Caring for cast iron cookware

A cast iron casserole pot or frying pan can be among the most regularly used and dearly loved of cookware, but without proper preparation and care, you may cause irreparable damage to your multi-purpose pot or pan.

Cast iron, whether enamelled or not, is perfect for slow-cooking in the oven, since heat is distributed evenly around the …

Exclusive The Essential Ingredient KitchenAid Offer

The Essential Ingredient offers an exclusive bonus with every purchase of a KitchenAid mixer.

Simply purchase a KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan food mixer unit and receive an additional KitchenAid 3ltr stainless steel bowl valued at $79.95 FREE.

This offer is exclusive to The Essential Ingredient and valid only while stocks last.

Visit your nearest The Essential Ingredient store today to take advantage of …

Playing with fire- the many uses of the kitchen blowtorch

Becoming a better cook often means mastering new techniques and tricks, and many of these tricks can require an investment in some new kitchen equipment.

Many such pieces of equipment make their way into your kitchen for a single purpose. In the case of the kitchen blowtorch, it’s probably to perfect the crunchy toffee top of your crème brûlée.

Of course, once …

Which knives do I need?

Knives are one of the most important tools in a kitchen, arguably second only to the stove. Choosing the right type of knife and the right brand for you is crucial (and will be covered in an upcoming article).

But which knives should you have in your set? What do they all do, and how do they differ from one another?

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Building your collection……

Graupera ceramic cookware

Food connects us to the planet we live on, and while innovations in technology help stretch the idea of what’s possible in the kitchen, it’s also vital that we not lose sight of that connection to the Earth.

Graupera, producers of traditional ceramic cookware in Spain for over 60 years, understands this connection. Graupera products are created using the …

Using and caring for stainless steel cookware

Possibly the most popular of all cookware, stainless steel is a hard and durable metal made from chromium and nickel. It is safe to use on electric, gas and induction cooktops and, depending on the construction of the handle, can also be used in the oven.

To improve heat conductivity, the best stainless steel pans and pots are made with copper …

Knife sharpening services

Your knife is your most important tool in the kitchen. You’ve chosen it carefully, investing in the highest quality blade you can afford to get the best, safest and most consistent results.

But over time, with the many tasks a chef’s knife is called on to perform and no matter how well you …