best advice is, if you've never used a cast iron skillet, come and grab one before you buy. When choosing the cast iron skillet, make sure it's pre-seasoned. The problem with an unseasoned skillet is that the food will stick to it. Sauté Pan Sauté Pan is made for sautéing, which means being able to quickly move food around the pan while it is frying, and covered with the lid. Sauté pans are similar in design to frying pans, they also have flat bottoms, but the main difference between a frying pan and a sauté pan is that instead of rounded edges, a sauté pan has straight edges. Given that they are deeper than frying pans, sauté pans can be used for a variety of purposes other than sautéing. Some of these uses are deep-frying, searing and preparing certain sauces like marinara. Sauce Pan The sauce pan has a rounded bottom and tall, straight sides. This means they are a versatile cookware option for making a variety of sauces and soups. These pans can be used with or without a lid to control evaporation, which is why they are a must-have in any kitchen. It’s also ideal for many other uses, like reheating leftovers, preparing grains, boiling eggs or noodles.
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Nonstick vs Stainless Steel Pans
When you're shopping for cookware, whether you plan to stock your kitchen for the first time or buy something for a specific dish, the goals are efficiency and longevity. You need to buy the right equipment for the right job and make a concerted effort to use the tool the way it is intended. Therefore when shopping for a frying pan, should you buy a nonstick or stainless steel pan? If you're a regular cook, the short answer is that you need both. Knowledge of Nonstick Pans The core of a nonstick pan is usually made of aluminum and then coated with a nonstick material (PFOA-free Teflon or ceramic). A light, weightless pan might look ideal, but when choosing any pot or pan, you need a thicker, heavier bottom to distribute the heat evenly. Ideally the nonstick pan is oven proof and has an oven friendly coated handle. It's not necessary, but it comes in handy when you want to make baked egg dishes like omelettes. If you do get an oven-safe pan, you'll want to check how much heat the pan can handle. Exceeding this number could damage the pan and the food being cooked. When To Use Nonstick Pans Now that you know how to buy nonstick pans, let's talk about how you'll use them and take care of them. For starters, calorie reduction is the name of the game for the reasons above. Nonstick pans are able to do what they do because of their nonstick coating, and nonstick coatings can be affected by overheating. Stick to more delicate foods such as eggs, crepes, pancakes, and very delicate fish, which can be cooked on medium and low heat. Never sear in a nonstick pan. Searing requires high heat, and nonstick pans cannot be used with high heat. Also, you want to avoid acidic foods (like ketchup or wine) and nonstick cooking sprays. Acids can wear away the coating, and nonstick sprays can create residues that are hard to remove. Use oil or butter instead of nonstick spray. Next, a life rule worth repeating: Use wood, silicone, or rubber utensils on nonstick pans. And don't put nonstick pans in the dishwasher - they can't handle the heat of the dishwasher, even if the label tells you they can. The combination of heat and water is horrible for metals and, in this case, will destroy your coating. Lastly, I think it's important to remember to try as much as you can and never go over medium heat, or always remember to use certain utensils and avoid certain foods. Sometimes the nonstick is the only pan that is clean, sometimes all rubber spatulas are in the dishwasher, and sometimes you forget that you can't add a can of tomato sauce. Even with our best efforts, the coating on these pans will wear off. This is not anyone's failure, it is reality. If the food starts to stick, you can't stick with this nonstick pan any more. This pan has a quality that makes it worth your kitchen space. Once this quality doesn't work, it needs to be replaced. Don't scrape scrambled eggs with a wooden spoon for the next few years. To Be Continued…
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5 Mistakes to Avoid with Nonstick Cookware
