Copper Topper

I love to cook, and like most newly weds I'm still learning. One of the first things I learned: heat is the most important ingredient in the kitchen, and copper is the best conductor of heat. Unfortunately good copper cookware comes from Europe, and most European cookware is expensive, heavy, and lined with tin.  

For Americans that want the benefits of copper cookware, but don't want to spend $200 for a frying pan, Calphalon's TryPly Copper Cookware is a good blend of European copper cookware and All Clad cookware. Lined with 18/10 stainless steel, it is a cinch to clean; and the 2mm of copper are surrounded by an aluminum core for heat conduction like All Clad.  Like all good cookware, it has riveted handles, fitted lids, and is oven safe to 500 degrees.

Best of all, unlike the thousands of dollars copper sets can cost, Calphalon's Copper series is made in the U.S. and 70% cheaper. A 10 piece set is available at Cooking.com and Crate and Barrel for $450.

Now that's something to relish.