I've seen them in the stores. I've seen folks use them on TV, with what appeared to be delicious results. I kept telling myself, "You don't need it. You can make do with what you have." For years, I've tried, with mediocre results at best.
Until the day I was on the treadmill watching TV at the gym, and I saw it again. Shiny, hot, sizzling. I watched as Paula Deen put together another easy and delicious meal. That's when I made up my mind: I need a better fry pan.
Sounds silly? You must understand - I've tried to make decent meals for years. On occasion, I'll get it right, but most times I wind up frustrated and ordering a pizza. And there was the time I was frying up chicken for chicken parmesan, set off our fire alarm, and had to explain to the volunteer fire department that I wasn't burning the house down, just trying to put dinner on the table. Embarrassing to say the least.
It came down to this: like any other job, without the proper tools, you can't get the results. So I took a deep breath and walked through the doors into the chef's shopping mecca, Williams Sonoma. There, I cried on the saleswoman's shoulder - the failed attempts, the frustration, the humiliation, the family that won't eat (can you blame them?).
And like my fairy godmother, she led me to a wall of shiny cookware, the silver blinding me, winking in the artificial light, beckoning. She placed a fry pan into my hand, and I was sold. Culinary ideas raced through my imagination - the perfect meals I would make! The easy clean up! My family gathered around the dinner table, the smiles, the joy.
I put down my credit card and walked out with a 4 qt All-Clad sauce pan with spatter screen and lid. I drove home, still giddy with the possibilities.
Tonight, I fried up some perfect chicken breast fillets, crispy outside, perfectly done inside. We had the chicken with green beans, and twice baked potatoes (ok, from Omaha Steaks - let's not get too crazy here). My family ate every bite (almost - the girls aren't big green bean fans), and when I asked them if I should make this meal again, I got a resounding, "Yes!"
I guess culinary dreams do come true!
4 comments:
oh congrats! Now are you a cookbook ho too? I lurrrvve to collect cookbooks of all the great recipes I'd love to make!
As soon as I replace my defunct appliances, I will be replacing my cookware too! I bought a new knife the other day and can't believe I waited so long to do it. The right equipment really does make a difference!
Sounds like a great meal!!!
:)
I have one of those large sauce/fry pans, but I have never actually fried anything in it despite my fervent love for fried chicken. Cripes, I've never fried chicken! I have some things to add to my 'to do' list!
If you feel nutty, the Househusband of Hollywood sent me their twice-baked potato recipe.
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