Vital Cooking Vessels for the Kitchen: The Fry Pan and Skillet

Like the Sauté pan, the Fry Pan and the Skillet are vital cooking vessels that every cook needs in their kitchen. This article below explains exactly why that is. There are also some added notes that may just Ignite your Passion too.

Building a cookware set from scratch can be intimidating, especially if you are low on space or cooking knowledge. One of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can have, and probably already own, is the fry pan or skillet. But not just any fry pan or skillet – an All-Clad Fry Pans & Skillets, which can tackle just about anything in the kitchen. While both a skillet and a fry pan are virtually the same piece. There is a subtle difference that makes them unique. Fry pans have a flat, wide base, and round flared sides. The skillet resembles the fry pan but has high curved sides making it a bit deeper. Both pans have large surfaces area and with All Clad’s bonding technology, this means more room to cook with guaranteed even heat distribution without hot or cold spots. Plus, don’t forget that All-Clad’s stainless steel cookware can go from stovetop to oven, up to 600°F. These fry pans and skillets are available in a variety of different series including D3 Stainless, D3 Everyday, D5 Stainless, D5 Brushed, Copper Core, and Graphite.

Here are some of the amazing things that can be accomplished in your All-Clad fry pan and skillet:

Cooking the Ultimate Breakfast in a Fry Pan

All-Clad Fry Pans from all series are great for preparing eggs in the morning. When cooking eggs, the best pan for this task can withstand high temperatures, distribute heat evenly, does not overheat quickly, and can even be transferred into the oven to finish your breakfast. This means the All-Clad Fry Pans are the best choice. Additionally, the low, flared edges in the construction allow you to easily slide your eggs right onto your plate while keeping that yolk intact if needed.

Head back to our Cooking on Stainless Steel for Beginners post to learn how to simulate a non-stick surface on your stainless steel cookware. Then, take your pan and start the morning off right with sunny-side-up or fried eggs.

We are Fond.... of Those Caramelized Bits of Flavor

Now you might ask, “how about pan-fried cutlets?” All-Clad Chef Ambassador, Gavin Kaysen shared his recipe for Pork Piccata, which combines the simple kitchen technique of pan frying and then making a pan sauce. Not only does Chef Gavin Kaysen pan fry these pork cutlets to perfection in an All-Clad fry pan, but he also uses all of those bits of flavor left over, known as fond, to create a delicious pan sauce after cooking the pork. You can easily accomplish this in a fry pan because of the flat, wide base, large surface area, and even transformation of heat.

Creating the Perfect Sear in a Skillet

Creating a beautiful sear on meats can be achieved with ease in an All-Clad Skillet. The deeper construction of a skillet and large surface area holds high heat, which creates more depth and levels of flavors. The curved sides will also protect your stovetop from oil splatters when creating the sear with high heat. This Dijon Fig Glazed Pork Chops recipe using a skillet will allow you to achieve a golden-brown sear before glazing the pork chops with a delicious Dijon fig glaze within the same pan.

Vegetables Can be a Star in a Skillet

Cauliflower is such a versatile vegetable. Not only can it be used as an appetizer or a side dish, but you can also use a skillet to sear off a Cauliflower steak to create a vegetable main dish with the sauce of your choosing. The skillet is the perfect pan for this golden-brown cauliflower steak to be made on the stovetop and then finished in the oven. Additionally, the curved sides will keep the vegetable from steaming when you go to finish in the oven. A large skillet has plenty of capacity to cook and sear multiple pieces at once. Need some sauce inspiration? Check out our favorite Harissa Glazed Cauliflower Steak recipe.