Our first wedding gift, we use Everyday

It was the summer before we got married, several years ago when the delivery man arrived on our doorstep with a box. It was our very first wedding gift. I opened it with enthusiasm and curiosity. A gentle shiver creeping up my spine at the idea that my fiancé and I were special enough to someone to deserve a gift from someone. Tissue paper flew as I searched for the packing slip to see who it was from. A very thoughtful present from two of my first friends in California. It was shiny!

The Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Everyday Pan with Lid has a big name and a big role. On a daily basis, I use ours to braise chicken or veggies, bake enchiladas, make alfredo sauce, or in a pinch whip up a tart tatin in it (for those of us who don’t have cupboard space for a Le Creuset Tarte Tatin Dish). I use mine to make a fruit crumble and nachos even! Extremely practical since it is oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, stovetop-safe, and versatile. Available from Cooking.com for $49.95, Crate & Barrel for $49.95, and Amazon.com

It has been nearly six years since our pan arrived in our kitchen and it still looks like new and holds up to daily abuse use. When we moved to Ireland, this was one of a select few kitchen/dining items we brought, along with our flatware (Pisces by Reed & Barton), a set of steak knives (Set of 6 Laguiole steak knives, stainless steel), cloth dishtowels (like MUkitchen MUwaffle Dishcloth – Waffle – Marine), and a few pot holders (like Le Creuset Pot Holder). It was nice to have something familiar with us in those first few months of new ingredients, new recipes, and new friends. Now, it’s just part of our everyday life and convenience.

Here are some recipes that work wonderfully in this pan:

Buffalo Mascarpone Chicken

Sun-dried Tomato Mascarpone Cream Sauce with Pasta & Chicken

The Great Dinner Caper

Dutch Pancake with Apple and Gouda