How to spend $100??

If you can find an enameled cast iron Dutch oven, I'd say go for it. I use mine constantly. Just got it 9 months ago and now I don't know how I ever cooked without it. 

I know she's catchin' a bunch of sh!+ right now, but the Martha Stewart line of cast iron enamel Dutch ovens at Macys look to be well made and the ones I looked at had thick bottoms, nice straight sides and good fitting lids.  The Mario Batali Dutch oven looks good as well and have been discontinued in many stores for steeper discount.

 

I didn't have a card to spend so I ended up buying a Le Creuset 9 qt. and a Staub 7.5 qt on fleebay for $80 ea.

I have the Batali 6.5 qt. My only complaint with it is that it is a bit heavier than others of its size and it is extremely heavy when full. On the up side, it has a metal knob on the lid, so it can be used for those no knead bread recipes that need to go in the oven at a fairly high temp. with the lid on.

I've been very fortunate to have bought a few nice items for the kitchen recently, so I don't need much now. .......... However, I would recomend the things I bought. Personally, I don't care for Cuisinart products, but in researching a sauce pot recently I realized they have a very substantial professional line of pots, and at a relativly good price. Also I bought two DeBuyer skillets; these can also be used, confidently, as home defense weapons.

I have a cheapy enameled cast iron dutch oven. Must be a 4 Qt. (dosen't say). Perfect for my mac&cheese.

Funny you say that....when someone gave me a $100 to TJ Maxx, I used it to buy the largest size Le Crueset (enamel covered cast iron) pan that they make. It was one the best purchases I've ever made. By far my most-used piece of cookware in the kitchen. You will not regret buying one. If you can't find a Le Crueset at HomeGoods, Ross or TJ Maxx; try looking for one made by Chantal or Staubb. They will out perform some of the less expensive ones, by not scratching as easily, heating more consistently and easily, and cleaning up nicely.

I buy a load of cooking equipment at TJ Maxx  their prices are good , but most of it is seconds , nothing wrong with .A scratch or two is ok by me, if I can save 50%, it has nothing to do with cooking quality. No one looks at my pots anyway.

Funny this should come up just now. I had to send back a Breville slow cooker to Williams Sonoma because I actually cut my hand on the lid of the darn thing- the edge was that sharp. They had me send it back, sent me a new one (I'm mostly satisfied with the thing otherwise) and also sent me a $100 WS gift card. I've been contemplating what to buy.

 

I don't have a need for large pots; they're heavier than I can manage any more, beautiful and useful as they are. I have nearly all the All-Clad I want (never say "I have all the All-Clad I could want"!), at least for now, and my knives are in good condition and there's a good array of them. All I need at the moment is a new meat mallet. I don't even like the ones they have at WS, so now what?  Happy problem, I know, but still.... 

Pick up a Max Burton 6000 induction burner.

 "All I need at the moment is a new meat mallet."

 

Mezz-

 

Don't you remember your lessons from the Frugal Gourmet?  He took great pride in doing the pounding with a 16-inch length of 2" x 4"  

 

I would second the suggestion to get the Max Burton 6000; it will do a lot of things, is portable, and these days goes for about $80 if you shop around a little. It goes really well with a stovetop smoker if you're careful to position the chips over the burner, which is not a difficult trick at all.

 

Mike

You should obviously purchase something you've needed or wanted in the kitchen, but you could also treat yourself to some spices that you normally wouldn't have purchased otherwise.

 

I see my spice cabinet as a "chemistry set", and I enjoy reading about a particular spice, getting familiar with it, and experimenting / incorporating it in various dishes. While it might not be a big deal for a professional chef, as a home cook, my latest acquisitions were cardimom pods, star anise, fenugreek, fleur de sel, saffron, and whole nutmeg.
 

Have fun : )

 

Tommy