i IMPROVECOOKINGPERFORMANCE I
SURFACECOOKING
should be heavy gauge and lined with
COOKINGUTENSILS anothermetal.
1.Flatbottomutensilsarethebestandmost G/ass ceramic's chief advantageis its
efficientinusingtheheatfromthecooktop multiuses;it cangofromfreezerto topof
(checkfor flatnessby rotatinga straight rangeorovento table.
edge ruler on the bottomof the pan,
checkingfor dips or unevenessas you 3.Thecorrectheatsettingfor eachutensilis
rotate).Unevenutensilscauseslowuneven very importantfor goodresults- check
cooking, your cookware directions for
recommendedheatsettingfor eachpan.
4. Utensils should have tightly secured
,_ handlesmadeofa heatresistantmaterial-
they shouldbefreeof roughedges,cracks,
wells, etc. that would makethem hardto
clean.
i. Mediumweightutensilsarebestsuitedfor
5. Teapots may havea ledgeor rim around
cooking becausethey heat evenly and
the bottom. If this ledgeextendsoverthe
quickly.Theyarealsolightweightandeasy heating element,or grate it can overheat
to handleeven whenfull. Saucepan and and damage the porcelain top and heat
broiler information listed below, elementor grate.
Aluminum is moderately priced, light-
weight,and a goodconductorof heat.The METHODS
heavierthe gauge(thickness),the more
durable.Aluminummaystainfrommineral Baste- Tomoistenfoodwhileit cooks,sothat
in waterandinfoods, the surfacedoesn'tdry out and flavor is
added.Meltedfat, drippings,sauceandfruit
Stain/ess stee/ is exceptionallydurable, juiceare the liquidsgenerallyused.
easytoclean,anddoesn'treactwithfoods
or detergents. Becausestainless steel _ ._
alQneisa relativelypoorconductorofheat,
it isusuallycombinedwithothermetalsto
providemoreevenheatdistribution.
Cast iron is heavyto handle,butdurable
and inexpensive.Cast iron heatsslowly
andretainsheatwell.It tendsto rustand
alsotodiscoloreggsandfoodscontaining Blanch-Tocookafewminutesinboilingwater
acidsuchaswineorvinegar, either to help loosenthe skin from some
Copper is good looking,very expensive, foods,orasastopinpreparingvegetablesfor
and an excellentconductorof heat. It freezing.
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