State Fair Cookware vs. World’s Finest by Maxam

Have you ever attended the State Fair and watched a cookware demonstration? If you are like me, you were soon captivated by the sales pitch. You were already envisioning using this cookware in your kitchen. Then they mention the price which, depending on the composition of the specific set, can range from $1,500 to $3,000. West Bend and Regal are excellent brands. I am sure that the claims made by the demonstrators are all true. The unfortunate reality, however, is that not everyone can afford to spend a couple of thousand dollars for a quality cookware set.

The good news is that you do not have to. There are many companies on the Internet that offer comparable cookware at a fraction of the cost. One set to consider that is comparable to the expensive brands shown at the State Fair is Maxam’s 17 pc. 9-element Steam-control set. Maxam even offers a Salad Maker with 5 cutting blades similar to that offered at the State Fair for a little over $100.

The KT17 set is truly one of Maxam’s finest! Cooking will be a dream with this set! This 17 pc. set is considered to be one of the highest quality Steam Control Surgical Stainless Steel "Waterless" cookware sets that Maxam makes. Each piece of this KT17 set is constructed of extra heavy surgical stainless steel and guaranteed to last a lifetime. The 9-element (layer) construction spreads the heat quickly and evenly. The 9-ply construction includes the following elements:

• Chrome
• Nickel
• Manganese
• Silicon
• Aluminum
• Iron
• Copper
• Molybdenum
• Vanadium

The chrome adds longer life, the iron adds strength and the copper adds durability to this quality cookware. The steam control valve makes "waterless" cooking easy. You can cook healthier in this cookware because it eliminates the need for grease or oil in cooking. To use the steam control valve, start cooking on medium heat (never use high heat). Then, when the valve begins to whistle, close the valve and turn the heat down to low and finish cooking. The 9-element construction allows you to stack cook with this cookware. Begin cooking on individual burners and when the valve whistles, you can stack the pans to finish cooking. The phenolic handles are superbly styled and are resistant to heat, cold and detergents. This set includes a cookbook with instructions and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Before you invest up to $2000 in cookware, consider our advantages and superior features. Waterless cookware Set Contents

• 1.7 qt covered saucepan
• 2.5 qt covered saucepan
• 3.2 qt covered saucepan
• 7.5 qt covered roaster
• 11-3/8" skillet
• Double boiler unit with capsule bottom that can also be used as an extra 3 qt pan
• 5 egg cups
• 5 hole utility rack
• High dome cover for skillet or roaster
  
  Some additional key features about this product:


• Stack Cooking - The 9 element construction allows stack cooking with this cookware. Start by cooking on individual burners. When valve whistles, you can stack the pans to finish cooking. Double Boiler Unit - the double boiler unit has an encapsulated bottom so that it can be place directly on your stove-top as a cooking utensil when not being used as a double boiler unit.


• Size - A description of the size of each pot is clearly visible on the bottom of the pan


• Handles - The phenolic handles are resistant to heat, cold, and detergents and have been tested for durability in ovens up to 350 degrees. However, the manufacturer does not recommend placing the pots in an oven. They are really made to be used on a stove top. This cookware actually allows you to bake food right on top of your stove. Each handle is molded with a large eyelet that permits you to hang your utensils. Also, for convenient storage, you can invert the cover, nest it in the proper pan, and hang or stack your cookware.
  

Shop around. There will be quite a variance in price but you should be able to purchase this set for between $230 and $280. Though the price difference between State Fair sets and those sold on the Internet is considerable, you will notice that, upon comparison, the actual differences between this set and the more expensive State Fair sets are negligible. Maxam also offers the KT17ULTRA set that sells on the Internet for approximately $100 more than the KT17 set. The reason this set is more expensive that the KT17 set is that it contains a carbon steel core between the stainless steel layers. If you have an induction stove, then this is the cookware for you. Induction stoves use a magnetic field to heat the cooking pan, which then heats the contents of the pan. The cook top itself stays relatively cool. With induction cooking, you need a cooking pan that will attract a magnet and has a flat bottom. The carbon steel in the construction makes this possible. A flat-top or ceramic top stove is not an induction cook stove.

