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Somewhere Between Elly May and Julia Child: Amateur Cooking with Big Ambitions
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items Sections
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Pots and Pans
Utensils and Such
Knives
Cookbooks
Tableware
Pots and Pans
An investment piece that is absolutely worth it! I use mine all the time and have never had an issue. There can be a slight learning curve if you are not familiar with coated ceramic, cast iron cookware. Never dry heat the pot and do not use metal ut...
Signature Round Dutch Oven
A bit pricy, but definitely worth it! I have two braisers: a smaller one with the cast iron lid and a larger one with the glass lid. I find that the braiser is a bit heavy with the cast iron lid, so I recommend that if you are getting a larger braise...
Signature Braiser
I love the glass lid version of the braiser for the larger sizes. The cast iron lid can make it a bit heavy and difficult to transfer from stove to oven. I have found that the glass lid retains heat and moisture just as well as the cast iron version.
Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Braiser with Glass Lid
Cooking on cast iron may seem intimidating and perhaps a bit difficult at first, but with patience and practice it soon became my favorite way to cook! I think an 8-12 inch cast iron skillet is a great, everyday pan to have and Lodge makes great, pre...
Classic Cast Iron Skillets
Utensils and Such
I use silicon whisks on my cookware I don’t want to scratch. I have found that cheaper silicon whisks chip away over time, but this whisk is still intact over hundreds of uses.
Revolution® Silicone Balloon Whisk
My favorite peeler! I like this shape of peeler and it stays sharper longer than other peelers I have tried.
Vegetable Peeler
I love these for a quick and easy wipe down of any of my pans, as they are safe to use on essentially any surface. They also work well for scarping bowls, measuring cups, or cutting boards, making prep time easier.
Pan Scrapers
Perhaps I’m overzealous when using a pastry cutter/blender, since I’ve broken several in the past. So far, this one from Lodge has held up extremely well! I use it most often for making pie crusts and tart doughs, but can be used for a wide variety o...
Pastry Blender
From basting to glazing to egg washing, this utensil gets plenty of use in my kitchen! I’ve had several, similar brushes from other brands over the years, which all broke or had the silicon head detach from the handle. However, this one from Lodge ha...
Silicone Brush
In an ideal world, I would have a hanging rack to hang my cast iron pieces on. In the reality I live in (aka my small, dated kitchen) I have them stacked in the cupboard. I like using these pads in between each pan to keep them safe and scratch free!
Cookware Protectors
I know they’re on the expensive side (and I was gifted them by a family member), but boy oh boy do I love these trivets! When moving quickly through the kitchen it’s nice to know that these trivets will latch on to the bottom of my pot, pan, or bakin...
Magnetic Wooden Trivet
Knives
Great for trimming steaks, chicken, or even a prime rib and can be used as a carving knife. Usually is on sale for around $45 and is also available on Amazon. It comes in a box and plastic sheath. I wish it came with an actual cover. The length can b...
10″ Butcher Cimeter Knife
A good chef knife is a staple in my kitchen! This one is a great, all-around knife that is also great for amateur cooks! Most cooking supply stores will also carry this brand or other chef knives of a similar price and quality.
Fibrox 8” Chef’s Knife, Extra Wide
Cookbooks
Love love love this cookbook! I really appreciate how this book goes into the basics of baking. Such as learning basic pastry doughs or terminology like stiff peaks, ribbons, and par baking. I also really like how she explains the importance of certa...
Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence: A Baking Book|Hardcover
Oh Julia Child the women that your were! I love French cooking and Julia really digs deep into the basics and methods. I understand that French cooking is not for everyone, but I also think that Julia’s books still give you some fundamentals that you...
Mastering the Art of French Cooking Boxed Set: Volumes 1 and 2|Hardcover
Another one of my favorite cooking fundamentals. Marcella gets down to the basics of traditional Italian cooking, which can be a bit intimidating and not quite what you might be expecting, especially if you are only used to American style Italian foo...
Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking (30th Anniversary Edition)|Hardcover
This cookbooks is filled with authentic Italian recipes, sourced directly with Nonnas throughout Italy. I love the variety of dishes from each region and how each woman has her own tips, tricks, and methods to share, as well as a little antidote abou...
Pasta Grannies: The Official Cookbook: The Secrets of Italy's Best Home Cooks|Hardcover
One of my most reached for cookbooks! The recipes are fairly simple, but rewarding. One of those cookbooks for comfort foods!
The Taste of Country Cooking: The 30th Anniversary Edition of a Great Southern Classic Cookbook|Hardcover
Tableware
It might seem old school, but I love the idea of picking out a dinnerware pattern. There’s something very personal and special about it. Growing up my mom had the same Corelle set and now as an adult, I love visiting her and seeing the same plates fr...
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