This list of my favorite things is short, but there just isn’t enough time or room for all my favorite things. My three favorite items today cover food, cooking, and cleaning. I’m sharing my favorite (and new) cookware, a new kitchen cleaning must-have (especially if you make eggs), and a favorite recipe involving eggs. I’m keeping in mind my favorite “events” and “favorite places” posts. There were just so many favorites in 2022 that didn’t involve “things.”
All-Clad Cookware
My absolute favorite thing of the year is my new set of All-Clad cookware! My cousin, who is a remarkable home chef guided me and answered all my questions when I began considering a cookware purchase. I knew she would have good advice on cookware, and she did. After my cookware lesson, Kirk and I were ready to make a purchase. We bought the All-Clad d5 Polished Stainless-Steel set at Williams-Sonoma last spring. We spoke with a very well-educated sales associate about several cookware options and found she agreed with my cousin on the same set we were planning to purchase. The All-Clad cookware is a bit of a splurge, but I know these will last the rest of my life. The number of pieces in the set, and the sizes are perfect for our cooking needs. The shiny aluminum is pretty, and this hardworking cookware is a dream to cook in. The handles are heat-resistant, the cookware cooks slowly and evenly, is oven and broiler-safe up to 600 degrees, and is commercial grade. I love how easily it cleans and shines up with Barkeeper’s Friend. The Norwex mesh dishcloth easily removes anything cooked on without scrubbing.
We purchased the All-Clad d5 Polished Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set at Williams-Sonoma.
The 10-piece set includes:
- 8″ and 10″ fry pans
- 2-qt. and 4-qt. covered saucepans
- 4-qt. covered sauté pan
- 8-qt. covered stockpot
- (Lids are counted as individual pieces)
Norwex Netted Dish Cloth
This fall I while I was washing dishes for my sister, she handed me one of these Norwex dishcloths to clean a skillet with cooked-on eggs. I was skeptical. Really? A mesh cloth? To my surprise the cloth worked like magic! The eggs cleaned easily without scrubbing and the eggs didn’t stick to the cloth. Here’s what I learned about the loosely woven netted dishcloth… it can be used anywhere scrubbing action is needed. For me, that includes pots and pans, my enamel cooktop stove (they don’t scratch), and my countertops after baking to remove flour, dough, and other sticky things. They are non-absorbent and don’t require a lot of water to work their magic. The mesh fabric cleans easily so no bits and pieces get stuck in the cloth, they rinse right out.
Who thinks of things like this?
I highly recommend this dishcloth! If you don’t already have a Norwex consultant, you can purchase a mesh cloth from my niece HERE. The mesh dishcloths are also available on Amazon HERE, though I can’t guarantee they will work as nicely as the Norwex brand cloths. If you prefer to shop small business, my niece will be grateful.
Backpack Organizer
A couple of years ago Kirk gave me the Able Alem backpack for Christmas. I shared about the backpack in my blog post HERE. I really like this backpack and use it often when traveling and going to meetings in town. The backpack has side pockets and a few inside pockets, but like most backpacks, there are those large spaces that can be useful or become a dark pit. Keeping my backpack organized is essential for me. I’m not a fan of digging for something I need. In fact, it’s frustrating.
I found this backpack organizer on Amazon and it works perfectly to keep all the bits and pieces I use organized and easy to locate. With the insert, my earpods, computer charger, phone charger, planners, and writing utensils (lots of those) are organized and easy to find in the backpack. This organizer actually comes in two sizes, the one I have is the larger one.
Broccoli & Sausage Egg Casserole
Soooooo, that’s a lot of salt. I should have photographed it with some homemade chili pepper flakes – because they taste amazing on this egg casserole. You can find my recipe for homemade chili flakes HERE. We all have egg bake and egg casserole recipes that we use, but why not try another? This breakfast egg and vegetable casserole is delicious, super easy, and basically foolproof. It’s a go-to for breakfast but is great for brunch and brinner (breakfast for dinner). It’s also pretty healthy too! The ingredients come together quickly, but you could also mix it up the night before if that suits you better. It only takes 30-40 minutes in the oven which allows enough time to pull out some sides like fruit, yogurt, and toast. I often serve it for breakfast when we have overnight guests. The original recipe has spinach in it, and no meat, but we love it with broccoli and breakfast sausage
Broccoli & Sausage Egg Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13 or 10×15 pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground breakfast sausage, like Jimmy Dean
- 8 large eggs
- 16 ounces small curd cottage cheese
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, or choice of cheese
- 4 Tbs butter, cubed
- 6 Tbs Flour
Instructions
- Cook ground sausage, chopping into small pieces. Drain.
- Meanwhile add eggs to a bowl, and whisk together
- Add sausage and remaining ingredients to bowl and mix together
- Pour mixture into a 9×13 pan (or slightly larger)
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.
- Serve with fruit, yogurt or options of your choice
Notes
Gift Ideas
Will any of these items be added to your gift list? Maybe something for yourself, like the cookware or a mesh cloth for a stocking stuffer (be sure to get a mesh cloth for you too). I’d love to hear if you give the egg casserole a try!
Thank you for visiting, reading, and commenting. A blog post involves a good deal of work and time and hearing from you through comments connects me with you. I appreciate you!