If you are interested in owning a quality waterless cookware set, check out http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/ for some great deal of stainless steel cookware set as well as other gourmet accessories.In addition, we offer tips for cooking with waterless cookware, cleaning your stainless steel cookware, and great recipes to try with your waterless cookware.

Adapting Recipes for Waterless Cookware

Many of us want to cook healthy meals that are both pleasing to the eye as well as to the palate. There are literally thousands of cookbooks on the market that help us with that daily task of meal planning and preparation. Yet when it comes to waterless and greaseless cooking, there are very few cookbooks available. To enjoy a variety of recipes and receive the benefits of cooking without water and added fats, you will need to adapt recipes. The easiest way to do that is to know and trust your cookware. Three things are important in this process:

Use Lower Temperature Settings

One of the benefits of quality stainless steel waterless cookware is the way it conducts heat—on low. One common mistake is to use a heat setting that is too high. Waterless cookware has a flat bottom. This bottom of a waterless cooking pan needs to be flat to provide for even heat distribution. The special design of the encapsulated bottom of each stainless steel pot provides strength and rigidity that prevents warping. It also eliminates hot spots that may burn food. Heat is distributed evenly in all directions.

Understand Waterless Cooking

Rinse and freshen vegetables. Pour off excess water, cover utensil, close vent, set on low heat, and remember not to peek. These are the basic principles of waterless cooking. Every time you lift the cover moisture is allowed to escape. This can result in burned foods and/or extra cooking time. Always use the correct size pan. Vegetables should fill or almost fill the pan. If there is too much air inside the pan, the vapor seal will not form, and vegetables will burn. Many foods, like fruits and vegetables, have their own moisture. You can retain the natural moisture by cooking with low heat, the cover on, and the vent closed. There is an exception however. Dried foods, such as rice, pasta, or dried beans will have to additional moisture added to rehydrate.

Enjoy Greaseless Cooking

You really can prepare your foods without added oils and fats. Remember, you are cooking on a surgical stainless steel surface. To prepare meats, preheat the pan on medium to medium high heat until water drops “dance” when they are sprinkled in the pan. Place the meat in the pan. It will immediately begin to sear, temporarily sticking to the surface. You should not try to move them until they are ready to turn. After 4 or 5 minutes, lift the corner of the meat. Do not force. The meat should release itself. When that side is seared, turn and cook on the other side for additional 4 or 5 minutes. Most meats, chicken, chops, and fish have natural fats and oils, so you don’t need to add them. Eggs, however, have no natural oil. You must add vegetable cooking spray to the pan or use a small amount of butter or margarine.

We hope you found this information helpful. Click for great cooking tips and recipes! We have also included some great waterless cooking recipes on our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/healthywaterlessrecipes.html. We just added some tasty recipes for July to our site. We also have some great deals on waterless cookware sets and pieces.

Cooking with Waterless Cookware

Switching from traditional cookware to waterless stainless steel cookware may seem a bit threatening—but it needn’t be. If you follow the basic principles of waterless cooking, you will find cooking to be a pleasurable and tasty culinary experience. Initially, you may want to follow the guidelines provided by experts in the field of waterless cooking. However, once you have the basic techniques mastered, you will easily be able to transition your basic recipes to the waterless, greaseless way of cooking. For those beginners who would like a cookbook to help guide them in the initial stages, I would recommend three that are authored by Charles Knight, who is recognized worldwide as the foremost expert on the classic methods of waterless, greaseless cooking.

1. “The Better Health Cookbook” an instructional cookbook by Charles Knight. Copyright: 2005.


2. “Healthy Meat and Potatoes” by Charles and David Knight. Copyright: 2001. This cookbook has a section on waterless cooking techniques as well as a number of great basic recipes.


3. “A Guide to Waterless Cooking” by Chef Charles Knight. Copyright: 2009. In addition to a wide variety of new recipes, it has sections on Basic Cookware Care, The Vapor Seal Method, Basic Product Information, Adapting Recipes, Nutrition Basics, Nutrition Facts and Basic Cooking Instructions.

