Getting Started

I once heard someone say that they don't like to cook because they don't have good knives. Of course! Who likes to paint with a bad paint brush? How about riding that bike with the gears that won't shift well or with the chain that is always a problem? What about wearing those shoes in your closet that always rub a blister? It kind of takes the joy out of the moment or day and even takes away from the ability to complete your home repairs, hobbies, or even just daily life.

So, why have inadequate cooking tools? You eat three meals a day. You can easily spend hours in your kitchen a week. Insufficient cookware and tools take away your ability to complete a large part of your daily life. Why torture yourself? Because good cooking tools and appliances are expensive, you say! Yes. I agree. (I personally bought some myself before I got them as wedding gifts.) But, with a good set of pots and pans, a good set of sharp knives, and the best appliances on the market, you will not have to replace them. (Unless, like my mom, she got tired of some of her 70's and 80's style appliances and over the past few years has bought some new appliances and tool to have the black and chrome look. Good decision!) And besides, your family is probably always wanting to know what it is that you want for your birthday and Christmas.



In Barefoot Contessa's (Ina Garten)Back to Basics cookbook she says it well. "Use good-quality cookware such as All-Clad, Le Creuset, and Cuisinart." (I would have to add my Kitchen Aid mixer to that list.)"Not only do they cook foods more evenly, they're also much easier to clean up!" I have to agree with her. If you have good cookware then you can attest to what Ina Garten is saying. If not, the day you lay your hands on such a pot or pan or appliance or even knife, you will be a true believer! Ina goes on to say, "Keep your knives sharp. I use Wusthof knives..." Amen Ina, Amen.

Glorious, glorious All-Clad and Wusthof. :)