Author Archives: kathiefitzpatrick1

About kathiefitzpatrick1

I am a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, but live in Washington state now. I've been a Realtor since 1994. I am also an author, and have a new interest in bringing out a series of children's books. The first is "The Wish," available on Amazon in print, Kindle and audio book by typing in The Wish FitzPatrick. With a history of home entertaining I have always had an interest in "The Gourmet Kitchen." Yes, I am a coffee and espresso lover myself!

Dutch Ovens

Dutch Oven Spice Red

Dutch Oven Spice Red

 

Envision this beautiful Teal Dutch oven in your kitchen today!

Envision this beautiful Teal Dutch oven in your kitchen today!

Cooking “Magic” in a Dutch Oven

 

Imagine this beautiful Dutch Oven on your stove today!

Imagine this beautiful Dutch Oven on your stove today!

Lodge EC6D43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Island Spice Red

Here is a review from a customer on Amazon:

I purchased this from Amazon around mid-December and have been using it probably 3-4 times/week since then. It is as well constructed as my mother’s Le Creuset french ovens, but at a much more reasonable price. I find Lodge products to be a good value, although this piece represents a departure for them as it is not made in the USA, but rather China. Nonetheless, it is very well constructed, with details like the black porcelain enameled rim of the pot and the lid setting it apart from some of the other inexpensive alternatives. I have used mine for mussels in white wine, no-knead bread (more on this below), stew, and various other dishes, and it has held up very well thus far. In another 20 or 30 years I should have a better idea of whether it will hold up as well as my mother’s LC pots, but the materials appear to be suitable for the long haul. At one-sixth the price of Le Creuset, I’m willing to take that bet.”

Click here to buy this Dutch Oven in Spice Red on Amazon:

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Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron 6.5 Qt Covered Round Dutch Oven

Envision this beautiful Teal Dutch oven in your kitchen today!

Envision this beautiful Teal Dutch oven in your kitchen today!

        From Kitchen to Table: Rich enameled finish offers elegant kitchen to table serving. Pre-chilling cookware in the refrigerator keeps foods such as fruit and pasta salads cool during serving.

  • Versatile: Perfect for baking, or traditional slow simmering favorite recipes to perfection.
  • Superior Heat Retention and Distribution: Distributes heat slowly and evenly to tenderize meats, poultry and vegetables
  • Stainless Steel Knob: Solid cast construction is extremely durable and oven-safe.
  • Oven-Safe and Compatibility: Compatible with gas, electric, ceramic glass and induction cooktops. Oven Safe up to 450 F / 232 C.

Click here to buy this beautiful Dutch oven from Amazon for your kitchen today!

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Cooks Standard 02490 Hard Anodize Nonstick Dutch Oven Casserole Stockpot with Lid, 7 quart, Black 

This Dutch Oven has a hard anodized surface is durable and harder than stainless steel.

  • Nonstick delivers exceptional performance and makes cleaning easy
  • Heavy gauge aluminum core provides even heat distribution without any “hot spots”
  • Dishwasher safe, Hand wash recommended, just wipe with a towel, no detergent or chemicals needed
  • Works on Gas, electric coil, hot plate and other type, Not for Induction stove, Oven safe to 500F, With glass lid oven max up to 350F

 

Black Stock Pot

Black Dutch Oven Stock Pot

Click here to buy this product on Amazon:

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 Spiceberry Home Cast-Iron Enamel Dutch Oven, 5-1/2 Quart, Eggplant Purple 

Enamel Spiceberry Pot, Open

Enamel Spiceberry Pot, Open

Spiceberry Dutch Oven

 

 Enjoy the excellent cooking characteristics of enameled cast cookware

  • Weighs about About 13 pounds – Much heavier than other brands for more even cooking and better results
  • Cast Iron Knob
  • Attractive color that fades from light to dark. Enamel finish resists sticking
  • Extra Large Handles for a sure grip, even with oven mitts

Here’s a review from a very satisfied customer from Amazon:

“This is the best kitchen/cooking purchase I’ve ever made. I was very skeptical about it, figuring you usually get what you pay for, but took a chance. It is far, far better than what I paid for it. I’ve cooked with Le Creuset for years and think they make great products. I bought this Spiceberry because I needed something for cabin cooking that would hold up to long stewing and oven roasting… multipurpose because space is at a premium. After two weekends and a week at the cabin, I took the Spiceberry 5-1/2 quart pot home for daily use and the Le Creuset is now at the cabin for occasional use. The spiceberry pot is just better. It’s noticably heavier and the walls and base are thicker which means more even cooking, less chance of scorching, and it keeps a meal warmer longer when you bring it to the table. It’s amazing. I’ve bought hundreds of products on, but have never written a review on, Amazon before, but I think spiceberry deserves it. The word needs to get out that there is a viable…. no, better… alternative to LeCreuset and it’s an American company who took the classic french oven and somehow made it even better. I’ve bought two for wedding gifts and the recipients are just as happy with them as I am. I’ll stop there. Thanks for reading.”

