Puttin' a little SIZZLE in the New Year!

Happy 2010, y'all! May it be your best year yet! I want to show you something!

I got a package a while back...
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It was from here...and I have to say, they have pretty much everything. If you need a mailbox or a dart board or a living room, well, they have all that, and about a zillion other things.

Specifically, this little darlin' came from cookware.com
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I got to pick it out myself. I liked the look of it, the size, and two of my favorite words were part of the description - FREE SHIPPING! I love love love free shipping. I really do.

I picked it out when there was only one left in stock. And...someone beat me to that one, so I had to wait a little while for it. I had every opportunity to change my order - I could choose something else or even cancel, but I was already in love and willing to wait. CSN stores did a great job keeping me posted with order status, estimated ship date, all that.

And then, it was here!
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Wooty-woot!
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Isn't it pretty?
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It's Emerilware - I bet if I dropped it, it'd say 'BAM!!', hee hee.

And it really is heavy - a good heavy - even for a pan that size. I don't think I could warp it if I tried. The grill ridges are really deep too - love that!

It is my first-ever 'pre-seasoned' pan. I'll be honest with you - I didn't put a lot of stock in pre-seasoning. I have cast iron that's older than me (yike!) and it was all seasoned the old-fashioned way. Technology was not involved. However, now that I've completely carbonized enough marinade from teriyaki to make my own diamonds (oops), and it all came off - I'm sold on pre-seasoned cast iron!

I am definitely still learning to use it. For example, I've turned my lowly grilled cheeses into paninis...
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I've striped burgers...
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And here is the first of the teriyaki - several pan-fuls later, it was pretty blackened in there!
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I've even grilled pineapple.
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Have you ever had grilled pineapple? It's fantastic. This is canned, which is good, but if you want great, get some fresh pineapple, cut it into spears, grill it, then give it a very light dusting of cinnamon. It's a wonder, I tell you!

Oh yeah - the part about how I'm still learning. I have been letting my grill pan get hot, but I think I have to get it even hotter, so the grill marks will be more defined, so it will sear the food better, all that. I am happy to report that I haven't had any problems with sticking. I've cooked some other things in it too, but I have to give the family a break once in a while, and serve something non-grillable, like soup, or pie.

Still, there's plenty more you can grill with one of these - like steaks, chops, fish, ham, chicken, halved vegetables like zucchini or eggplant, garlic bread, onion slices...why, I've even seen grilled slices of pound cake in cookbooks, topped with fruit and whipped cream. There are many, many possibilities.

So, wanna hear the really neat part? Remember these guys? You know, the ones with all the different stores, with all the different stuff?
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Not only were they kind enough to send me this grill pan to try, they are going the extra mile to put a little sizzle in someone else's kitchen too! CSN Stores and Cookware.com are sponsoring a Grill Pan Giveaway right here at Ten Things Farm!

If you would like to enter to win a pan just like mine, here's the deal. First of all, one entry per person. I know - you want to win, and it's really cool, but please be fair and just enter once, OK? I will close comments on Thursday night, January 7, 2010 and announce the winner Friday, January 8, 2010. The winner will be chosen using an online randomizer. If you leave an email in the proper part of the comment form (not in the actual comment, lest you get spammed), I can contact you that way too.

This giveaway is open to US residents only. Just so you know.

OK, now just leave a comment on this post, and answer one of the following questions:
Either: What is your favorite kitchen pot, pan or gadget, and why?
Or: If you could get anything over at cookware.com, what would you choose?

I moderate the comments, so please don't freak out if your comment does not appear right away. It will, just as soon as I get done with whatever I'm doing while you're posting. Good luck, and Happy New Year!!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I love my cast iron pans - can't live without them. And I would LOVE to try this grill pan out!!
Stephanie said…
My favorite kitchen tool is my crockpot. I would be lost without it. I can just toss everything in it while I'm cooking breakfast and by dinnertime, our meal is ready. It is such a time-saver for a busy homeschooling mom like me!

smk0817@aol.com
Heather said…
How cool, I love you blog. My fav piece of cookware is my enamel coated cast iron dutch oven. It is my best friend in the kitchen.
Thanks for entering me. I can't wait to see who wins!!
Outnumbered said…
I would love a chance! I have never tried cast iron, but it looks great! I love my instant read thermometer. I can check the temp of anything in a second!
I love a good, sharp knife. I'm always slicing and dicing something. Nothing makes me want to throw things like a dull knife. I wouldn't throw the knife though...
KelleyMKlor@gmail.com
Kelli said…
My favorite kitchen tool is my food dehydrator because I can make my left over garden veggies shelf stable and make really good fruit leathers.
rase4@msn.com
We all know I need a little sizzle 'round here! Heehee!

