Summer is knocking on the door, and when it comes to summer meals (and, what we cook them in), we rarely think of roasting. You know, a roasting pan is perfect for the holidays, right? You use it for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, then it sits in the kitchen cabinet for the next 10 months.
Well, as RJ Manoni of Swiss Diamond tells us (in the short interview below), roasting pans are the ideal cooking vessel all year round.
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I haven’t had the opportunity to try this roasting pan from Swiss Diamond, but I do have several Swiss Diamond pieces that I first tested several years ago for a Consumers Digest article on cookware and bakeware. What I often find with testing product for an article such as this, is that I conduct my testing, and then give my assessment immediately so the article can be published. But, for those few choice samples I do get to keep, I continue to use them and gain greater insight into their longevity. With that said, the Swiss Diamond cookeware pieces that remain in my cupboards years after the original testing, are still performing well – and are some of our most favorite pieces to use.
What I find appealing about the Swiss Diamond Nonstick Roasting Pan is that it can be used on a variety of cooktops (Gas, Electric, Radiant Ring, Ceramic, Halogen) as well as in the oven. So go ahead and sear your meat in it, then add veggies to the pan and slide it in the oven. The cast aluminum construction provides for great heat distribution, helping to eliminate hot spots. And, Swiss Diamond® cookware features a patented nonstick cooking surface reinforced with real diamond crystals, ensuring easy clean-up!
Read on to hear what Manoni of Swiss Diamond has to say about how to choose the best roasting pan.
Family Eats: What should our readers consider when purchasing a roasting pan?
Manoni: Most people immediately start thinking about the size of their family when they start thinking about a new roasting pan. While that’s for sure something to consider, you’ll also want to consider what you’re likely to make in it. For instance, it takes a lot more space to cook enough Cornish Game Hens for 4 people then It would to make a boneless roast beef.
The general rule of thumb that we use to steer people in the right direction is if you usually cook for your household and no one else, go with the 4.8 QT Swiss Diamond roaster, and if you cook for extended family or friends often, look into the slightly bigger 5.3 Qt XD Nonstick Roasting Pan. Ideally, your roasting pan should be at least 5cm larger on all sides than the meat you are wishing to roast, this ensures the roasting liquids don’t evaporate and burn, leaving you with no gravy, and possibly drying out the meat.
Family Eats: What are essentials to look for when choosing a roasting dish?
Manoni: When looking for a roasting dish, again take in to consideration what you plan on cooking. Most of the time, you don’t need something overly deep. As stated above, you want to have enough room to cook the meat well, but not so much that the amount of fat that drains off doesn’t produce enough liquid. The thing about roasting pans is that you don’t necessarily need the most heat conductive, as you’ll have the whole thing in the oven. However, when you think about the coating, a good nonstick coating that can take the heat will save you a lot of time after the dinner is over.
Family Eats: Please tell us about the versatility of the wonderful roasting pan, not just for holidays, but every day.
Manoni: Most people remember the roasting pans when the weather gets cold, and turkey starts showing up on the menu. However, the roasting dishes really start to become the star in the spring time for our Swiss Diamond chef team. Fresh veggies from Spring through Fall almost demand to be roasted. In talking with hundreds of home chefs, it seems the reason that people are tentative about pulling out the roasting pan is because the baked-on food that takes forever to clean. Swiss Diamond has the solution to that with our top-rated nonstick coating, making clean up a breeze.
Family Eats: Please tell us a bit more about the Swiss Diamond Roasting Pans.
Manoni: A roasting pan is a must-have for any home chef. If holiday cooking or large meals are your specialty, a Swiss Diamond nonstick Roasting Pan is exactly what you need to cater to a full-size family. Now containing the enhanced Swiss Diamond XD coating, this pan features not only a new nonstick diamond-reinforced coating formulation, but also an advanced PFOA-free and eco-friendly production process.
Designed for years of trouble-free cooking and easy home cleanup, the rivet-free surface conducts heat evenly and is easy to clean. Simply wash with warm water and a soapy sponge for an effortless clean. The extra thick, cast aluminum body has a perfectly flat base that will not warp while in in the oven or when cooling down. Nothing conducts heat more quickly or efficiently than diamonds, and the new coating is designed to be used without access oils or butters, ideal for years of healthy eating.
The XD coating also features a significantly improved seal between the cooking surface and the aluminum base, making a more durable layer with even better food release properties. The cast aluminum construction also provides perfect heat distribution that eliminates hot spots. Brown your meat on the stove top, then transfer to the oven (up to 500°F) to roast, and then back to the stovetop to prepare your gravy. The premium coating provides an excellent base for rich and flavorful pan drippings, and durable construction will provide you years of delicious meats, casseroles, lasagna’s and more.
Thank you for the insight, Swiss Diamond!