We hope you found this information helpful. Click for great cooking tips and recipes! We have also included some great waterless cooking recipes on our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/healthywaterlessrecipes.html. We just added some tasty recipes for July to our site. We also have some great deals on waterless cookware sets and pieces

Advantages of Using Waterless Stainless Steel Cookware

Whether an experienced cook or just a novice, stainless steel cookware will make your life in the kitchen easy and pleasurable. Stainless steel cookware has become increasingly popular. Why? Stainless steel cookware is made up of a mixture of metals. It combines iron, nickel, chromium, and several metals. Because stainless steel by itself is not a good conductor of heat, the additional metals offer the user the best of all worlds. The encapsulated bottoms normally have copper or aluminum components that allow for even distribution of heat. You never have to worry about hot spots!

Stainless Steel Cookware Advantages

The popularity of stainless steel can be attributed to its advantages. They include:

• Surgical stainless steel is both durable and tough. With proper care, it should last for a lifetime. It is not prone to chipping, rusting, or even staining. It won’t dent or scratch easily. You don’t have to worry about particles from the pan getting into your food. While stainless steel cookware is made up of steel and other metal alloys, it is only stainless steel that is on the outer portion of your cookware. Therefore, you will never taste any of the metal alloys in the food that you cook. The non-stick protective coating prevents that from happening.


• Stainless steel is hard and non-porous. This makes it crack proof and leak proof. Because of its surface, it is typically found in hospital environments because it one of the most sterile surfaces. The 304 surgical stainless steel prevents the growth of bacteria because it is corrosion resistant, temperature resistant and is not easily scratched or warped. With proper care, stainless steel cookware will remain looking like new for quite some of time.


• Easy Maintenance. Proper maintenance is not time-consuming; yet, it can insure will look like new 10 to 20 years from now. Stainless steel contains nickel, an alloy that helps it maintain that polished new look.


• Multi-ply stainless steel cookware disperses heat evenly. Stainless steel is not a good conductor of heat. However, the aluminum added to the bottom improves this heat transfer process. This ensures that heat is distributed throughout the pan and food is cooked evenly and quickly.


• Stainless steel cookware is perhaps the safest cookware to use. Unlike Teflon, particles from the pot or pan will never chip off and enter into your foods. You do not have to worry about metal poisoning. However, there is one exception. If you are allergic to nickel, you should avoid using stainless steel cookware.
  

If you use waterless stainless steel cookware, cooking and eating will be a pleasure. Not only will you be cooking healthier because you are using less fats and oils in the food preparation process, but going waterless means that your foods are cooked in their own juices. The result—enhanced flavor and texture with minimal loss of vitamins and minerals.

The set we are currently recommending is Maxam’s 17-piece Waterless Stainless Steel Set. This is one of Maxam’s finest! Cooking will be a dream with this set! This 17 pc. set is considered to be one of the highest quality Steam-Control Surgical Stainless Steel "Waterless" Cookware Sets that Maxam makes. Each piece of this KT17 set is constructed of extra heavy surgical stainless steel and guaranteed to last a lifetime. The 9-element construction spreads the heat quickly and evenly. The 9-ply construction includes the following elements: chrome, nickel, manganese, silicon, aluminum, iron, copper, molybdenum, and vanadium. The Chrome adds longer life, the iron adds strength and the copper adds durability to this quality cookware.

The steam control valve makes "waterless" cooking easy. You can cook healthier in this cookware because it eliminates the need for grease or oil in cooking. To use the steam control valve, start cooking on medium heat (never use high heat). Then, when the valve begins to whistle, close the valve and turn the heat down to low and finish cooking. The 9-element construction allows you to stack cook with this cookware. Begin cooking on individual burners and when the valve whistles, you can stack the pans to finish cooking. The phenolic handles are superbly styled and are resistant to heat, cold and detergents. This set includes a cookbook with instructions and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Waterless Cookware Set Contents:

1.7 qt. covered saucepan

2.5 qt covered saucepan

3.2 qt covered saucepan

7.5 qt. covered roaster


11-3/8" skillet


Double boiler unit with capsule bottom that can also be used as an extra 3 qt pan


5 egg cups


5 hole utility rack

High dome cover for skillet or roaster

Some additional key features about this product:

