A gift is something special when it’s something you don’t have, don’t need, but would really love.
This gift guide features pots and pans that offer something unique or add something special to the cooking experience.
We’re sure these are gifts that someone who loves to cook, or just has to cook, would really love.
When it a pan not simply a “pan?”
When it’s one of these!
TFal Tres ChicSpot Pear Fry Pan
Cooks just want to have fun! TFal doesn’t think that cooking should be dull (and neither do we). Gift this adorable, non-stick TFal Tres ChicSpot Pear Fry Pan ($25.00) and every day will be a fun day!
Pears and apples festoon the bottom in shades of green, apricot, cream, beige and dark green on a creamy enamel background with a goldenrod handle. The vintage design is cute enough to work as “wall art.”
But under the lighthearted design is a serious design benefit. See the red spot in the middle of the pan? When the pan is at the right temperature for cooking, the hatch mark design around the red circle surrounding the black “T” on the thermo spot” disappears, telling you the pan is ready. TFal’s “ProGlide” technology also helps keep food from sticking to the bottom (we tried burning something and was able to get it off, easily).
This pan is dishwasher safe and also oven safe up to 350.F/177.C . If you’re trying to get yourself, or someone else, into exploring the delights of cooking at home, frying up a couple of eggs or cooking a few chicken breasts or a small piece of meat or veggies in this pan is an attitude changer because it is cute and high performance. It’s a perfect all-around size if you’re not into keeping a lot of different pans around.
We weren’t kidding about hanging this backward as wall art, either! For more information visit http://www.t-falusa.com/
Analon Vesta Cobalt Cast Iron Skillet
Many chefs swear by cast iron pans as being the best for cooking, braising, etc. In the old days, cast iron was simply a dull metal color, but not Anolon®Vesta Cast Iron Cookware!
First available in paprika, now Anolon has a cobalt blue line that’s really pretty. The Anolon Vesta Cast Iron collection features solid cast iron construction (with cast iron handles) and an elegant glossy enamel porcelain exterior and a cooking surface of non-reactive black enamel porcelain. The interior resists stains and doesn’t require seasoning.
Cast Iron can be a bit weighty but are really good for slow-cooked foods, such as stews and casseroles, savory braises, soups, risotto, and other one-pot meals. You can take your meal directly to the table if you wish, and you can put it in the oven ( safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit).
There are plenty of pieces of the new cobalt Anolon Vesta Cast Iron collection to choose from, but we selected this 10-inch Open Skillet($69.99) because it’s a good size for most chefs to handle for just about any type of food. You can purchase Anolon pans in many retailers, but for more information visit https://www.anolon.com/
Bialetti Pasta Pot
The original Bialietti Pasta Pot 5 qt size $24.99
How many times have you held a heavy pot of hot pasta to drain out the boiling water, and the pasta just slithered out past your colander and into the sink?
That won’t happen with this nifty Bialetti Pasta Pot ($34.95) with its vented, locking, “strain & drain” lid that holds fast to the chic, oval non-stick bottom.
Strain your pasta in the pot and then use the brightly colored pot (available in black, orange, purple or red) to serve in, if you wish.
Large handles on either side make even the heaviest pot of pasta easy to grip without getting burned or slipping on the handles. We love the oval shape that not only looks nice but accommodates virtually any size of pasta.
The 5 quart pot is made of aluminum and both the top and bottom are PTFE non-stick coated. You can’t use this pot in ovens, but it is dishwasher safe.Bialetti cookware is also safe to use with nylon, silicone or wood utensils but not metal utensils.
What we love so much about this pot is that you can also use if for other than pasta, such as boiling fresh ears of corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, eggs and even seafood.
Bialetti calls their pot “the original.” We are assuming there are copies, but this one works beautifully and makes a great gift. You can find this in a number of retailers, and visit http://www.Bialetti.com
Lagostina Copper Pans
Do you want to make a cook really happy? Get them a copper pan from Lagostina!Copper pans are so luxurious and so beautiful to look at. Lagostina makes them practical, too.
Copper pans are so luxurious and so beautiful. Lagostina pans are the “Cadillac” of copper!
Founded in Omegna , Italy in 1901 by Carlo Lagostina and his son Emilio, Lagostina specialized in manufacturing tinplate cookware. But after discovering the first stainless steel plate at the 1929 Milan Trade Show, the founder’s grandnephew recognized the exceptional qualities of stainless steel to enhance cooking performance.
We tested the Lagostina Martella 8″ skillet ($80.00) which feels like fine jewelry. The hammered outside is like a work of art but this is a high-performance pan. Tri-ply technology combines 18/10 stainless steel inside and hammered copper outside with a thick heat-radiating aluminum core for optimal heat distribution throughout the entire pan and the edges are flared so you can pour without dripping.
This particular 8” Skillet is particularly useful for frying and searing food and the pan can be used with any stovetop except induction heating. The pan features a cast stainless steel riveted, stay-cool handle.
The cast stainless steel riveted, stay-cool handle is substantial and makes it easy to lift the pan even when it’s hot and full of food. We will just come out and say it: this pan is luxurious and gorgeous!
Copper pans require some maintenance and care, but they’re so worth it! If you have $500+ for a big ticket gift, spring for a set.
For more information visit http://www.lagostinausa.com/
