WHAT is the best material for pots and pans? What would be the safest to use? What kind do you use?

Best Regards,

SAM H. C.

Dear Sam,

Here are my favorite pots and pans that have served me well.

Unfortunately, quality comes at a price. And for pots and pans, this statement holds water. But investing in premium brands translates to a lifetime of savings plus safer, greater tasting and more visually appealing food.

In my case, I use different kinds depending on what I?m cooking and my desired end result.

Kuhn Rikon Hotpan?My absolute favorite for daily use. Perfect for soups, stews and sauces. Keeps food hot for hours.

Warning: Keep pan away from direct heat, otherwise, a costly mistake.

My favorite nonstick pan?Swiss Diamond Nano Pro Frying Pans. Swiss Diamond features a revolutionary nonstick cooking surface combining nano-composite technology with diamond crystals. The diamond crystals form an indestructible nonstick cooking surface that will not crack, blister or peel.

The pans are easy to clean and safe to use with metal utensils. They maintain even and constant heat. The only downside is they are quite heavy.

Kuhn Rikon Hotpan & Swiss Diamond Nano Pro Frying Pans is available at Werdenberg, Santis. Call 8403771.

Le Creuset Cast-Iron Cookware

My all-time favorite, Le Creuset Cast-Iron Cookware. Somehow, everything I cook in it tastes better. Perfect for slow-cooking. Careful with the surface, though.

Use wooden spoons and do not leave them to preheat with no oil for too long. Coating has a tendency to chip off. Le Creuset Cookware is available at Bacchus Epicerie in Rockwell. Call 8960364.

Calphalon is another favorite mainly for the convenience and their sizes. Heats up fast and the infused anodized cooking surface cleans up easy with just warm water and soft soaped sponge. From pan-searing to straight to the oven with Calphalon?no worries. Perfect for quick-stir fries and pasta dishes, too. Calphalon available at Gourdo?s. Call 8123022.

When it comes to woks, no contest, Space Wok tops the list. Impossible to burn anything. Food cooks quickly, looks nice and fresh all the time and the flavor, pristine. Absolutely nonstick?but wok must be very hot upon use. It has five layers?top and bottom stainless steel, two middle layers of pure aluminum, and aluminum alloy center. Space Wok available at One Shop at limited supply. Call 3747958.

JY fire-brick oven and smokeless ?kalan?

I also recommend my newfound toys to Steph Leong and the other readers who are interested in the brick oven.

After reading your letter, Ms Leong, this might be the perfect roasting oven for you. If you ask me which I prefer between gas and electric oven, I choose electric.

I also added the brick ?kalan? (stove) with a built-in fan that you can switch on and off. If you want high heat, leave fan on; for low heat, turn it off. All you need is a piece of charcoal dipped in denatured alcohol. Drop in fire box filled with regular charcoal. Throw in a lit match, turn on fan and it?s time to cook. Smokeless and matipid.

For JY Firebrick Ovens, Grillers and Kalan, call 9114216 or 0920-5760256. (They also sell seedlings of the California Mango, each fruit almost two kilos a piece when in season. Jerry Yu?s wife Tess also makes very reasonable gym outfits. What a business combination!)

Surely you wouldn?t have problems finding these brands in the US unless you wish to take the Magic Brick Kalan and oven with you. Have a safe and happy trip, Sam.

For inquiries about my cooking class schedules and lineup for the Buffet and Lola Basyang (Traditional Filipino Recipes) Series, call 9289296, 9273008, 6474744 or 0908-2372346.

E-mail the author at raspiras@inquirer.com.ph