9 Use Big Baking Trays and Frying Pans

Julia Child once said, ‘The key to succesfully browning mushrooms is space.’ If you overcrowd pans, they steam without browning. Food needs room to sear properly and it’s essential to have a big heavy-based frying pan. Your dishes will cook faster with less chance of burning if the pan has a good thick base. Perfectly browned steaks and seared fish aren’t achievable without a decent pan.

The same principle is true with baking trays. Your chips or roast veggies need that hot air swirling around them to crisp. Put too many on a small tray and they cook up soggy. Pick up some large heavy baking trays so everything can spread out and cook to golden perfection.