The Ultimate Kitchen: Baking Sheet

YumSugar — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 03:13:29 -0800

Every kitchen needs a baking sheet (aka jellyroll pan). Not only are they great for baking cookies and pizza, but you can put it under a roast to catch drippings.

So you're probably saying to yourself, okay but what's the big deal, a piece of metal is a piece of metal, right? Wrong. Think about it, have you ever put a sheet of cookies inside the oven only to hear this weird "thwoang" noise? That, my friends, is the sound of your thin baking sheet warping (also, thin baking sheets may cause the bottom of baked goods to burn or heat unevenly). To avoid this, you'll want to invest in a couple good quality, heavy, durable, rimmed baking sheets. Oh, and make sure they'll fit in your oven, refrigerator and cabinets.

This professional-grade baking sheet from Chicago Metallic is heavier than most standard bakeware, distributes heat evenly and the aluminum-coated steel won't rust or warp. The rimmed edge is deep enough for baking cookie bars, and perfect for catching any drippings. One for $17 or two for $30.

If your kitchen is a tiny one, you might consider a quarter sheet pan instead. It has a light-colored matte finish that promotes even heat absorption and is half the size of a standard home baking sheet (perfect for those small kitchens). One quarter sheet will cost you $11.95.

Two more, so read more

If you're not using parchment paper or silpats, then you might really enjoy the the Cuisinart Nonstick Baking Sheet. Constructed out of heavy gauge aluminized steel, it heats evenly for consistent baking results and the nonstick coating ensures easy food release and cleanup. One sheet costs $17.95.

Another option is an insulated baking sheet. Although it has some downsides (they don't have rims and it doesn't always produce the correct degree of crispiness), some people really enjoy it. The central air chamber insulates food from excessive heat which means there's less chance of burning. However you'll have to be sure to monitor because things take longer to bake. Starting at $14.95.

The Ultimate Kitchen: 2 Quart Saucepan

YumSugar — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:26:13 -0800

The next item on my ultimate kitchen list is a 2 quart saucepan. This size is perfect for sauces, heating up small amounts of soup, oatmeal, etc.

Try to find one that has a good grip and a handle that will not conduct too much heat. It should also have a heavy base that will conduct heat evenly. Also, make sure that the pan you choose comes with a well fitted lid.

A good choice for your kitchen is a stainless steel pan with a copper core or bottom. The copper in this 2 quart saucepan from All-Clad will provide for quick and even heat distribution and the stainless steel won't react with food. It has long "stay-cool" handles and a rolled edge rim for dripless pouring. However, it's definitely a splurge at $235 (registry time!).

Two reasonably priced saucepans to check out, so read more

Cusinart's Nonstick Hard-Anodized model is a good choice for a low price ($21.99). It has a "stay-cool" steel handle, distributes heat well, is nonstick, comes with a break-resistant glass lid and is oven safe up to 500 degrees. The downfall with this particular pan is that due to the non-stick coating, it can not be placed in the dishwasher.

Another option is a 2 quart saucepan with double boiler. This one by Farberware is made from stainless steel, has an aluminum core (for heat conductivity), has stay cool handles, and is dishwasher safe. The pots can be used separately (although the upper pan is much thinner and conducts heat rapidly) or combined as a double-boiler (for melting chocolate, etc.). In fact, it's almost like two pans for the price of one ($29.99).