Stack Cooking - The 9 element construction allows stack cooking with this cookware. Start by cooking on individual burners. When valve whistles, you can stack the pans to finish cooking.
Double Boiler Unit - the double boiler unit has an encapsulated bottom so that it can be place directly on your stove-top as a cooking utensil when not being used as a double boiler unit.
Size - A description of the size of each pot is clearly visible on the bottom of the pan
Handles - The phenolic handles are resistant to heat, cold, and detergents and have been tested for durability in ovens up to 350 degrees. However, the manufacturer does not recommend placing the pots in an oven. They are really made to be used on a stove top. This cookware actually allows you to bake food right on top of your stove. Each handle is molded with a large eyelet that permits you to hang your utensils. Also, for convenient storage, you can invert the cover, nest it in the proper pan, and hang or stack your cookware.


This set is a great all-around set and will serve you well and it is currently selling at a great price--$234.95. If you have an induction stove, however, you will need special cookware. We have a model KTULTRA that is similar to this one. However, it has special carbonized steel in the inner layers and is more expensive.

We hope you found this information helpful. Click on http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/ for other great cooking tips and recipes and great deals on waterless cookware! We have included some great waterless cooking recipes on our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/healthywaterlessrecipes.html This month we are featuring a fantastic Father’s Day Menu plus some great summer chicken recipes!

How to Care for Your Stainless Steel Cookware

If you have purchased waterless stainless steel cookware or are in the process of shopping around for quality cookware, you already know that stainless steel cookware is not cheap. If you purchase this type of cookware from a home show, county or state fair, you could as much as $2000 or more. If you purchase from one of the many reliable internet stores, you may still pay $200 to $300 for a good quality set of stainless steel cookware. Whatever the investment, you can be assured that it is money well spent. Once you start using waterless cookware, you will never want to return to conventional cookware. BUT the big question--what about maintenance?

Normal Maintenance

Generally, stainless steel does not require a lot of maintenance. With daily usage, hand-washing your cookware in hot, soapy water and drying it thoroughly with a soft cloth before storing away is recommended. While it is dishwasher safe, many experts feel that the detergents may have a negative effect on stainless steel cookware over time. If you decide to use the dishwasher, it is recommended that you remove your cookware after the wash cycle and dry by hand to avoid water spots.

General Stainless Steel Cookware Cleaning Tips

• If your water has high calcium content, you may notice a white, chalky residue on your cookware. When this appears, simply fill the pot or pan with 1 part of vinegar to 3 parts of water. Bring it to a boil, let it cool, and then wash thoroughly with hot soap water and dry.
  
• Burnt-on food—Fill you pan with warm soapy water—enough to cover the entire area—and let sit for an hour. Then bring the pan to a boil on the stove for about 10 to 15 minutes. Let the water cool. Scrub with a nylon scouring pad. Wash out again with hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry. Repeat this process again if the stain is particularly stubborn.
  
• Use non-abrasive cleansers like Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser or Bar Keepers Friend for general cleaning and stain removal. Your cookware should remain looking like new.
  
• NEVER use steel wool on stainless steel cookware. The metal scouring pads or abrasive cleaners might remove the stuck-on food, but they might also scratch the surface of your cookware. Use nylon-net scouring pads, plastic or nylon brushes.
• Never use chlorine bleach or ammonia-based cleaners on your cookware.

In summary, with proper care and maintenance, your stainless steel cookware will last a lifetime. Your investment in quality waterless cookware allows you to provide healthy, nutritional meals for your family. Protect that investment by taking the time after each use to wash in warm soapy water and properly dry before storing. Occasionally apply a good-quality stainless steel cleaner to it. These simple techniques will keep your cookware looking bright and shiny and keep your foods from sticking in the pan.

We hope you found this information helpful. Click on http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/ for other great cooking tips and recipes as well as great deals on waterless cookware! We have included some great waterless cooking recipes on our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/healthywaterlessrecipes.html This month we are featuring a fantastic Father’s Day Menu plus some great summer chicken recipes!

Pan Broiling – The Healthy Way to Cook!

