With the holidays on their way soon, many people will be beefing up kitchens to handle the increased demand for ‘fit for a king’ meals. Not being a professional Chef should not stop you from being able to cook like one. But, you’ll need the right tools to create those tantalizing dishes. Read on and find out the five tools that no kitchen cook should be without. Mixing BowlsMake sure that you have a good, quality set of mixing bowls on hand – the bigger the better! Many dishes need to be beaten, blended or mixed. You will be glad you did not skimp on the mixing bowls when you need to perform any of those tasks. Most professional chefs prefer to use stainless steel mixing bowls. However, there are many quality plastic sets available, like the ones made by OXO. For more results visit us at www.july4-recipes.com. But be aware that plastic bowls can become hard to clean over time, especially if used for heavy duty sauces, and may need to be replaced.Pre-Seasoned CookwareCast iron skillets, pots and pans have long been a choice of the pros. Nevertheless, cast iron cookware can be a little daunting. Seasoning, pre-seasoning, re-seasoning, cooking the seasonings in, oils to use, etc. to ensure your skillet is ready, is a hassle many cooks would rather not deal with. Now you do not have to. You can buy cast iron cookware galore – already seasoned – so that you have no fuss and still get the same great benefits of those using simple cast iron. Lodge is a well-known maker of pre-seasoned cookware and offers many different types of cast iron cookware. Be aware –neither soap nor dishwashers should be used for your prized possessions.Specialty Measuring SpoonsIf you have ever seen one of grandma’s old recipes refer to a pinch, smidgen or dash and have had to take a guess at the meaning (and hope you are right) then you absolutely must grab a set of pinch, smidgen or dash measuring spoons. No more guessing or testing your interpretations on your guests (as fun as that may be). This set also makes a great conversation starter – especially at family gatherings where elder members may take you on a trip down memory lane.First out Pie SpatulaWhat could possibly ruin the perfect homemade Dutch crumb apple pie? Having it fall apart while you try to get that first piece out of the pie dish. Well, here is a secret of the pros – use a first out pie spatula. You bake the spatula in with the pie. When the pie comes out of the oven and cools, you make the cuts and lift that first piece out in perfect appetizing condition!Kitchen Companion GuideEver wonders how long you need to steam asparagus. Not sure how to stick a thermometer in a turkey? Never butterflies a pork chop before? You can also login on to www.apples-recipes.com. For all the weird, rarely used information you may need, while preparing a feast; you can turn to a kitchen guide. Look for a kitchen guide, which specializes in everything and anything you may need to know while cooking any meal in any kitchen.Many of the above items may not be featured at your local retail store, so you might want to find a local kitchen specialty store near you or do your shopping online. Nevertheless, if you enjoy the art of cooking and want to be armed with the best tools possible, you now have a few more to add to your arsenal, which will help you cook like.

If you are into the Western decorating theme, you can have a lot of fun using it to decorate your kitchen. In fact, you can take one element of the theme and go crazy with it. For instance, one Western decorating idea is to focus on a Western object like some cowboy boots or a cowboy hat. You can even combine elements and use both of them as your central decorating theme.

You can find all types of decor in the Western decorating theme. Try looking for cookie jars or other ceramics that you can sit out on your counter for an interesting effect. Also look for western themed curtains and light switch covers. One fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon is to scour the local antique shops for Western themed decor. You’ll be surprised at the interesting items you can find! You can use browns, red, navy, or cream to pull in the Americana theme to the mix as well.

One great way to pull off the theme is to also look for accents made of unfinished wood. You can often find tables and chairs that actually look like they were made with unfinished logs. These are perfect for a Western decorated kitchen. In addition, you can use photo frames that look unfinished and put pictures of your family or of western mountains and hills in them. You can also find many items made from tree branches or logs as well as items made from deer antlers and items covered in cow hide (either faux or real!)

Another great thing to use is copper or black iron accents. You can get away with either of these. If you have a pot hanger over your kitchen island, you should try mixing both copper pieces and cast iron pieces. In addition, you can even use cast iron skillets or pans as wall decor and hang them accordingly. And don’t forget pot holders, tablecloths and dish towels made with Western theme fabrics.

Try your own Western decorating ideas in your kitchen to see exactly what works for you and what doesn’t. The Western theme is perfect if you love to constantly feel like you are the “Wild West” or in a log cabin. It can look great in any home if you are consistent with the decor. Using Western style accents on the counters, window treatments, floors and walls will help pull the look together and make you feel like you are rustling up grub for your cowhands on a Western ranch even if you are living in a modern city home!

Lodge Original Finish 15 1 4 Inch Skillet with Assist Handle

15–1/4″ Cast Iron Skillet.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars It needs a lid!
This is a great skillet. It’s great for sauteing lots of vegetables (I did onions for french onion soup). I also used it to make Coq au Vin and it was great! I could have fit more than the dozen pieces of chicken I cooked in there. The only problem is that there isn’t a matching cover on Amazon and I don’t have a lid big enough for it! If anyone has found one, please let me know!

5 Stars Will NEVER be better than THIS baby!
My God I feel like such a MANLY man whenever I make this skillet hot! And it works like a dream! Now that it’s well seasoned it’s better that ANYTHING Teflon, glass, ceramic, stainless, ANYTHING! Very good design. Great even heat. Seasons well.