Do Not Put Nonstick Cookware in Dishwasher When it comes to cleaning, hand washing is the best. The nonstick surface should make it a simple and easy process. Let the pans cool to room temperature before cleaning. This will ensure it doesn't deform due to temperature fluctuations. From there, use cool water and a sponge or soft brush with a few drops of dish soap to wash away any stubborn food. As long as your nonstick pans are in good shape, the process should be as simple as a quick wipe and rinse. Do Not Use Abrasive Cleaners or Metal Utensils It's tempting, but even if you promise to do your best not to scratch the pan during use, metal utensils are a surefire way to cause lasting damage to nonstick pans because they can easily scratch the coating surface. Abrasive cleaners and stacked pans can also scratch or the surface, so avoid these pitfalls too. If stacking is your only option, place a dish towel between each pan as a protective layer. Make Sure to Avoid Shocking Temperature Changes Few materials perform well from hot to cold or vice versa and nonstick cookware is no exception. As we mentioned above in the instructions for hand washing the pans after they have cooled, the practice of allowing the pans to come to a new temperature gradually will help avoid warping. The same can be said if you want to take your pans from the fridge to the stovetop. Let’s be honest, your pan shouldn’t have been in the fridge in the first place. Nonstick pans are not for food storage, especially when we're talking a big pot of marinade. As with cast iron, prolonged exposure to acidic components will wear down the finish. Do Not Dry Heating Your Nonstick Cookware Don't let your pan heat up without food or liquid. The pan can heat to an unsafe temperature in a few minutes or less, so having something in the pan will help keep the temperature steady and avoid spoilage and smoking. While we're on the topic, it's also not advisable to let your nonstick cookware get too hot regardless of what's in it. It's best to avoid heat levels that exceed the medium setting of your stovetop. High temperatures in the oven are also definitely not wise. For items that need a tasty crust, pull out your trusty cast iron for searing work. Do Not Use Cooking Sprays What makes the super smooth surface even more nonstick? Cooking spray, right? Definitely wrong. Lecithin, an ingredient in the spray, is the nemesis of nonstick coatings and will adhere to it even when you don't want it to. If you just want to give your nonstick pan a little extra kick by dusting it a little, a spray of oil will do the trick.
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How to Clean Your Nonstick Cookware
Although not as strong as cast iron, copper, or carbon steel pans, nonstick cookware can last for years with proper care and maintenance. While it's never a bad idea to refer to the manufacturer's care instructions for your particular pan, here are a few additional guidelines to keep in mind. What to Do Just be sure to let your pan cool completely before cleaning. Immersing a hot pan in cold water, or even pouring cold water on hot nonstick cookware, can warp the pan and create an uneven, unstable surface that results in uneven heating. Clean your nonstick pans thoroughly after use. Simply rinsing or wiping away visible residue will not remove oily surfaces. Lingering residue can oxidize, create an odor the next time you cook, or worse, burn on your pan and be nearly impossible to remove, damaging the pan's appearance and nonstick performance. After cleaning, be sure to wipe the pan dry with a soft cloth before storing it. What Not to Do No matter how much you want to, never use steel wool or other harsh, abrasive cleaning materials or detergents to clean nonstick pans. Instead, use mild dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge, cleaning cloth, or gentle brush. If your pan is particularly difficult to clean, soak it in warm, soapy water for a few hours or even overnight and then try again to remove stubborn residue. If you're still having trouble cleaning your pan, use a paste of kosher salt and water as a mild abrasive. Be careful with the dishwasher. If your cookware doesn't claim to be dishwasher safe, avoid the dishwasher entirely. While many nonstick pans are technically dishwasher safe, we still highly recommend hand washing in warm soapy water, as it's easy to do - the smooth nonstick surface cleans up easily - and it will prolong the service life of your pan. Dishwashers spray extremely hot water to sanitize the surface, which gradually wears down the surface of the pan and may even warp the surface of a lightweight pan. Other Cleaning Tips How to Clean Nonstick Cookware for The First Time Before using nonstick cookware for the first time, be sure to clean it: rinse with dish soap and hot water, then dry thoroughly with a cloth or paper towel. You can do this in a step called "pre-seasoning" - using a disposable paper towel to lightly grease a pot or pan. How to Clean Your Nonstick Pan Allow your nonstick pan to come to room temperature after each use. Rinse the pan with warm water and use a sponge, soft brush, or damp cloth to remove any residue, then apply a few drops of dishwashing liquid to remove any remaining grease. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel. What to Do If Your Nonstick Coating is Coming Off We don't want to be bearers of bad news, but if your nonstick pan is severely scratched, peeling, or no longer nonstick, it's time to replace it. If the coating flakes off, a small amount of the coating flakes may end up in your food, and the pan itself will no longer be as good at what it was supposed to do.
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