Don’t Know Which Pan To Grab When It’s Time To Cook? A Dietitian Explains

Why is the right bread important?

If the chicken is stuck on the bread, the vegetable steam is not crunchy and the eggs are confused, the problem may not be your cooking skills. It could be your pot.

If you use MyFitnessPal’s diet planner to make your life easier, or if you’ve gotten wet toe with MyFitnessPal recipes, it may be time to get used to the various skillets you use. Using the right cooking utensils is one of the easiest ways to improve results and feel more confident in your kitchen.

I’m a registered dietitian who cooks most nights this week, but I didn’t grow any food for myself. It took countless meals (and some epic mistakes) to achieve the proper bread problem.

You don’t need a huge collection of bread, but it’s helpful to have a properly selected piece that suits your cooking methods. In this way, diet shows you how you intend. This is a boost in confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered why chicken can’t look like the photo, keep reading. We’ll explain popular types of bread and when to use them, so you can have a consistent and delicious meal.

Do you have a frying pan? Start with one

I reach for the same bread over and over again. To make a great meal at home, you really don’t need a dozen pots. In fact, if you’re just starting out, one versatile bread is everything you need (1).

If I had to choose it, I’ll go with a cast iron skillet. It holds heat beautifully, works in valleys and ovens, and can handle a variety of dishes (2). I use mine for a variety of meals, including salmon dishes (providing the perfect sheer), flatbreads, fried eggs and more.

I also love that the seasoned cast iron is non-stick and easy to clean. It is a kind of pot that gets better with age and can last for a lifetime.

That said, the best starter breads really depend on what you like to cook. So start with a pot that suits your cooking style and expand from there.

Non-stick frying pans are another good option for your first purchase. They are suitable for new chefs and people who are drawn to simple recipes.

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An important guide to diet planning

Non-stick frying pan: Perfect for gentle, low-temperature cooking

When I flip over a scrambled egg or protein pancake on weekend mornings, I reach for a non-stick pan. Non-stick frying pans are perfect for delicate foods that are prone to sticking. It is also a solid choice for cooking tofu and flake fish without any confusion.

Strong Points:

• Food remains intact and is released easily
• It helps lower calories as there is less need for less oil or butter
• Makes cleanup quick and easy
• Perfect for beginner chefs

Cons:

• Not suitable for high heat – this can damage the nonstick coating
• Use with metal cooking utensils to easily scratch it
• The coating will wear over time and will need to be replaced in the end

Care Tips:

• Hand wash only – even if it is labeled dishwasher
• Use silicon, wooden or plastic cooking utensils to protect the coating
• Avoid stacking with other frying pans unless you place a protective layer between them.
• If the surfaces scratch or food starts to stick more frequently, change the pot

Stainless Steel Frying Pan: Brown, Bake, Perfect for Sauce

If you’re looking for a pot that can handle high heat and can give your chicken or steak a golden brown crust, stainless steel is the way to go (2).

Strong Points:

• Perfect for roasting, stir-frying, and stir-frying (2))
• Perfect for building bread sauces (2))
• Durable and often dishwasher safe (2))
• Can handle high heat without damage (2))

Cons:

• If it is not properly preheated, then the food stick
• More techniques are required than non-stick options
• Incorrect use can lead to extra cleanup

Care Tips:

• Preheat the pot before adding oil and food to prevent stinging and improve browning
• Consider washing your hands to extend the life of your bread and check the manufacturer’s guidance (2))

About the experts

Samantha Cassetti, MS, RDa nationally recognized food and nutrition expert, media personality, nutrition consultant and author. Cassetty is former nutrition director at Good Housekeeping and co-author of Sugar Shock.

Emily Sullivan, Lord, I am the food data curator for MyFitnessPal. She earned her bachelor’s degree, completed a diet internship at Ohio State University, and a culinary degree from Johnson University and the University of Wales.

Cast iron: Main focus of crunchy flavor building

“I use cast iron frying pans on 99% of the daily cooking,” says Emily Sullivan, a nutritionist registered by MyFitnessspal. This is why it makes this a good choice.

Strong Points:

• Excellent heat retention for uniform high heat cooking (2))
• Perfect for roasting, baking, and one-bread meals like frittatus
• Oven safe and stubate top friendly (2))
• Of course, it doesn’t burn and gets better with age (2))

Cons:

• It’s heavier than most frying pans, so it can be difficult to process
• Continuous maintenance is required to maintain non-stick quality (2))
• Don’t be able to go to the dishwasher and get soaked (2))

Care Tips:

• I wipe it with hot water or rinse it (2))
• Dry thoroughly, rub with a thin layer of oil to maintain seasoning (2))

As Sullivan points out, cast iron is especially great for recipes like Spatchcocked Chicken. “Cast iron frying pans are perfect for this because they retain heat evenly and distribute it.2). Its heavy structure allows for a high-heat initial shear, giving the chicken’s skin a beautiful, crispy golden brown crust (2). Plus, you can start by roasting the chicken on the stove and roasting it in the oven.2).

Dutch oven: Perfect for a one-pot slow cooked meal

Dutch ovens are superstars for cooking a comfortable meal. If you’re someone who likes to eat, cook, or eat multiple times, the Dutch oven is a useful addition to your kitchen.

Strong Points:

• Excellent heat retention and even cooking2))
• Perfect for soups, stews, chili peppers, slow stews, boiled pasta, and even baking
• You can move it to the oven from Stovetop (2))
• Perfect for one-pot meals and batch dishes

Cons:

• Heavy and bulkier than many other pots
• Traditional cast iron versions require seasonings to maintain non-stick properties

Care Tips:

• Choose the enamel version for easier maintenance and no seasoning required (2))
• For cast iron, dry thoroughly and season regularly with a thin layer of oil (2))

If you’re getting a lot of food preparation for the weekend, you might want to invest in a Dutch oven. Sullivan uses her to make beef stew. “A heavy lid helps lock in moisture that keeps meat and vegetables tender during long cooking,” she says. “A perhaps even bigger bonus for something like beef stew is to launch it on the stove and transfer it to the oven for a few hours to cook while doing other things.”

If you like flavorful and crafted meal ideas to cook yourself while relaxing from your to-do list or checking things out, the Dutch Oven is the pot for you.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

You don’t need a fully stored kitchen to cook delicious, satisfying meals. Just a few reliable breads that suit your cooking style. With the right cooking utensils, the dishes will be a little more accessible, less frustrating and more confident in preparing meals. With more skills and confidence, you can prepare a wider range of foods and dishes, and diversity makes it easier to maintain healthy eating habits and achieve your goals (3).

Posts don’t know which bread to grab when cooking? The nutritionist’s explanation first appeared on the MyFitnessPal blog.