1. Posted by lil_wifey21 on Mon, Feb 12, 2007, 12:19 pm PST

Try using a 98% FF chicken broth instead of using Pam when cooking veggies. Try a chicken broth spritzer whenever your out of Pam. Thanks HG I love your tips and couldn't help adding to yours.

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2. Posted by barbc on Wed, Feb 14, 2007, 7:11 am PST

No Nonstick Pans! Ur eating the chemicals! Teflon is being banned from cookware for this reason Use a stainless pan with a non stick spray and u will get good results Buy a good quality with a heavy bottom and it will last for decades. Its the very cheap thin bottoms that will stick. Ur worth it!

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3. Posted by Michelle on Tue, Feb 20, 2007, 4:59 pm PST

Finally something useful for people to read! This is a pretty good article and you're right about measuring things. I used to pour cups of cereal but then I started to measure and count the amount of calories I ate. I cannot even imagine how many I must've eaten with the amount of cereal I put in my bowl before I began measuring everything!

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4. Posted by Blaze666 on Tue, Feb 20, 2007, 5:16 pm PST

Exercise caution when buying utensils, especially measuring equipment. If they look weird (too big usually), then they probably are inaccurate. It's worth it to spend more on brand name toys for your kitchen.

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5. Posted by landes9 on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 10:48 am PST

Don't forget slowly cooking less expensive meats give them the high dollar taste, the expensive cuts are made to cook fast and taste good, save money buy less expensive meat and cook it slowly

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6. Posted by bkind_2urself on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 10:54 am PST

The safety of non-stick teflon surfaces is being questioned after it was discovered that dangerous fumes are being emitted during cooking. The fumes from some non-stick frying pans in Australian households might be linked to the flu, infertility, thyroid and immune problems in laboratory animals and they can even kill birds. Bob Symons from the National Measurement Institute said chemicals - perfluorinated compounds - that come off over-heated frying pans are in the blood of 95 per cent of Americans. "Because these compounds are very persistent it takes a long time for them to break down and the more we're exposed the greater levels they're going to be in our blood," Mr Symons said. [Graph: Take a look at the toxic particles] "The longer they stay in the blood in our bodies the more chance they have to interact with ourselves and different organs." The dangerous chemicals can start coming off the pan when it reached temperatures between 315C and 350C. Scientist with the Environmental Working Group, Tim Cropp, said there needed to be a warning on the frying pans. "They haven't put a warning on the pans because that's where the people would see it and it would stop people from buying the pans," he said. [More info: Click here teflon links] "There's no requirement for anyone to be notified of the problems with these pans because most of it falls under consumer safety and because consumers aren't able to complain about this because they don't even know when they've been harmed." Dr Marianne Lloyd-Smith from the National Toxics Network said it was not just the flu we should worry about. "They've [the fumes] been shown by research from some of the manufacturers to cause cancer, to cause liver disease, reproductive problems and a whole load of developmental problems as well."

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7. Posted by debra d on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:10 am PST

as a housewares advisor at a major dept store i always let brides know that non stick pans can be ruined very quickly by using areosal non stick sprays. use spritzer style non stick

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8. Posted by p_cataldo on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:17 am PST

Not the greatest list I have seen, here’s my list of things i use all the time: None food items 1.Stainless steal pans – All Clad are really good 2.Very sharp Knives 1 strait edge 1 serrated – wusthof make a good knife 3.A large cutting board – plastic is what I use 4.A heavy large pot with a steamer insert 5.2-3 large serving spoons 6.Measuring spoon and cups 7.2- 3 stainless steal mixing bowls 8.Blender or food Processor – you really don’t need both if your blender is high end enough it will all process food Food items 1.Olive oil 2.Garlic 3.Onions 4.Spices/herbs 5.Marinades or salad dressings 6.Salt and pepper

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9. Posted by Obii on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:21 am PST

Barbara C is right. Nonstick pans are chemicals, and in the long run, they're worse than butter or oil. The spray is a much better choice.

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10. Posted by gramms22300 O on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:27 am PST

great article! I am happy to say I have all but the steamer! Time to go shopping!

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11. Posted by Shannon on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:38 am PST

I use extra virgin olive oil for almost everything, I don't know how I would cook without it. Tools-of-the-Trade makes GREAT cookware! You can find it at Macy's, it's not highly expensive, and really easy to clean. You can get stainless handels and then use your pots and pans in the oven!

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12. Posted by kishimojun on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:38 am PST

Add a mortar and pestle to the list of must haves--it really rejuvenates older herbs and spices, and is very handy if you dry your own herbs, too.

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13. Posted by jdpsmiley on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:39 am PST

Vidalia Chop Wizard, that chops onions and veggies/fruit for salads and stir fry.....love it! It makes prepping any meal SO FAST!

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14. Posted by pdogstroh on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:54 am PST

all of the above items don't mean nothing if you don't know how to use them or somewhat how to cook.

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15. Posted by hvykey on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:56 am PST

Some people think they are dangerous but a pressure cooker can cut your cook time in half. You just have to keep the fire low and watch them.

