by Furnishly | Jan 20, 2023 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Now, if you know me, you know that I’m a sucker for a great, single-use tool, as long as I know I’m going to use it all the time and get my money’s worth. (Looking at you, citrus juicer.) However, since my cabinets and drawers are already brimming with cookware, kitchen gadgets, and coffee makers, I tend to look for versatility when shopping for new pieces to add to my culinary arsenal. And, when you talk about versatility in the kitchen, you really can’t have that conversation without talking about cast iron. From the gorgeous, stovetop-worthy, enameled pieces from cookware institutions such as Le Creuset and Staub to your everyday, built-to-last pieces that you can snag on the cheap, there’s really no material that’s better for all-around cooking than cast iron. Recently, I picked up my new favorite piece, but one that might be daunting to some: a non-enameled cast-iron skillet from Lodge.
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You’ve probably heard all about different ways to cook with, clean, and care for cast iron — or you’ve at least seen the memes about never using soap — and while there are plenty of schools of thought on the subject, the one thing I’ve learned from years of using cast iron is that you shouldn’t overthink it. First off, you can definitely use dish soap on cast iron cookware, but you don’t have to. There are plenty of guides online that go into deep detail on how to care for your skillet, but I’ve found that as long as you use them often, and wipe them down with a thin layer of oil before putting them away, they retain their seasoning and cook like a dream. (If it worked for our grandparents, it works for me!)
Now, back to the skillet. The 10.25-inch pan from Lodge comes pre-seasoned, and is pretty much the perfect size for any kitchen — big enough to sear a steak, bake cornbread and biscuits, fry veggies, and (my personal favorite) whip up a perfect breakfast scramble. Yep, the thing I use my skillet most for is breakfast: Specifically, laying down a few strips of uncured bacon or breakfast sausage, rendering out all of the delicious fat within, and using the grease to cook my eggs and fry my toast. (Talk about a one-pot meal!) Then, once I’m done using it, I just wipe out the pan — after a few uses, it essentially becomes a non-stick — give it a quick rinse and scrub with a cast-iron scrubber or sponge, heat it on the stove to dry it off, then rub a thin layer of vegetable oil all over it. After it cools off, I hang it from an old, square nail that was conveniently driven into the brick wall of my apartment near my stove years and years ago.
I also find plenty of other uses for my skillet in the kitchen, most of which have to do with its hefty, 5-pound construction. It makes an excellent weight to make smashburgers; hold down bacon on the griddle; or smush chicken and pork into thin cutlets; set on top of tofu to help it drain; use as a “brick” for brick chicken; and plenty of other cases where a thin, lightweight pan just wouldn’t get the job done.
While the works super well, and is a super versatile piece of cookware — I mean, you can bring this sucker camping and set it directly on the coals — the nostalgic combination of cooking an old-school breakfast using an old-school pan, then hanging it on an old-school nail that sticks out of a brick wall just gets me every time. And, at just 20 bucks, this skillet is the perfect piece of cookware to buy now, use forever, and pass down from generation to generation.
by Furnishly | Jan 5, 2023 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Nerding out over brands might be considered cringey by some, but here at AT, we’ll always be the most vocal fans of Le Creuset cookware. It all started with their famous Dutch oven, but we’ve also come to love other signature cast-iron kitchenware from them. Items including their classic skillet, stunning French press, and one-of-a-kind bread oven have captured our hearts (and our stomachs), allowing us to make a wide assortment of eats. It also doesn’t hurt that their cookware is easy on the eyes and always available in numerous colors! But, as familiar as we’ve gotten with this brand’s various product offerings, there’s one piece we want to call special attention to: Not only is Le Creuset’s 7.5-quart soup pot incredibly versatile, but right now, you can snag it for more than 50 percent off. It’s been marked down from $420 to $189 — a deal so good we can hardly believe it. So, what makes this pot so special? Allow me to elaborate.
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For one, this soup pot is made of Le Creuset’s tried-and-true enameled cast-iron material, which is known for its stellar heat distribution capabilities. Whatever ingredients you put inside, they’ll be boiling in no time with no cold spots left by the end of the cook time. The cast iron will also keep your meal warm long after you’ve removed it from the burner, plus it’s not prone to chipping or staining. Another feature to note is the pot’s wide design. Unlike some stock pots that are tall, narrow, and thus difficult to scoop soup out of, this piece sports rounded edges and a 12.6-inch diameter that allows for plenty of mobility. You’ll be able to ladle with ease and not drip onto your stovetop.