My favorite kitchen tool is my blue enamel coated Lodge cast iron Dutch Oven. It's beautiful and practical, and can cook just about anything in there.

Have fun with that cool grill pan!
amyd from ph said…
I love cast iron! My favorite item in my kitchen is my Kitchen Aid mixer. I couldn't find one there, but I'd love a grain mill attachment for it. I'd also love to win the gill pan!
Moni said…
I use my knives the most so I guess I should say good, sharp knives but I gotta tell ya, I love, love, love using my stone sheet cake "pan" for home made deep dish pizza!
Anonymous said…
I love my brand new Nesco roaster. I used it for Thanksgiving, Christmas eve, New Years eve, and even New Years day. Saves my new oven from being covered with grease and no smoke. I love it and can't believe I waited so long to get one.
Country Living said…
My favorite kitchen item is my TIMER! I would be lost without it in my life and since I looked at the site you linked to I am in love with the Pfaltzgraff Providence Pedestal Server! I have printed out the picture of it and put it on the fridge (maybe someone will get the hint lol)
Thanks for offering a great giveaway!
Leah Spencer said…
Just last week I was commenting to my husband if we had to pare down EVERYTHING in the kitchen, the two dishes I would cling to the hardest is the 10" cast iron frying pan and the Dutch oven. We cook with them all the time, and it's the next best thing to BBQ (not allowed here).
Laura said…
I love your new blog! My favorite kitchen item is my kitchen aid mixer. We baked so many cookies and bread this past holiday season I would have been lost with out it.. I would love a chance to win this fantastic pan. Laura mom5
momofthree from ph said…
I love my cast iron, but my favorite thing in my kitchen is my crockpot.I love that I can start dinner in the morning and go about my business knowing that supper will be done when we monare ready.
Right now my favorite kitchen tool is my electronic water kettle. I am on a liquid diet for another week and it great for hot cocoa and broth making. Mind you next week it will be the Vita-mix I like the most, I can have pureed foods then.
Celeste said…
I would actually have to say my Scanpan set. I LOVE all of Scanpan's products!! The quality is top-notch and all my pans from them still look brand-new even though I've had them for a while.

contact me at:
celeste@mail4me.com
Anonymous said…
I would love to win this giveaway! I looked around on the website, and I love the Le Creuset mixing bowls. Yeah!
Anonymous said…
I love to have a great dutch oven. my favorite in the kitchen now is my pressure canner cooker. I can do some much more my self now so much store bought cans. Amber in Kentucky aacc442@yahoo.com
Ginger said…
I WANT a cast iron just like yours darlin!!! I have several cast iron that we use on a daily basis, but nothing like yours. I really need it....
Oh and I read your blog everytime you post something in it!
Toni said…
That's awesome!!

My favorite kitchen gadget? My new Beater Blade. It scrapes the bowl while mixing. Rocking awesome.
AlysonRR said…
I love my cast iron pans. Hate cleaning them - love cooking with them :-)
Chandi said…
I am loving my bread machine these days for dough making.
I am also wanting to switch to cast iron I need this lol
Chandi@acm3.com
Lamb said…
My absolute favorite is the Lodge cast iron skillet set my fella got me for my last birthday. I use it everyday.However, he sent me a grain mill for Christmas...I am just getting used to it---and the breads I make from various ground wheat (fine, medium, coarse) are amazing! So, still me in the drawing as well, please!
Anonymous said…
I love my cast iron pans. I really want a cast iron dutch oven.

krm6044@sbcglobal.net

krm223 on PH
Mama Bear's Den said…
my favorite item in my kitchen now: would have to be a set of Paula Deen wooden spoons....I think I got them at K-mart...but, OH....those spoons are amazing!! They are heavy-duty wooden spoons.....I use them all the time!!
Hilary said…
I love my food processor. I use it for everything. I make homemade salsa, baby food, chopped nuts, everything. I have never used cast iron pans, but a heard wonderful things about them, would love to win this.
Anonymous said…
My large cast iron skillet and a flat cast iron griddle that belonged to my husbands grandmother are my favorite cooking pans. Cat, I don't know where to put my email address and I love your new grill pan.

Georgia
Anonymous said…
My favorite item is my 3 gallon stock pot. I use it for everything it seems! I hate cooking in small quantities so I find that I use it often.

However, I'm eyeing that new pan of yours!
Ella said…
Awesome Giveaway Cat! My newest favorite kitchen tool....My new GE Roaster Oven. My favorite oldest kitchen tool , my original "V" slicer!

