Karen B's New Dutch Oven Cookware Found At Sam's Club

I received for Christmas the best gift ever for the Kitchen. A 6.5 Quart Dutch Oven. The best part is that it didn't cost an arm and a leg either!

Sam's Club stocks them and guess what happy readers, there is a Lifetime Warranty that Sam's stands behind. For a fraction of the price... My husband mentioned he paid under $50.00 for it!

It is enameled cast iron, the real deal! I did season the exposed edges per the instruction card which you do need to read cooks!

I love it. It heats evenly, browns, oven proof, my new favorite piece of cookware. I have always wanted one but would never spend all the dough for one. So I am passing on this bit of savings to you all!

Costco carried a Mediterranean pot larger with a more rounded bottom but it was I think around $198.00 or so. I think we hit the jack pot ;)

I have made Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon to soup in my new pot which of course I will share.

Happy Cooking ;)

Nesting Mixing Bowls Must Have For Foodies, Cooks And Kitchens

Mixing bowls..... what to get, how to choose, what fits for you? Questions that come to mind? I am here to help you out ;)

We all need bowls, bowls for mixing cake mix, cookies, making pancakes, and salads. We need them to store left overs in, put dips in, kids projects etc. There are endless needs for bowls!

A good start is to find a great set of nesting bowls. Nesting bowls? Bowls that stack inside one another like above. If you don't have nesting bowls good luck on storing them in the cabinet.

Here are a few sets of my favorite nest bowls that I have and love.

This Pyrex set was given to my parents in 1960 for a wedding present! Look at them not a single crack or chip! They are wonderful because the have the spouts on both sides making it easy to pour out batter.

These "vintage" bowls are also oven proof and I use them today. If you see these at a tag sale, snatch them up they are great!

Martha Stewart had this exact same set on her show a couple weeks ago!

These little green gems are by Mario Batali. They are actually little measuring cups. As you can see the line on the inside is the 1/2 way mark. These are great for baking recipes where you have a ton of dry and wet ingredients. They can also be used for dips and sauces.

These bowls I have had a love affair with for many many years. They are my very first set. I got these when I moved into my first apartment. I believe they came from the supermarket believe it or not and they are yes "Pyrex" does that tell you something? They have to be 27 ish years old! Not a chip or crack.

Here we have stainless. Everyone needs some stainless. Easy to clean light weight. Great for marinating, baking every thing except oven proof! I like the little rings on the side. They make it easy to hold onto while stirring. Stainless is also great to use as a double boiler when melting chocolate.

Now here we have my "Grandaddy" of all mixing bowls!

The Le Creuset

They are beautiful if I do say so myself. My Mother bought these for me a few years ago for Christmas. We actually picked them out together. At a discount store no less! They were still a pretty penny but she saved a ton!

The only down fall to these Granddaddy's are that like the Le Creuset cookware they are extremely heavy. So when they are full you get a good arm workout. They are oven proof, dishwasher safe etc... beautiful bowls! Love them ;)

Just remember when purchasing mixing bowls. Get a set that will work for you. You don't need to have a ton, one good set will do. I do recommend a good oven proof set. What was that commercial "from freezer to the oven to the table". Keep that in mind while shopping. You may spend a little more but as you can see from my choices above they are well worth it.

Happy Cooking ;)

Cast Iron Cookware For Your Kitchen

The Holidays are here believe it or not. Family gatherings and parties are right around the corner. If you entertain and or love to cook having the best cookware is a must. Even if it is one item make sure it's a good one!

Every kitchen should have at least one cast cookware enamel iron roaster, baker or large deep fry pan. I prefer the French Oven or a Dutch Oven. It's a one stop shop piece of enameled cast iron cookware. You can make stew, soups, fry, sear, saute' and then pop right in the oven with out changing pans. Making Holiday meals so much easier.

The only thing that you need to know ahead of time that any cast cookware enamel iron pieces are extremely heavy compared to stainless cookware. A French Oven with a large roast will surprise you when you go to pick it up to pop it in the oven. You will need to use those are muscles!

A good piece of cast cookware enamel iron has wonderful heat retention and can be used on the stove top and oven. Making slow cooking and recipes easier with much better results than that old crock pot. Do your research before purchasing there is several Chef's out their now with their own lines, Emeril, Martha, Rachael Ray just to name a few so not to confuse you with the originals like Le Creuset or Lodge.

Hot New Finds: Starbuck's Ceramic Travel Mug

I have found the greatest item ever! Starbuck's has a ceramic travel mug! No not stainless or plastic but ceramic! I am so thrilled I just can't stand it ;)

I have never liked the taste of coffee in stainless or plastic cups, I have to have it in a ceramic cup or it just does not taste the same.

So I usually put my morning coffee in a regular old coffee cup and off I go. Maneuvering through bumps and traffic trying to hold the cup up so it doesn't spill coffee all over me or my car.

But not anymore. The other day I forgot my coffee and had some errands to run after dropping the kids off to school. I popped into Starbuck's to get just a regular Joe and waiting in line there gleaming on the shelf was their ceramic travel mug with a snap on leak proof lid! Like I said I was so excited.

It keeps the coffee very hot and I did burn my tongue so I have to be careful. It is double walled so the hot liquids stay hot but it's cool to the touch which is an added bonus. So very proud of my new mug!! I have been getting funny looks because of the mug, people aren't sure if Starbucks changed their carry out cups or what ;)

Happy Fall!

Tip Of The Day: Non Stick Cookware Safety

Spending an arm and leg on non-stick cookware only for it to not last long. Here are some simple helpful tips to maintain the life of your cookware and to keep them safe.

• When cooking with non-stick cookware never heat the pan on a heat higher than medium with out having any food in it.
• Purchase a higher quality cookware line that has a guarantee not to peel.
• Do not use metal utensils of any kind to flip or stir food! Do not even use a metal spoon to stir pasta thinking you will not touch the pan because you usually do :( One tiny scratch will lead to peeling.
• Do not use harsh cleaners on your cookware or scrubbing sponges that will scratch the cookware's surface.
• If your pans have little flakes from the pan peeling, throw it out! These will end up in your food and in you or your family.

Taking care of your cookware with prolong the life and keep them safe for you and your family.

Happy Cooking!