Both Heather and I (Tricia) had the privilege of trying out and now owning some new cookware and we both couldn’t wait to tell you more about it! If you are hoping for some new cookware this holiday season you have to check out Swiss Diamond!
Pumpkin Risotto in Swiss Diamond Saute Pan
(Heather) The most expensive set of cookware I’ve ever owned was a wedding gift from my grandparents over 15 years ago. I didn’t take care of them like I should have, and had to replace them sooner than I was hoping. I’ve had a few sets of fairly inexpensive ones since then, and was just thinking the other day that a new set would probably get the #1 spot on my Christmas list this year. So, I was thrilled to review a saute pan from Swiss Diamond.
I was given the wonderful opportunity to cook with a 4.3 quart saute pan, and Tricia chose to review a 5 quart square casserole. This saute pan is much larger than any I’ve ever owned (which has always been the standard size that comes in a cookware set). I chose this type of pan because I find that my saute pan is the most used of all my cookware, whether it’s used to brown ground beef for spaghetti sauce, or all-in-one skillet meals, such as Aloha Pork Chops. I chose to christen my new saute pan with pumpkin risotto. The first thing I noticed was how heavy it was. I turned up the heat to medium and began to saute the vegetables, and then moved onto the rice and stock. I was delighted to see how evenly this pan heated. My current pans do not heat evenly at all, and in fact are a bit warped. I love the glass see-through lids, so I can check on what I’m cooking without even having to lift the lid.
Swiss Diamond Cookware is precision cast aluminum, and made in Switzerland. It’s non-stick coating is integrated with diamond crystals which forms a virtually indestructible surface that will not blister, peel or crack. Diamonds are the hardest natural material which helps the coating resist damage and they are naturally nonstick reducing the need for chemical nonstick agents, and they conduct heat better than any metal to allow food to brown in the pan and create a fond that can be used for gravy. This browning ability sets Swiss Diamond apart from other nonstick cookware. The use of diamonds in this cookware allows for a high degree of thermal conductivity, therefore high heat is never required. Although I didn’t put mine in the oven, the Swiss Diamond Cookware is oven safe up to 500 degrees F.
(Tricia) I too was fortunate enough to receive a Swiss Diamond Non-stick Square Casserole and it was nothing short of amazing! I have been wanting a piece of cookware that I could use both on the stovetop and in the oven. You know, because freezer cooking creates enough dishes without dirtying multiple pans. I tried it out the first time when I was reviewing the Not Your Mother’s Make Ahead and Freezer cookbook. Remember that Shepherd’s Pie? Yea, it gets cooked in a pan, then transferred into a casserole dish, potatoes added and then put into the oven. No extra casserole dish for me! I just added the potatoes to the top and stuck it in the oven for the final stages. It was amazing! This pan is also very large – perfect for your Once A Month Mom cooking days as you can saute quite a bit in it without making a huge mess of the stove. I am definitely in love.
As for caring for the Swiss Diamond Cookware? It is simple: the cookware should not be used over high heat, it should be thoroughly cleaned with hot soapy water after each use and food should not cut be or chopped in the pan. Full guidelines: http://www.swissdiamond.us/use-and-care-15.html. And guess what? Swiss Diamond has agreed to provide one lucky Once A Month Mom reader with the same 4.3 quart sauce pan that Heather has. It is perfect for your Once A Month Mom cooking days and you will be in love. I promise. 🙂 Here is how you enter to win: Leave a Comment telling me which (Swiss) Diamonds you will would most love to be on your holiday list? This giveaway ends Friday, November 9th at 5 pm (EST).
Disclosure: Swiss Diamond provided us with cookware to review and cookware to giveaway, we were not compensated for this post. All the opinions in this post are mine, want to know more about how I facilitate reviews, view my full disclosure policy!