Enjoy your awesome grill pan! And thanks to you and your sponsors for giving one of us the chance to win one too!

Whoo Hoo
sharon :) said…
Oh wow.....please enter me!

The Crockpot is my favorite kitchen tool. I was really enjoying my elec grill, but it died (in the middle of cooking) and so far, I have not been able to find one that was like it. I wonder just how this cast iron one will grill? And non-stick, you say? hmmmmmmmmm.


sharon :)
Amy M said…
Hmm, My favorite kitchen item is probably the one good spatula! All the others are so flimsy you can't flip anything with them. But that one good spatula is invaluable!
Cat said…
hmm....looking at cookware.com, and am browsing the dinner ware. After 20 years of the same pattern/color, and no longer the same color kitchen, I would love some new dinnerware. I love the Lennox dinnerware, "Chirp", but it does not go with my kitchen.

So, I checked the "email follow up comments to", is that what I was supposed to do to enter the drawing for the grill pan? That is a nice pan, glad you are enjoying yours!

mrsroyer from ph
Sandra said…
First -t hanks for the great giveaway.

If I could get anything from cookware.com, it would probably be this: http://www.cookware.com/InSinkErator-HOT-1-INK1053.html Our old house came with a broken one. I thought it was a silly indulgence, but of course, we needed to replace it because we couldn't very well sell the house with a hole in the sink. WOW! What a fabulous tool! Indulgence - yes - silly - NO. I never realized how convenient having water almost (not quite) boiling on tap could be. I used it for cooking, cleaning, sterilizing containers...oh, and making tea LOL. At our new house, my sister came to visit. She put a kettle on to make tea, then out of habit from being at our old house, walked to the kitchen sink looking for the hot water dispenser - even though she'd put on the kettle!
Kim Musselwhite said…
I love my old and heavy enamel soup pots with lids. kimberlylegg@aol.com
My favorite and "can not do without" kitchen item has to be my trusty little 8" cast iron skillet. We found it in the remains where my husbands grandmother's house had blown away in the "67 tornado here in KY and it has been with me for 37 years now. It was rusty and just a quick swipe and a gentle 200° oven, 8 hour seasoning left it as good as new. It has has seen every move made with our family and has survived every fiasco of cooking my husband has tried.( Fill with 1/2" cooking oil, turn burner on high, go outside, smoke a cigarette, come in and dump a pint freezer bag of fish in) all with no warping, no sticking, and only a few grease splatters left on the ceiling. It's trusty, always finishs up things tasty, makes the greatest cornbread ever, and cleanup is always fast and easy. Would love to win the twin to yours to start grilling adventures of my own.
Anonymous said…
My favorite item is my crockpot... recently my old faithful died. I think it was from the 70's, nothing is better than old retro green! I miss it and if I went to cookware.com would get another!!
dunover2@gmail.com
Lhia said…
my favorite thing in my kitchen is the corning wear dish and cover my grandmother gave me a few years ago. I love that it goes from stove to microwave to oven to fridge with no problems.
Mary said…
I think I love my one stockpot most of all -- it's been with us for a long time and I have done just about everything with/in it, since I don't have much room in my kitchen for a lot of fancy things although I love to cook! I have to be a little selective...
I would LOVE the grill pan -- my hubby is in charge of the outdoor grill and my shadow can't darken it, lol, but I would love to have a chance to do some indoor grilling. Especially when it gets cold here in the winters!!!
My favorite kitchen tool is my kitchen aid mixer. I tried to use my hand mixer the other day b/c I was being lazy and I almost burned it up because the batter was to thick. Thus back to the kitchen aid. I would love to try the grill pan!!
Colorubia said…
Hi Laura, I would absolutely love this pan. I love my crock pot. It is so easy to fix and go. Between dieting and money this would be a great help. Thanks for doing this. D
Unknown said…
My favorite kitchen pot is my cast iron dutch oven. I love it because I can cook with it on the stove, in the oven, or out camping. It's an amazing thing
Susan said…
While I love my cast iron skillet, I have to choose my egg cooker. It cooks seven eggs at a time; DH loves his medium cooked eggs in an egg cup for breakfast, and with the egg cooker, I can't screw them up. Highly recommended even for a gadget!

littlehobbitsmomma@gmail.com
Kateri at PH :)
Rebecca said…
My favorite kitchen tools are my knives - one is serrated and the other is not. Thanks for doing this drawing!
gabrielswife said…
How awesome, Cat! We use cast iron frying pans and would looove a grill pan! YUM!

Um, I don't have a way to secretly put my email, so if I'm the lucky winner could you notify me via PH??

