I love the classic style and the great results I get when I make bread in my clay bread baker – the bread always comes out with a wonderful crispy golden crust. I actually have bought quite a few of these pans over the years to give as gifts to friends and family at the holidays or as a housewarming present. The gift is always a big hit since it’s so unique and very useful too. So now I’ve gotten quite a few people hooked on making their own breads and we love sharing our recipes and most of all enjoying the breads.

If I keep a couple cheap fruit recipes handy, I know I’ll be able to use up just about any fruit that I’ve let get a little too ripe for my family’s taste. Of course, everyone has their own idea of what’s too ripe and what’s just ripe enough to be good. In most cases, you’ll know when to use a banana in cooking instead of for eating. They’re usually brown and speckled… and they smell very strong, almost like you’re smelling a “banana extract” instead of the fruit itself. Then you’ll know… it’s time to cook!

I also love the rectangular shape because they fit perfectly in the fridge, unlike the round baking pans that I was using before. These pans are a good size and the sides are plenty deep enough for our favorite family casseroles. The finish on these makes them very easy to clean – even if you burn food like I do and end up with some hard cooked on food around the edges of your pan. Having three of these baking pans gives you options if you don’t need to make a huge amount of food, which is great when everyone isn’t eating dinner at home. The price was terrific for these absolutely perfect baking dishes, I’m actually thinking of getting another set.

Normally, any less expensive cut of beef works very well for crock pot recipes. When I find beef in my freezer that has been there a little too long, I know that the crock pot is the best way to cook it. It’s such a relief not to have to throw out food just because I’ve misplaced it for awhile. This recipe is one of those “budget savers” where you’ll really feel like you got your money’s worth out of your meal. A simple, filling meal that the whole family can appreciate.

Having a family gathering or friends over for dinner? Well mini-muffin pans are also fantastic for making other goodies and desserts. You can make wonderful miniature cheesecakes, chocolate peanut butter cups, and miniature pecan pies. Desserts like these are really pretty simple to pull together but your guests will be quite impressed, as they look fantastic on your serving table.  The pans I own came as a set of 2, which is probably the minimum number of pans you need to make these special desserts. They’re very sturdy, plus the 2-layer nonstick interior coating eliminates the need for flouring pans, so your baked goods come out with a nice smooth finish. These pans are by far one of my favorite kitchen bakeware tools.

Now I’ve started the same tradition with my family. Sunday mornings have once again become pancake mornings in our house. The smell of fresh, warm pancakes fills the house in the morning and my kids can’t wait to sink their forks into those fluffy stacks with the butter and syrup running down the side.  So if you’re ready to start a weekend pancake tradition in your home, make sure you have the right mixers and mixing bowls in your kitchen so you can cook up a batch of perfect pancakes for your family to enjoy.

The recipe came from my great grandma, and continued to be passed down in the family. I can remember the first time I baked it with my mom. I was about six years old and we were baking it for a Christmas dinner. I ended up spilling the apple mixture all over the floor and I was very upset at myself, but my mom just laughed. Although it took us a little more time to bake it than planned, the guests absolutely loved the pie. Whenever I am baking this pie with my kids, I always think about the time I first made the pie.

On the other hand if you are looking for a gorgeous high-end Italian, CocoPazzo is the place to be. CocoPazzo serves homemade pastas and thin-crust pizzas in a festive, wood-ceilinged room.

Chicago has some of the world’s most innovative chefs. With places like the West Loop’s Blackbird and Tru in Streeterville. Or The Everest, which is on the Chicago Stock Exchange’s 40th floor. Since It is Chicago, Celebrity-affiliated restaurants also have a niche.