When pan broiling using waterless, greaseless cookware, heat is conducted very efficiently through the cookware to the meat. The multi-layers of the cookware (waterless requires a minimum of 5 layers) allows for quick and even heat distribution. Thus the meat’s surface tends to caramelize or brown very quickly (5 to 10 minutes). No fat is required in the cooking process. After the initial browning, the heat should be reduced to prevent the meat’s surface from toughening. If you cover the pan, water vapor will be trapped and more of a basting process will occur. Therefore, you MUST leave the steam vent OPEN when pan broiling (frying.)

How to Cook the Perfect Steak

According to David Knight, a chef, author, and master of waterless cooking, cooking a steak is an art. Practice makes perfect. During the searing and cooking of steaks, it is best to put the cover on and leave the vent open. Crowding in the pan or cooking at too low a temperature, and covering, may cause the steaks to steam. Because of the different textures, cuts and thickness of the meat, learning the feel of the desired doneness by pushing down on the center of a steak with a fork is by far the best method over attempting to time for desired doneness.

The Doneness Test

Turn the palm of your left hand up and spread your fingers apart.

Rare: Rest your left thumb against your left forefinger and press down on the soft fleshy part at the base of your left thumb with your right forefinger. That what rare feels like.

Medium-Rare: Place your left thumb directly over the center of your left forefinger and press down on the soft fleshy part at the base of your left thumb with your right forefinger. That’s what medium rare feels like.

Medium: Place your left thumb in between your left forefinger and your left middle finger and press down on the soft fleshy part at the base of our left thumb with your right forefinger. That’s what medium feels like.

Medium Well: Place your left thumb directly over the center of our left middle finger and press down on the soft fleshy part of your left thumb with your right forefinger, that’s what medium-well feels like.

Well-Done: Place your left thumb in between your left middle finger and your left ring finger and press down on the soft fleshy part of your left thumb with your right forefinger. That’s what well-done feels like. Cook for 8 to 9 minutes more after searing.

Try this method with this steak recipe!

Filet Mignon Bordelaise

4 (about 3 oz. filet mignons
Bordelaise Sauce
1 tsp chopped fresh parsley leaves

Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle a few drops of water in the pan. If the water droplets dance across the pan, the pan is ready. If the water evaporates, the pan is not hot enough. Place the filets in the hot, dry pan, which will be about 400 degrees F. Cover the pan, open the vent and dry sauté until the filets release easily from the skillet, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the filets, cover the pan, and brown on the other side until the filets release easily from the skillet, 4 to 5 minutes. Cook to desired doneness (see doneness test above).

To serve, place the filets on dinner plates and top with the Bordelaise Sauce and sprinkle with parsley.

Bordelaise Sauce

1 small onion, finely minced
1/2 medium carrot, diced
1/2 stalk celery, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 small bay leaf
1/2 cup Bordeaux or other dry red wine
1 1/4 cups beef stock
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Roux

In a hot, dry pan over medium heat, dry sauté the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic until slightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the parsley, thyme, pepper and bay leaf.

Slowly stir in the wine. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half. Add the stock, lemon juice and roux and whisk vigorously to incorporate the roux into the sauce. Simmer to desired consistency. Season to taste and serve hot with filet mignon.

To make roux, melt 8 Tbsp. butter until slightly separated, simmer for 1 or 2 minutes. Do not allow the butter to burn or turn brown in color. Stir in a bit of flour at a time (up to 1 cup), stirring occasionally. The roux is cooked through when it is light blond in color, about 10 to 15 minutes. Extra roux can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

We hope you found this information helpful. Hopefully over the course of the summer, you will have an opportunity to try out this technique. Click on http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/ for other great cooking tips and recipes as well as great deals on waterless cookware! We have included some great waterless cooking recipes on our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/healthywaterlessrecipes.html This month we are featuring a fantastic Father’s Day Menu.