Adding to the pot’s convenience are its easy-grip side handles, which allow you to transport it from stove to table without any mishaps. And, we can’t not mention its glass lid, which is almost airtight save for a small steam hole. By keeping the lid on as your food cooks, you’ll help it retain moisture and prevent any toughness. Arguably the best part is that you don’t need professional culinary skills in order to use this chef-grade pot: Simply throw in your ingredients, bring them to a boil, and let them simmer. When you’re ready for leftovers the next day, you can even reheat the pot in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It really doesn’t get any easier than that!
by Furnishly | Nov 4, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
You know when you’re scrolling Instagram or TikTok and a “one-pot meal” that looks ridiculously good comes on your feed? We’ve all been there: You’re a little skeptical that the dish you’re looking at really only dirtied one pan or pot, but you’re trying to be a little more optimistic these days, so you let the gentle, ASMR-ish intro play out only to have your hopes dashed when the influencer with the way-too-nice kitchen starts the video by whipping out a Vitamix, a pasta maker, and a mandoline. Now, technically, they did only use one pot, but what they’re really ending up with is a bunch of dirty kitchen appliances, which defeats the purpose of a one-pot meal — such a drag! All of this is to preface, though, that actual, delicious one-pot meals do exist, and all you need to do to make them is invest in the right piece of cookware.
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At AT, we’re huge fans of enameled Dutch ovens, heritage cast-iron cookware, nonstick skillets, and bakeware that could double as home decor. The only issue with these items is that you sort of have to baby them. You need to follow a strict cleaning and seasoning regimen with cast iron, you can only use certain utensils on nonstick surfaces, and you have to be careful not to chip anything that’s enameled. But, for weeknight meals and general, everyday cooking, what you need is a simple, sturdy piece of cookware that you can clang, bang, and toss around without worry. I give you: the OXO Tri-Ply Stainless Mira Series 3.3 Qt Sauté Pan.
OXO is an AT editor-favorite, and for good reason — pretty much all of their products are reliable, affordable, and high-quality. This do-it-all kitchen workhorse is no different, and is made using two layers of stainless steel with a heat-radiant aluminum core, which means it heats evenly and won’t scorch or burn parts of your dish. It also features stain-resistant finish with “evershine technology,” which helps prevent heat discoloration. And, it’s built to last, with rivets that are flush with the interior of the pan, meaning a) your sponge or dishcloth won’t snag on them when you’re washing it, and b) you never have to worry about the handle coming loose.
I personally love this thing because it’s oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can start a dish on the stovetop, and finish it under the broiler. (It’s also fine to use with metal tools and dishwasher-safe — if you’re Bill Gates and, you know, own a dishwasher.) The high walls and tight-fitting lid mean it’s good to go for everything from fall braises and boiling pasta to cooking fluffy rice, sauteing veggies, and more. (I’ve even roasted a small chicken in this thing.) My favorite thing to use this for, besides one-pot meals, is meal prepping. Since it holds up to 3.3 quarts, I just sear off some meat, add veggies, deglaze with stock and crushed tomatoes, cook a pack of noodles in the sauce, and voila — lunch for the next three days is served. The best part? I’m not left with a sink full of dishes, and if there’s anything stuck to the bottom of the pan (which there usually isn’t), I can just take a metal bench scraper to it without worrying about ruining the metal.
So, if you’re in the market for a pan you can always use (wink; IYKYK), but don’t want to shell out for an exorbitantly expensive model that might not even last you through the holidays, snag this OXO Tri-Ply Stainless Mira Series 3.3 Qt Sauté Pan and enjoy stress-free weeknight meals.
by Furnishly | Sep 19, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
My cooking style could probably best be described as “off the cuff” — and that’s being generous. Though I do my best to meal plan in advance, more often than not, what we have for dinner each evening is dependent on what’s currently in our fridge and how much time and/or energy we have to cook it. There’s nothing quite like the deception of shopping and meal planning while well-rested on Sunday, only to find you don’t have the stamina to whip up a three-hour pot roast on Thursday evening (I mean, duh — who does?).
