When I replaced my older pans, I missed my mid-size smaller stockpot that I used for so many things (my DIL is now enjoying it). The newer Sitram pot is 11 qt and don't need that size as frequently. Had been thinking of getting the 6 or 8 qt Cuisinart clad pot, but found an app. 6+qt Inoxpran (am assuming it is Euro)thick disk bottom pot at TJMaxx. What I liked about it was the shape---it is rounded, more like a soup pot and with decorative handles. There was no written material with the pot and not sure if any cladding on the sides although the sides are fairly thick. Price was $40-50 IIRC and took a chance and bought it. Have really enjoyed using it, it simmers wonderfully and have been pleased with everything I have cooked in it. Probably could still use another mid-range stock pot just for boiling pasta etc., but am glad I purchased the new pot.

I asked a similar question when we completed our kitchen. Anyway, I found my old thread, and I will link it below. (as an aside, I mentioned in that thread why I didn't want Corelle). I had seen mention of Ikea 365+ dinnerware in another thread, and was asking about it. I looked at Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Pier 1 and some others. The Ikea 365+ dinnerware is half the price or less of those. An 18-piece set is $30 (we bought two sets). There's plenty of individual stock too. But even setting aside Ikea's amazing price, the dinnerware was perfect for us. It's actual feldspar porcelain. Not made in China either, if that matters to you. And I can say, a year and a half later, with hard use, there's not one chip, and it microwaves great too. One thing no one thinks of is how the dishes will fit in the dishwasher. I've had dishes that aren't very flat, and/or are very thick, and they took up a lot of room in the DW. The Ikea 365+ dishes are somewhat flat, so they fit in the tynes of our DW easily, and we can really squeeze a bunch of them into our DW with everything coming out clean. Also, check the depth of your cabinets - there have been threads by people spending money on dinnerware only to find it won't fit in their cabinets cause the diameters are 12" or more. The Ikea dinner plate is 11" diameter. At the same time, a must-have for us were dishes with rims; a pet peeve is a dish with no rim that allows food to spill out. We use it everyday, and also used it for Thanksgiving (we don't have storage space for everyday china and "good" china), and it looked lovely on our Thanksgiving table. Yes, it is very plain, but I like that. I think Ikea also offers dishes with some colors if you want to mix and match to jazz it up. Just my $.02. [P.S. we also bought the Ikea Pokal glasses - what a deal! A year and a half later, no chips or breaks, and it is very hard to tip them over. They stack too.] Thread about Ikea dinnerware Ikea 365+ Dinnerware Ikea Pokal glasses

ever since making cranberry jezabel a few years ago, i decided that i actually liked cranberry sauce! not a doubt in my mind that i need to do a test run on that ginger/pear recipe! and what's even more clear is that i am just going to have to try out marilyn's version of stuffing! and you are right, ann--you don't mess with family favorites on thanksgiving and i know that ted's sister would just love that sweet potato recipe of yours and i'm going to make sure she gets it--thank you! and thanx for the "cheater baked beans" chase. i've made annie's several time and i'm sure we'd enjoy your version as well--we both are fans of limas! and of COURSE your family must have those beautiful dills of yours! it just wouldn't be right, otherwise...i'm glad you and elery will be able to share the time together annie, and raise a toast to all that have gone before us. sometimes traditions change long before we are ready for them to do so... i was going to try out one other new dish this year--an apple and cranberry sauce. it smelled so good while it was cooking that i even toyed with the idea of making some little pastry cups and adding in a teaspoon or two of the leftover sauce for later on. well--back to the drawing board. there wasn't room for everything in the fridge and it's been quite cold out so i put the covered sauce pan out on the deck and sort of forgot about it. we had just finished mixing the stuffing last night and time to rearrange things, and i remembered my sauce! so i went out to get it. man, that saucepan was HEAVY! well you boob. we'd had a driving rain the night before and that lid just couln't compete with the wind--my cranberry sauce is now soup! ladle anyone? anyway, a clink of my coffee cup to all--hope you have a wonderful and peaceful day regardless of what is or isn't on the menu this year!

I am getting food service dishes from Niagara Ceramics from a restaurant supply store. This company is the former 'Buffalo China', post management buy-out. The downside is that you have to order at least a dozen dishes of most things, sometimes 3 dozen. Pros are the stuff looks nice, is practically indestructible (does NOT chip), has a glazed foot (so it won't scratch surfaces as easily), and comes in a wide variety of sizes. There are many different styles. Looking at the downloadable catalog, it looks like they do not have square plates, but will post this anyway in case others are interested. Their more modern style is 'coupe'. Here is a link to their online catalog; contact your local restaurant supply store for prices. Note: Do not confuse 'Niagara China' and vintage 'Buffalo China' with other 'Buffalo China' sold in the market today-- that stuff is cheap quality made overseas. Niagara China's products have been made in Buffalo, NY for decades. Here is a link that might be useful: Niagara Ceramics