Six Must-Have Pots and Pans in the Kitchen

Cooking pans are as important as other tools in the kitchen. Pots and pans help to cook different kinds of dishes. They minimize the mess while cooking. They make both cooking and cleaning process easier.

Some of the must-have pots and pans are as follows:

1. Skillet

Skillets are the most important cooking pans. The three essential types are stainless, cast-iron, and non-stick skillets. Non-stick pans let you use less oil. They help to cook soft foods without breaking them. Cast-iron skillets can handle high temperatures. They may also be used in the ovens. A stainless pan will be durable and is mostly used for cooking vegetables.

2. Wok:

Woks are used for stir frying, boiling, and making soup, among other things. A wok made up of both carbon and steel offers a good grip and is easy to move. It is also light in weight. The flat bottom of the wok helps the items to quickly gain heat.

3. Roasting Pan:

Roasting pans are a necessity in the kitchen. Choose a pan made up of heavy metals and having strong handles. Opt for the darker pans as they are ideal to make the food crispy and delicious.

4. Casserole Dish:

A casserole dish is a shallow dish made up of glass or ceramic. Glass dishes are cheaper than the ceramic ones. The dishes come in varied shapes and sizes. They may or may not have a lid. They look pretty when placed on the table. It is safe to place the ceramic dish under the broiler.

5. Slow Cooker:

Slow cooker helps to cook the food even when you are not around. Set a timer on the cooker. Once the time is up, the cooker will automatically switch to warm. It will stop cooking the food and maintain a temperature to keep it hot. A slow cooker doesn’t require your presence to prepare the dish.

6.  Dutch Oven:

Dutch oven helps in cooking a number of dishes like pasta, cornbread, and cake. They are either made up of stainless steel or enamel coated cast-iron. Choose a heavy and strong material of the oven as it helps in conducting the heat better and also saves the food from burning. When you buy it, make sure that the lid is tightly fitted. It helps to retain the moisture within the food.

These pots and pans come in varied sizes. Choose the best size suitable for your family. You may also opt for more than one size. Get all of these pots and pans and make your tasks in the Sleek kitchens simpler and swifter. 

Six Types of Baskets to Optimize Storage Space

Modular kitchens are intelligently designed, offering effective space management solutions. They make our lives organized. A clean and clutter-free kitchen always looks good. On the other hand, a messy kitchen even with the best decor will be displeasing.

Accessories and baskets in modular kitchens help to keep items organized. They make storage simpler and offer easy access.

There are varied types of functional and aesthetically pleasing baskets available for today's kitchen. Some of the most popular ones are described below. 

1. Hanging Baskets:
   
   Hanging baskets are propped on hinges and act as open cabinets. They are great to store frequently used utensils or food items. Wet vegetables may be stored here before placing them into the refrigerator. These baskets are made up of steel or wood. Wood baskets are ideal for food items and vegetables while steel ones are ideal for utensils.
   
2. Standing Baskets:
   These baskets stand at one corner of the counter-top. They are made up of stainless steel rods and hence are rust-free. Depending on the available space, you may choose the size. These baskets are used for storing plates, spoons, knives, and other cutlery.
   
3. Cutlery Baskets:
   You may also opt for special cutlery baskets to store your silverware. These are made of adjustable steel meshing material, so you may customize the compartments to fit items of different sizes.
   
4. Tray Baskets:
   Tray baskets are one of the most popular baskets found in Indian kitchens. These are used to store commonly used items. They may be easily accessed while cooking and put away after they are used. Some tray baskets have perforations through which air may pass. These help dry dishes and silverware.
   
5. Partitioned Baskets:
   As the name suggests, partitioned baskets have a number of compartments. They are made up of stainless steel and are used to store different types of items. For instance, you may place spices in one, pickles in another and sauces in the next. While purchasing one, ensure that its surface is smooth and easy to clean.
   
6. Bottle Baskets:
   
   These are standing baskets especially crafted to store items that come in bottled packs. They are very space-efficient and may be placed almost anywhere.

Storage baskets are functional additions for storage in both large and small kitchens. They may be placed to enhance your Sleek kitchens. Depending on your requirement, choose the most suitable basket and make cooking a hassle-free, enjoyable experience. 

Six Stress-Busting Tips to Beat the Mess Created after Cooking

Gone are the days when cooking was simply a household chore. Nowadays, it is not only regarded as a hobby, but also a recreational activity. Many individuals indulge in the activity with great gusto, but the same cannot be said about cleaning the inevitable, after-cooking mess. The task seems even more taxing, when it comes to the elaborate festive meals that are cooked in most Indian kitchens.

The tiresome process of cleaning your kitchen later should not discourage you from cooking, as it does not necessarily have to be such a labor-intensive activity. Here are 6 simple ways to help you make the process easy and enjoyable.

1. Be Prepared in Advance
   
   
   It is quite normal for a number of spills and stains to occur while cooking. This makes it inevitable to clean up after you are done cooking. To make this task easier and less confusing, it is better to be prepared, before you begin cooking itself. Keep the necessary articles handy, such as dusting or wiping cloths, cleaning sprays, and so on.
   
   
   
2. Clean As You Cook
   
   
   Cleaning a heap of dirty dishes and an entire messy kitchen all at once seems nothing short of exhausting. Make it easier for yourself by dividing these tasks into multiple batches and clean while you cook.
   
   
   
3. Use Eco-Friendly Methods
   
   
   Chemical cleaning sprays are harmful not only to the environment, but also to your health. Use home-made, natural solutions to clean the grease and dirt as safer and cost-effective alternatives.
   
   
   
4. Freshen-Up the Air
   
   
   A number of odors can get trapped in your kitchen while cooking, making the room stuffy and uncomfortable for cooking. Be sure to leave the windows or doors open, so that the food odors can escape. Use an air-freshener to add a new fragrance.
   
   
   
5. Handle Tools with Care
   
   
   Some of your kitchen tools and utensils, such as skillets, pans, and so on may come with special instructions for cleaning. It is important to follow these specifications so as to avoid any damage.
   
   
   
6. Take a Moment for Yourself
   
   
   Cooking meals for festive occasions can be quite a tiring task in itself. Give yourself some time to relax and perhaps enjoy the meal instead of diving into the task of cleaning right away. This gives you a much-needed break, before you begin cleaning.
   
   

With these tips to your aid, cleaning the mess created in your Sleek Kitchen after cooking is certainly not a difficult task. So put your worries to rest and simply enjoy cooking.