CHARACTERISTICS OF WATERLESS COOKWARE

We are often asked by potential customers how our brand of cookware compares to other brands. This is difficult to answer because I do not know the in-and-outs of their product like I know mine. I do know, however, that not all stainless steel waterless cookware is quality cookware and for cookware to be categorized as waterless, four requirements must be present:

• A high-grade stainless steel must be used. Waterless cookware must be a minimum of 5-ply. You will often see advertisements for products with 7-ply or 9-ply or possibly more. More plies means more layers. However, beyond a certain point, the actual number of plies is more a marketing tool and a cooking requirement. When you have a good grade of stainless steel, the cookware is easy to clean. Further, surgical stainless steel is one of the most sterile environments in which to cook. You never have to worry about coating from other metals leeching into your foods, as can happen with Teflon or aluminum. To some degree, the layering is important. Stainless steel is a great material for waterless cooking, but stainless steel is not known for fast heat transfer. Thus, the addition of a layer of aluminum in. The center of the stainless steel provides for the fast and even distribution of heat.
• A Flat-bottomed pan is needed for efficient heat transfer. The bottom of a waterless cooking pan needs to be flat to provide for even heat distribution.
• A thicker bottom plate is necessary to evenly distribute the heat. The special design of the encapsulated bottom of each stainless steel pot provides strength and rigidity that prevents warping. It also eliminates hot spots that may burn food. Heat is distributed evenly in all directions.
• A special lid is used to keep the steam from escaping. Waterless cooking will not work if a proper seal cannot be formed. When a seal is created, it locks in the natural moisture that escapes from the food during the cooking process. Thus, foods are cooked in their own natural juices, retaining vital vitamins and minerals. This is really the key to waterless cooking—a vapor seal must be created. To get this vapor seal, simply start cooking your food over medium heat until the steam control valve whistles in the open position. Then, turn down the heat to a low simmer and close the valve. At this point, the lid will form an air-tight seal. Note: If steam is escaping around the lid, reduce heat to a lower setting.

While I cannot speak for other brands, I can tell you that our Waterless Cookware sets meet the criteria above. Maxam Cookware has over 50 years of experience and research going into the production of its products. It also offers a Lifetime warranty on all of its products.

We hope you found this information helpful. Check out our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/ for great deals on waterless cookware as well as cooking tips and recipes! We have included some great waterless cooking recipes on our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/healthywaterlessrecipes.html This month we are featuring a fantastic Father’s Day Menu.

Adapting Recipes for Waterless Cookware

I love to cook and while I have scads of cookbooks and am always on the lookout for new recipes to try, I find it difficult to find cookbooks that specialize in waterless, greaseless cooking. Many regular recipes can be adapted to cooking waterless or greaseless—the key to preparing a great meal is simply knowing and trusting your waterless stainless steel cookware.

Charles Knight in his cookbook “Healthy Meant and Potatoes” gives a couple of different techniques for cooking meals the waterless, greaseless way on the top of your stove—pan broiling, roasting and sautéing.

Pan Broiling and Sautéing

Because heat is distributed evenly and efficiently in high-quality waterless cookware, the meat surface will brown quickly, perhaps in 1 to minutes. No fat is necessary for cooking. When the meat is browned sufficiently, it should release easily from the pan. In this initial browning state, the heat can be higher. However, once the meat is browned the heat should be reduced to prevent the meat from toughening. When the pan is covered, water vapor is trapped and a basting-like process takes place. When pan frying, therefore, you should OPEN the vent.

Roasting

You can brown and roast –all on the top of your stove—in a relatively short period of time. To prepare a roast, follow these simple steps:

• Preheat your pan’s bottom on medium or medium high heat. To test it, sprinkle a few droplets of water into a pan. If the water droplets sputter around the pan, your pan is hot enough to quickly brown your meat. If the water droplets evaporate, then the pan is not hot enough.


• Season the meat to taste. Place the meat in the pan and brown on all sides—no oil is necessary.


• After meat is browned on both sides, cover the pan and reduce heat to medium-low. When bubbles begin to form around the cover, you have reached the proper cooking temperature for cooking. If there are no bubbles, the heat is too low. If there is moisture around the top of the pan, the heat is too high.
  
  When preparing dishes with waterless cookware, there are two methods commonly used—dry sautéing and wet sautéing.
  
  Dry Sautéing
  
  Dry sautéing involves cooking vegetables or meats in a hot, dry pan over medium heat until slightly browned. No oil is necessary. In fact, when vegetables are sautéed in oil, they do not caramelize properly and do not release the aromatic flavors into the dish being cooked. If you prefer to add oil or butter to your dish, it is recommended that it be added after cooking.
  