Thanks, Cat! :)
nvrnvrland said…
I can't wait to read your blog - I just found your site.
My favorite tool is my parring knife, it is sharp and has a good handle, my other is my oval, well seasoned cast iron skillet - great for a two or three egg omlet ;).
I would get the Bosch mixer from the kitchen web site (I am currently saving up for it!)

Note for Laura:
This is the second comment I have written, I had trouble with my password the first time so I don't think my first comment went through. If it did I am sorry about that, please delete one. Hopefully this is the only one that went through.
Thanks,
Lisa
Donna B said…
I would love to get this! I am trying to switch over to all cast iron and/or stainless steel.

I would love to the 9.5 quart camp stove dutch oven.
JessN said…
Ooh...this looks great! I don't have any cast iron pans, but desperately need to try something new. My favorite kitchen appliance right now is the crock pot. I LOVE it! Just got a 2nd one for Christmas and hope to find ways to make 2 things at once! Dessert in it, maybe? :)
LatteLaura said…
Hi- great contest!

I would buy some cast-iron pans. All my cheap skillets are warped!
I think I probably love my crock pot WAY too much. It's the one with the large crock, so a lot of food fits in it--I've had it for probably 15 years, and it's still going strong!
Vicki B. said…
I only have one cast iron thing in the kitchen and its a dutch oven, without the coating just black. I got it as a wedding gift 10 years ago. It is very "well seasoned" now and I use it for a ton of cooking. But that pan you just got looks "AWESOME!" and I love your blog!
Anonymous said…
My can't live without kitchen tool is my stand mixer. Basically because it kneads bread for me while I clean up the mess. And there's always a mess.

Nicole from PH...not sure how to anonymously leave an e-mail...
Anonymous said…
Ohhhhhhh. This would be fabulous to win! I have been wanting one.

We recently moved and were in temporary housing without most of my kitchen items. It was during that time that I realized my favorite kitchen item is my large sharp knife! It makes chopping fast and easy. When I unpacked it, I carefully gave it a kiss!! :)

Kim
jarrodandkim(at)hotmail(dot)com
MJ said…
I absolutely love my stainless steel microplane grater. I seem to use it a couple times a week, ohh wait, now I am torn I actually love my kitchenaid mixer more.
A Joyful Chaos said…
I like my crock pot I also am really enjoying using my new electric skillet.

I would love to win this cast iron grill skillet.
Sandy said…
I love my pressure cooker... couldn't live without it. The rice comes out just perfect. I will stack several pans inside so that in one go the rice, veggies, and lentils will be cooked and ready to be tossed into the side dishes.

Sandy
sandy.natarajan@gmail.com
Wildflower said…
Finally posting on your blog altho I read it often!

My favorite tool might seem silly but it is my kitchen scissors. I just got them about a year ago. They look really different than our "normal" ones so the kids no longer take them and forget to put them back!
Michele P. said…
well, there are many things at cookware.com that I want, but I can tell you that something I love and use ALOT at my house is my tortilla press... hubby is from Guatemala, and tortillas are a staple food for him. So I buy the Maseca and make tortillas ALMOST as good as mama! lol. Have a great week, this pan is awesome!

micaela6955 at msn dot com
Unknown said…
Cat you make things look so easy.
I wonder how this pan would work on my electric stove...
I love using my cast iron! Especially when making my shrooms and shrimp!
hugs
mel
lee said…
i love my weird cheese slicer i bought from tupperware 10 years ago. it will slice paperthin onions, cucumbers, squaash, etc. and it does it fast.

great giveaway, great host!
Anonymous said…
Wow--I'm 57 comments late! He he....

Ok, my fave cookware of all time is cast iron---I know, boring huh? But honestly, if I don't win this one, I may go out and buy me one!

The reason I love cast iron is because it is so easy to clean, doesn't warp, are great for cooking nearly anything in. I love em! :)

Thanks for letting me enter and if you get a chance and you like cross stitch, come on over and enter into my cross stitch giveaway!
Soonermomofmany said…
I love my cast irons pans that my dad got me but my favorite is the cast iron griddle that I got free......With a large family it makes cooking pancakes a breeze....I so would love to try this one out as well...
Tracy said…
Right now, my favorite kitchen item is my new waffle iron! i have the best waffle recipe ever, and it cooks up wonderfully in my new iron. But I would love to try the cast iron grill!
sharon said…
I would have to say (after being very reluctant to even try them!) that my husband's cast iron pans are one of my favorite kitchen tools. The way they cook everything so evenly is just amazing, and Emeril's grill pan looks just awesome!

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