4 Stars Old fashion cooking
The lodge is a very heavy skillet. It is almost 15″ on the inside and requires a large burner for heating. Howver, it does cook very evenly. Clean up is simple, just make sure you have a large enough space for storage.

5 Stars As wonderful as expected
This pan lives up to the high quality I’ve come to expect from Lodge.

5 Stars Cookware for life!
I am absolutely sold on cast iron. I have 4 different size skillets plus covered casserole, fryer, dutch oven. I really enjoy using this giant one (pick your size for your crowd). I pre-heat it in a 350 degree oven for stove top cooking. I bake coffee cakes, corn bread and fritta’s in it. It’s roomy for grilling sandwiches. I have also broiled and “oven fried” meats in this skillet. I love to bake one pot meals (casseroles from cheese to rice)in the dutch ovens. Wet roasting is nice too but the pots do need to be re-reasoned after. I agree with two other reviews 1) clean up while still hot on the burner 2) no tomatoes! (acidic foods destroy the seasoned coating). Making gravy in these pans really cleans them up. I will never “need” to buy another set of cookware!

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Lodge Pro Logic Pre Seasoned 7 Quart Dutch Oven

The one thing that probably discourages more people from purchasing and using cast iron is maintenance. Like carbon steel woks, cast iron cooking pieces require “seasoning.” To many this is a mysterious or overly time-consuming process. Even if you treasure fond memories of eggs and pancakes cooked in grandmother’s ancient, blackened skillet, you might have no idea how to turn your new pan into such a treasure. Fortunately Lodge has come out with the new Logic line, which has been evenly coated on all surfaces with an electrostatic spray of vegetable oil. Next the cookware is put into an extremely high temperature industrial oven which bakes the coating into the surface. Not only will you be spared the time and effort of seasoning, but also the new piece you buy will look and perform better than if you had seasoned it at home. Just like that heirloom pan you will find that even pineapple upside down cake doesn’t stick to this surface. A perfect pot making pot roast, simmering slow-cooked stews, or making your own veal stock.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Very nice finish, came safe
Came safe, but I can understand how some people had broken handles. The OEM does not package in foam, just thrown in the box. Mine made it here safely.

The finish seems uniform, but I will likely season myself prior to first use.

5 Stars Just as expected
Being from the south, I have used iron skillets for more than 50 years. I presently have five. The seven quart Dutch oven is well seasoned and ready to go. I expected no less from the makers, fellow Tennesseans from little old South Pittsburg. After another couple of years of use it will be even more perfect.

Bill

1 Star dutchoven
this dutchoven was damaged on it’s interior as the finish was scraped off in 2 large areas from handling ( all the texture was gone as well as the pre-seasoned surface they advertise ) at mgf or the vendor it should have been a reject and am returning it this is one of my gripes about buying on line they pass off seconds and rejects counting on people just accepting it and not returning items that are obviously trash

5 Stars cooking in Lodge Iron dutch oven
There is nothing like cooking in Cast Iron everything cooks evenly its great best buy I’v made in awhile

5 Stars Impressive Cooking
We have been looking for a way to cook today’s beef roasts. Oven bags and crock pots have not produced the results we wanted(tender). We tried the dutch oven yesterday and it was great. The beef was tender and the potatoes and vegetables came out fine too. We were also impressed with the solid construction and quality fit of the Lodge Dutch Oven.

Don’t forget to get buy the “Cast-Iron Cooking for Dummies” book.

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Lodge 2 Piece Hot Handle Holder Set Red Pepper

One of the perks to using Lodge’s cast iron cookware is its superior heat retention. Unfortunately, that heat travels from the pan all the way up the handle, so indoor chefs and campfire cooks need to protect their hands. Lodge’s two-piece handle holder set comes with two festive black-and-red chili-pepper-printed mitts that slide right over pan handles. The exteriors are cozy cotton while silicone liners on the interiors keep the heat from radiating through the holders. –Cristina Vaamonde

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars nice touch
I got this, and a cast iron pan(my 2nd one)… and this is a lot better than wrapin a hot pad around it.. looks good 2!

4 Stars Cute and useful!
Slips easily on and off. Wish they had different sizes as not all handles are the same size. It’s too big for the 6 1/2″ skillet, but works fine for the 8″. I slide it back from the burner when not holding on, and I don’t put it in the oven. I think they are a great idea, and will buy more, hopefully in other colors.

5 Stars Perfect Size
This fits the Lodge cast iron pan handles perfectly and very convenient to use and clean.

I ordered this and the brush with my cast icon pan and it worked out great.

5 Stars A Must-have if you own cast iron skillets
These handle-cover pot holders are a must-have item if you use cast iron cookware. It really prevents burns and reduces the risk of “forgetting’ and grabbing hold of the hot handle. You can leave them on while cooking (as long as the handle is not too close to the flame. Anyone who uses cast iron should also have these handle covers.

3 Stars Not as described
These hot handle holders work well, but they are a lot smaller than described. Mine is only 5 3/4 inches long and 2 3/4 inches wide…a lot smaller than I expected.

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