  Wet Sautéing
  
  Cook vegetables in a small amount of stock over medium heat.
  
  We hope you found this information helpful. If you decide that you would like to try out stainless steel cookware, check out our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/ for some great deals! We have also included some great waterless cooking recipes on our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/healthywaterlessrecipes.html This month we are featuring a fantastic Father’s Day Menu. The next article will feature a real comfort food cooked the waterless way. It is Bluephies’ (a favorite Madison restaurant) version of Chicken Pot Pie. It has become a favorite in our household and I am sure it will become popular in yours also.

WHY SHOULD I PURCHASE WATERLESS STAINLESS STEEL?

Several years ago, my husband and I were at our State Fair and, purely by change, encountered a waterless cookware demonstration in progress. My grandchildren were more eager to go on rides than watch a cooking demonstration so after 20 minutes or so, we moved on. However, I was so impressed by the demonstration that I circled back to the afternoon demonstration sometime later to get more information. After demonstrating and describing the many benefits of waterless cookware, I was ready to make the investment—until I heard the price! The cookware was fantastic, but I simply could not afford to spend over $2,000 on waterless cookware. My husband was with me and he made doubly sure I didn’t relent and make the purchase at that time. I was fortunate to find comparable cookware—Chef’s Secret by Maxam—that offered the same advantages of the West Bend cookware without the burdensome price tag.

Why Waterless Stainless Steel Cookware?
Many of us are concerned with the quality of food that we serve our families. We want to insure that the meals prepared are healthy and are willing to spend extra dollars on organic foods. In fact, purchasing organic food can add 15 – 20% to our food bills. Unfortunately this well-intended effort to insure our family’s health can be negated if we use old-fashioned cooking method or outdated or incorrectly-sized cookware.

The Key Advantages of Waterless Cookware

Healthier,Tastier Meals. Perhaps the most important benefit of using waterless cookware is the retention of the nutrients in our foods. With conventional methods, 42% of your food minerals are lost when you boil foods in water. With waterless cookware, foods retain up to 98% of their natural minerals. When food is cooked in its own natural juices, the flavor is outstanding. Once you taste vegetables cooked with this method, you’ll be amazed at how great the vegetables taste, even without the addition of salt or other spices!

Greaseless Cookware Uses Less Fat. When using quality waterless, greaseless cookware, you can cook vegetables and meals in a hot dry pan over medium heat until it is slightly browned. According to Charles Knight, world-renowned chef and author of “Healthy Meat and Potatoes,” some oil in our diet is necessary. The problem with sautéing in oil or butter is not so much the oil, but the process. He contends that when vegetables are sautéed in oil, they do not properly caramelize and release the aromatic flavor into the dish being cooked. When using the greaseless cookware, using minimal or no oil translates into less fat intake and lower cholesterol.

Energy Efficient. Whether waterless stainless or conventional stainless steel cookware, quality stainless steel is warp resistant. The multi-layers of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, and chromium allow for even heat distribution on low heat or medium heat. The built-in steam control valve whistles just like a tea kettle to let you know when to turn the heat down to low or a simmer. Whether using an electric range or a gas range, waterless cookware takes the guesswork out of cooking. If you follow the directions, vegetables will turn out perfect each and every time you prepare them.

Safety and Durability. With waterless stainless steel cookware, you don’t have to worry about toxic particles from the cookware itself getting into your food. Surgical stainless steel is perhaps the most sanitary product to use in cooking. The smooth, hard surface of the stainless steel is easy to keep shiny and looking like new. With proper care, a set of waterless cookware can last a lifetime. Maxam cookware stands behind their product and offers a lifetime warranty.

Even with waterless cookware, it is important to note that some recipes do need water or liquid. Dry products, such as beans, rice or pasta need some type of liquid and naturally soups, stews and sauces require liquid. Waterless cooking is used for vegetables and greaseless for meat and poultry.

We hope you found this information helpful. If you decide that you would like to try out stainless steel waterless cookware, check out http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/ for some great deals! We have also included some great waterless cooking recipes on our site http://www.thegourmetscookware.com/healthywaterlessrecipes.html