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16. Posted by Dan B on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 12:14 pm PST

Try instead of Nonstick using Anodized. There's 2 different versions. One w/ non stick. the other w/o. It's a little pricey, but has the benefits of non stick and Stainless Steel in one pan

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17. Posted by Amber S on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 12:15 pm PST

The study I saw said an EMPTY non-stick pan on high heat can release chemicals. A pan used at normal heat in a normal manner is not dangerous. If I find the study again I will post it.

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18. Posted by meredithb0867 on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 12:43 pm PST

I love to use unsweetened apple sauce in place of oil and butter when baking. Adds moisture without compromising taste. Plus, it measures the same on simple recipes!

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19. Posted by Rena on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 1:21 pm PST

Fresh herbs and olive oil for cooking and flavoring keep my family running to the table. If your food smells great and looks pretty, your family will eat it.

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20. Posted by Lisala07 on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 1:22 pm PST

I don't need no stinkin' spoons!

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21. Posted by Belle on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 1:27 pm PST

I ditched my food processor ages ago. It took up too much cupboard space for starters. Another must have is a crock pot. You can do pot roast, corned beef, stroganoff, chili, hot dips & more in them. I have 2, a big one for meals & a smaller one that I use to make hot dips. Cast iron skillets are much better but costlier to purchase. Instead of wasting your money on Pam, try the Great Value brand of non stick spray at Wal-Mart. I've been using it for 5 years now & it works just as well as Pam for 1/3 the price. kishimojun mentioned a mortar & pestle for herbs. I agree!!! I have to have one since some of my spices aren't used often enough. I have a steamer that I got this past Christmas & LOVE IT. My son & I are eating more vegetables now. The Mrs. Dash is a MUST for everyone's kitchen. My blender is a great addition. I use it to make smoothies or milk shakes instead of spending the money on ones from McDonald's, Jamba Juice or Coldstone Creamery. I'd also add glass mixing bowls to this must have list. I love my Pyrex set & don't use the plastic ones except for storage.

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22. Posted by hvykey on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 1:42 pm PST

Oh my gosh Belle a crock pot is an absolute must have I can not beleive she didnt mention them!!!!

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23. Posted by lawsn1 on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 2:08 pm PST

AMEN #24! With 2 daughters involved in EVERYTHING coming & going, we'd starve without my crock pot! Put something in it, go to school & dance practice, and a great dinner is ready when we get home! Another great investment was a set of cast iron skillets. It also makes cooking feel so nostalgic! But, just remember...being in a kitchen don't make you a chef anymore than being in a garage makes you a good drive. You've still got to learn and know what you're doing!

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24. Posted by Lindsey E on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 2:15 pm PST

The only problem with the cast iron skillet is you can't use them on glass top stoves. Keep that i mind. They are wonderful to have camping though. Another good thing to have in the kitchen that i would go crazy without is my easy chopper. throw two or three things in to chop, then throw that into the crock pot and not a whole lot of mess for an easy stew! Also, for a good, easy way to clean when your done...a product called Bar Keepers works wonders on the glass top stoves!

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25. Posted by Grillinman75 on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 2:21 pm PST

I use good quality knives (wusthof for examp), as far as the food processor, I may only use the thing a few times a year. Non-stick pans? Well I guess they can have both their pros & cons. Sure there's the whole "chem" thing, but that's usually @ temps that are a whole lot higher than everyday cooking requires. I use both types of pans, the only thing I don't care on the non-stick type is the kind of utensils you can use. Sometimes good ole' fashion stainless is the way to go!

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26. Posted by abbeyroad555 on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 2:21 pm PST

Not a bad list. Other items I would consider essential... 1. 8-10" Good quality chef's knife 2. Good set of heavy bottomed pans 3. Resealable Freezer Bags (they are great for preventing freezer burn and will also keep your veggies fresh longer if you place a moist paper towel inside bag before placing into refrigerator)

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27. Posted by tlfoseid on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 2:23 pm PST

Well, It looks like I need to go shopping. I recently moves so there are a few things that I still don't have:)

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28. Posted by jsutilla1518 on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 2:28 pm PST

I agree about non-stick pans! The chemical that is used in the coating contains formaldahide. YUK! Use stainless steel or enamel coated steel with the pam and you'll be fine! I can't live without my olive oil bottle and my slow cooker. Two must haves in MY kitchen!

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29. Posted by madphonietype on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 2:29 pm PST

Pam and other sprays are full of chemicals and leave a greasy residue on all your baking sheets and pans that is crazy difficult to get off...use a ff broth or a non-aersol spray aka spritz of olive oil instead. It's cheaper and more healthy.

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30. Posted by lilone_009 on Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 5:25 pm PST

Thanks HG! I always love your articles! They add to your daily emails! Also, I think you are correct in the above mentioned list.... since I'm NOT a culinary expert (like many others seem to be by their comments) I know I can really benefit from the items mentioned..... especially since I use them in my daily cooking!

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