Global Cuisine, One Pot At A Time: Exploring The World Of Culinary Culture With The Right Cookware

Cooking enthusiasts are always on the lookout for the perfect cookware set to help them prepare their favourite dishes. The Cuisine Collection 7 Pc Cookware Set is a great option for those looking for a durable and versatile set. The set includes a 5.5 qt Dutch Oven, 1.75 qt and 1.1 qt Sauce Pans, and a 10 Skillet, all made of heavy-gauge stainless steel with sturdy handles and knobs. The encapsulated base ensures even heating distribution, making it perfect for cooking a variety of dishes. The stylish stainless-steel lids, including one that fits both the large Dutch oven and the frypan, add a touch of elegance to your kitchen. This set provides a healthy cooking experience and is easy to clean, making it a convenient and practical choice for any home cook.

Stainless steel cookware sets

Stainless steel is a popular choice for cookware sets due to its durability, ability to brown meats, and oven-proof capabilities. It is also induction-compatible and usually dishwasher- and oven-safe. However, stainless steel has poor heat conductivity, often requiring the addition of more conductive metals such as copper or aluminium.

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-Piece Set

Price: $230

Features: Even heating, easy to clean, comfortable to handle

Oven Safe: Up to 500°F

Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Le Creuset Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Price: $850

Features: Lightweight, responsive to heat, easy to clean

Oven Safe: Up to 500°F

Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Price: $200

Features: Lightweight, easy to handle, easy to clean

Oven Safe: Up to 450°F

Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Hestan Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Price: $720

Features: Well-constructed, balanced, comfortable handles

Oven Safe: Up to 600°F

Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel 7-Piece Cookware Set

Price: $90

Features: Heats quickly and evenly, sturdy, stays cool when cooking

Oven Safe: Up to 500°F

Dishwasher Safe: Yes

All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set

Price: $900

Features: High-quality construction, even cooking, no sticking

Oven Safe: Up to 600°F

Dishwasher Safe: No

Made In 10-Piece Stainless Set

Price: $779

Features: Well-balanced, oven-safe to high temperatures, includes a non-stick pan

Oven Safe: Up to 800°F

Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Woks and stir-frys

The Wok

A wok is a traditional, deep-bodied cooking vessel that originated in China. It features a distinctive rounded bottom and curved sides, flaring outwards, creating a large surface area ideal for stir-frying. Woks are typically made from carbon steel, cast iron, or stainless steel, each material offering unique benefits. Carbon steel is lightweight and responsive to heat changes, making it a popular choice for professional chefs. Cast iron woks retain heat exceptionally well, ensuring even cooking, while stainless steel woks are durable, non-reactive, and easy to maintain.

The unique shape of the wok allows for efficient heat distribution, making it perfect for stir-frying, a cooking technique that involves cooking ingredients quickly over high heat with constant stirring. The curved sides of the wok ensure that food returns to the centre, promoting even cooking and preventing burning.

Stir-Frying

Stir-frying is a fundamental cooking technique in many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Thai, and Malaysian. It involves cooking ingredients in a small amount of hot oil in a wok over high heat. This technique seals in flavours and nutrients, resulting in dishes that are both tasty and healthy. Stir-frying is an excellent method for retaining the crispness of vegetables, the tenderness of meats, and the unique textures of various ingredients.

Techniques and Utensils

To master the art of stir-frying, it is essential to have the right utensils. A wok spatula, made of wood or metal, is used to stir and toss ingredients quickly. The long handle of the spatula protects the cook's hand from the high heat. A wok spoon, a large, shallow spoon, is also useful for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.

Additionally, a wok ring, typically made of cast iron, can be placed over a gas burner to provide a stable base for the wok, ensuring even heat distribution. For electric stoves, a flat-bottomed wok is a better option, ensuring direct contact with the heating element.

In conclusion, woks and stir-frying techniques are essential elements of global cuisine, offering a unique and delicious way to prepare meals. With the right tools and techniques, anyone can master the art of stir-frying and enjoy the wonderful flavours and textures it offers.

Tagines

The unique shape of the tagine lid promotes a unique style of cooking. The steam from the food being cooked rises and condenses on the inside of the cone before falling back onto the food, keeping it moist and infusing the dish with flavour. This self-basting process means that very little liquid is needed when cooking with a tagine, allowing for the intense concentration of flavours.

Using a tagine is a social experience, often forming the centrepiece of a meal shared with family and friends. The tagine is placed in the middle of the table, and everyone helps themselves directly from the dish, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The beautiful designs and colours of tagines also make them popular as serving dishes or decorative items when not in use.

Paella pans

There are several types of materials used to craft paella pans, each with its own unique properties:

• Carbon steel: Traditional option with superior heat conductivity, offering fast and even heating. Requires seasoning before and after each use.
• Enamelled steel: Non-stick, rust-proof, and easier to maintain as they don't require special care.
• Stainless steel: Durable, rust-proof, and dishwasher-safe, making it easy to clean.
• Cast iron: Provides even heat distribution and retains heat for longer. Requires removing the paella from the heat a few minutes early to prevent overcooking.

When choosing a paella pan, consider the heat source you will be using, as the pan material must be compatible with it. Paella pans are typically suitable for stovetops, including induction, as well as ovens and outdoor cooking on open flames, campfires, and BBQ grills.

Steamers and double boilers

Stainless Steel Steamers and Double Boilers

Stainless steel is a popular material for steamers and double boilers due to its durability, ease of care, and compatibility with various cooktops. Here are some options to consider:

• Cook N Home Stainless Steel Saucepan Double Boiler and Steamer: This set includes a 4-quart stockpot, a 3-quart steamer insert, a 3-quart double boiler insert, and a glass lid. It is made of mirror-polished stainless steel for easy cleaning and works on various cooktops, including gas, electric, and induction.
• Culinary Edge Stainless Steel Steamer and Boiler Set: This set includes a 2-quart saucepan, a steamer insert, and a tempered glass lid. It is made of 18/10 stainless steel with a 2 mm encapsulated aluminum bottom for even heat distribution.
• Classic Cuisine 6 Cup Double Boiler Pot Set: This set includes a 1.5-quart bottom saucepan, a 6-cup top pot, and a vented glass lid. It is made of durable stainless steel and is compatible with glass, electric, induction, and gas cooktops.

Other Materials

While stainless steel is a common material for steamers and double boilers, other materials such as copper and ceramic are also available:

• Mauviel M'Cook Steamer Insert: Made of 5-ply stainless steel, this steamer insert is compatible with the Mauviel M'Cook saucepan (sold separately).
• Mauviel M'150c Copper Double Boiler: This double boiler has a capacity of 0.9 quarts and is made of copper with bronze handles.
• JIA Steamer Set: This unique set includes a ceramic steamer pot, a lid, and a cedar wood basket.

Frequently asked questions