My New Love

After months of debating, I finally bought an All-Clad LTD 12-inch Round Nonstick Grille Pan .

I’ve seen grill pans used on cooking shows, but I was concerned about the splatter and the ease of cleaning. I’m not a kitchen gadget kind of gal, so after reading reviews, I chose a pricey grill pan (hence the internal debate). I think I chose wisely.

To avoid grease splatter, I also bought a 13-inch splatter shield.

A splatter shield keeps the grease from splattering (duh), but lets the steam escape. Once again, it wasn’t the cheapest, but I’ve used cheap and it doesn’t last.

Prepare for a major digression…Does my photo remind any of you Baby Boomers of anyone? (My pose is intentional)…

Yes! Miss Nancy from Romper Room with her Magic Mirror! “At the end of each broadcast, she would look through a "magic mirror" (actually a face-sized open hoop with a handle) and name the children she saw in "televisionland", then recite the rhyme, "Romper, bomper, stomper boo. Tell me, tell me, tell me, do. Magic Mirror, tell me today, have all my friends had fun at play?"

“She would then lead into, "I can see Scotty and Kimberly and Julie and Jimmy and Kelly and all of you boys and girls out there!" ” (from Wikipedia). I used to listen intently, but Miss Nancy never said “Shauna.” Thanks, Mom, for giving me an unusual name!

Back to the grill pan: I use the pan several times a week, cooking pork chops, steaks, and hamburgers. In addition to the grill marks and the seared flavor, the meat doesn’t sit in fat as it cooks.

To use the pan, I preheat it on medium high heat for three minutes, then lightly oil it. I plop the seasoned meat on, cover with the splatter shield, and let the meat sear for four to five minutes. Do not move the meat during this time or the grill marks will be messed up. Then turn the heat down, flip the meat, and cook until you’re happy.

Here are some boneless pork loin chops, just flipped.  Meat cooked in a grill pan doesn’t taste “grilled,” as in “grilled on a barbeque,” but it is much juicier than broiling.

The grill pan is the first All-Clad cookware I’ve owned and I love it. It heats evenly and is a breeze to hand wash.

My grill pan and I will continue to make beautiful music together.

(Thanks to Kevin, my very reluctant and impatient photographer).