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Because of the flexible nature of our dinner menu, I’ve found myself relying more and more on cookware that is equally as versatile. At this point in life, if a pot, pan, or small appliance only has one use, I don’t have time for it. I’m all about pieces of cookware that pull double or even triple duty in my kitchen, allowing me to blindly grab for it five minutes before I figure out what I’m actually cooking that evening. One of the do-it-all pieces currently on my radar (and wishlist)? Staub’s Enameled Cast Iron Daily Sauté pan.
As the name implies, this beauty is basically the Goldilocks of cookware, all backed by Staub’s legendary craftsmanship and quality design. Featuring high, sloped sides that are ideal for sautéing or frying, this 3-quart pan boasts plenty of room for cooking up one-pan dinners that are a staple in our household during the week. The entire interior is coated in enameled cast iron that conducts (and retains) heat beautifully while remaining resistant to chips and cracking (and necessitating no additional seasoning!). Translation: Your meats and veggies will brown, but delicate grains or greens won’t stick or burn. The piece comes complete with a glass lid that’ll help you trap heat and moisture and allow you to easily check in on how your meal is coming.
To up the versatility of this piece even more, Staub made the whole thing compatible with all cooktops and oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (400 degrees Fahrenheit for the lid). So basically, whatever fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants meal you pull out of your hat for this evening, the Daily Sauté can tackle it. It even comes in a slew of pretty colors, from calming Sage and sophisticated Grenadine to classic Sapphire. The best part of all this? Williams-Sonoma is currently offering the piece at a truly epic discount, granting shoppers $100 off the original list price of $279.95, making the pan just $149.95.
If you need even more convincing (but seriously, that price!), know this: Buyers love this piece just as much as we do. It has a remarkable 4.9-star rating on Williams-Sonoma, with reviewers calling it their “daily go-to,” “a dream,” and “a total kitchen staple.” One happy buyer writes, “We now have two [of these] pans and they are both outstanding in quality and use. Cooking and baking with these pans is a joy. They distribute the heat better than any other product we have used, are solidly manufactured, and are beautiful to boot!”
Sounds like the perfect addition to your cookware collection, right? If so, you’ll want to move fast — Williams Sonoma’s generous discount only lasts through September 26, then it’s back up to full price for this beauty (which is, of course, still worth it!).
by Furnishly | Jun 6, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
If you’re anything like me, many parts of your kitchen (and I mean many) are constantly on the brink of chaos. One wrong move — a pan pulled out from the middle of the pile, a new addition to my cookware collection — and the whole house of cards that is my kitchen “organization” is falling to the ground.
Because of this delicate balance, I’m constantly on the hunt for gadgets and solutions that will make an ever-illusive organized kitchen that much more attainable. Enter: the DecoBros Kitchen Counter and Cabinet Pan Organizer, a simple and practical system that — I promise— is about to reinvent how you organize your kitchen cabinets.
Made from sturdy metal and available in a trio of finishes (silver, bronze, and white), this unassuming organizer promises to calm the cookware chaos hiding within your cabinets. Here’s how it works: Place it either standing up or laying on its side (genius!) and use it to separate and hold any number of cookware pieces, from a slew of different pans, skillets, and lids to cookie sheets and cutting boards. Each durable metal “shelf” is hearty and able to hold a decent amount of weight, meaning even your cast iron pan collection is no match for this organizer.
With this simple addition to your cabinet, you can say goodbye to clanking through pots and pans on your quest for the right dinner companion — everything is seamlessly laid out before you, with each piece boasting its own “home” that keeps it from scratching or damaging its nearby cookware companions.
We’re not the only fans of this piece though — in fact, we’re in good company, with over 10,000 happy customers bestowing a coveted 5-star rating on this organizer. “I was skeptical about ordering this. I have a large collection of cast iron pans and it’s such a pain having to lift them all out to retrieve the one I need,” says one reviewer. “I had this sitting in my cart for a couple of months until I finally took a chance and ordered it. I am so glad that I did! It easily holds all of my cast iron pans, and there is no warp or bend from the weight between each pan. It is very solid and sturdy. I use mine upright, with each pan over top of the one below it. It has made my cabinet much more organized and no more pinched fingers trying to power lift them all out! This is easily one of my favorite kitchen purchases in a while.” Another happy customer raves, “I can’t believe it took me so long to make this minor investment for my sanity!”