   Buy this beautiful Dutch Oven on Amazon:      

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Cook’s Tools Cast Iron Porcelain Dutch Oven (7Q)

Black Cast Iron Porcelain Dutch Oven

Black Cast Iron Porcelain Dutch Oven

 

Construction: Single layer Surface: Scratch-resistant

  • Materials: Cast iron Lid material: Cast iron
  • Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe, hand-wash recommended
  • Finish: Satin Dimensions: 11 inches wide x 15 inches long x 8 inches high
  • Oven safe to: 500-degrees Set includes: 7-quart, 5.5-quart or 3.5-quart black dutch oven.

Click here to buy this Dutch Oven on Amazon:

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Spiceberry Home Cast-Iron Enamel Brasier Covered Casserole, 4-1/2 Quart, Purple 

Strikingly bBautiful Casserole Dish for your Next Party!

Strikingly Beautiful Casserole Dish for your Next Party!

Spiceberry Enamel Casserole Dish

Spiceberry Enamel Casserole Dish

Click here to buy this Product on Amazon:

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Neet Organic Wooden Bamboo Cooking & Serving Utensils, kitchen utensils, 6 Piece Set BMB-U6

Wooden Utensils by NEET

Wooden Utensils by NEET

 

Click here to buy these wooden utensils on Amazon:

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Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven – Red Color with Lid, 3.2-quart – by Utopia Kitchen

Red Enameled Dutch Oven

Red Enameled Dutch Oven

 This enameled cast iron Dutch oven has outer diameter of 23 cm; height 10 cm and thickness of 0.60 cm is meticulously designed to serve you for years and decades to come by resisting to temperatures up to 500 degrees F

  • Enameled cast iron Dutch oven is ideal for braising and other methods that require long cooking over low heat or it can be used easily on the stove and as a serving dish on the table
  • Iron deficiency is fairly common worldwide especially among women so cooking food in a enameled cast iron dutch oven can increase iron content by as much as 20%
  • Cast iron Dutch oven may seem like an old fashioned choice in the kitchen but this dependable cookware is a must in the modern kitchen because it doesn’t leach chemicals
  • Allow enameled cast iron pans to cool completely before washing them in hot soapy water with a sponge using regular dishwashing liquid soap

                  

Stainless Steel Cookware

360 Stainless Steel Cookware

360 Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless Steel Utensils

Stainless Steel Utensils

Best Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Whether you are cooking for yourself and a spouse, a larger family or for entertaining, you will need to evaluate the best cookware for yourself. There is a wide range of styles of cookware, but stainless steel cookware is coming back around in popularity. The reason for this is that people would rather not figure out if other types of cookware have material on the cooking surface that is flaking off into the food they are cooking!

While many people who enjoy cooking have turned to nonstick cookware, in recent years there has once again been high interest in stainless steel cookware which has been returning in popularity because of its outstanding performance in the kitchen and long range durability. You will need a variety of sizes and types such as frying pans, saucepans or larger pots. Continue reading

Do you Need a Rice Cooker or a Food Steamer?

Rice Cooker . . . or Food Steamer?

Everyone is more concerned about health these days and that preserving of nutrients in food, particularly vegetables, is key.

The largest plus to using a food steamer rather than a rice cooker is its versatility.  The standard food steamer lets you cook  a complete meal from, meat to vegetables to rice all at the same time.  Most food steamers have tiers so you can cook more than one type of food at the same time, and each with their own compartment and herbs. You can successfully cook meats, rice and vegetables preserving both flavor and nutrients in a food steamer. Using a food steamer has a big advantage in versatility. Food steamers come with timers and you can enjoy your meal all ready to go when you come home from that hard day of work. As you consider whether you need a Rice Cooker or Food Steamer, here are some selections to consider:

 

T-fal VC1338 Balanced Living Compact 2-Tier Electric Food Steamer, 4-Quart, Black   by T-fal

This an easy and healthy way do make dinner!

This unit is a 4-quart capacity, 2 tiers of 2 quarts each.
• 2 tiers with one containing a removable plate for larger items
• This unit has digital controls with 60-minute timer
• Thus steamer is compact for easy storage
• This unit has a 1-year limited warranty

“My husband and I are enjoying our steamer. It makes dinner a snap! Chicken breasts in the top and potatoes and broccoli in the bottom and dinner is done in 30-45 minutes. Cleaning up is pretty easy. ” –Amazon Review

Click here to buy this product on Amazon:

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