• Thaw frozen meats and poultry to ensure even cooking.
• No butter, oil, or shortening is needed. Preheat the pan over medium heat for two to three minutes. The pan is hot enough if drops of water dance when sprinkled in it.
• Sear meat on all sides.
• Reduce heat to low and continue cooking as instructed in the recipe. For thicker or larger cuts of meats, cover the pan to complete cooking.
• Place frozen patties, such as hamburgers, in a cold pan and set over low heat. Cover the pan and cook until meat thaws and reaches desired doneness.

Fish:

• Allow frozen fish to thaw in the refrigerator before preparing to ensure even cooking throughout. Use a small amount of seasoned liquid, oil, butter, or vegetable oil spray in the pan before adding the fish.

Dried foods:  

• Use the amount of water or liquid specified in the recipe or on the package for foods such as pasta, rice beans, cereals, soups, and dried fruits or vegetables.  

How to Cook with the Innova Classicor Stainless Steel Cookware System

Remember this simple three-step process for cooking with the stainless steel pots and pans.

• Select the correct size pan. Pans should be at least tow-thirds filled with food. The cover should fit the pan.
  Cover the pan. Place over medium, or medium-high, heat.
• When the correct temperature has been reached, reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cook to the desired doneness, or as instructed in the recipe with the lowest burner setting. If the lid continues to bounce move the pan slightly off the burner. 
  

Heat Control: 

• Heat control is very important to successful cooking. Stoves vary and settings have different heat intensities. Never use high heat. It causes moisture loss, which results in food shrinkage, sticking, and scorching of food. If food starts to stick when cooked over the lowest heat setting, move pan partially off the burner or use a heat-reducing pad on your burner. These can be purchased at appliance or housewares stores.           

Cooking Tips: 

• Salt:  Do not put salt directly in pans. Although stainless steel is exceptionally durable, it is not indestructible. White spots may occur if undissolved salt remains in the bottom of the pan during cooking.  These spots do not affect the use of the pans, nor are they defects in the metal. For pasta or dried foods, add salt after the water is boiling and stir to dissolve the salt. Salt other foods sparingly just before serving.  
• Using Oils:  Fish and eggs have very little natural oil. Lightly coat the pan with butter, margarine, or oil; or use a vegetable spray. Pancakes may also require a light coating of vegetable oil or spray to prevent sticking.  
• Steamer Inset (not included in all sets):  Make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the Inset. Usually, one inch of water is enough; long steaming times may require slightly more water.