Let's talk about the Always Pan. I'm sure you've seen it on social media - even if you didn't know the name of it. Created as the staple product of the brand Our Place, the Always Pan is a non-toxic, non-stick skillet that is marketed to replace 8 pieces of traditional cookware in your kitchen.
It has a cult-like following on the internet and has been featured on publications like The New York Times to Vogue. Needless to say it's a pretty coveted piece of cookware that a lot of people now use on a daily basis. A few weeks ago the Our Place team was kind enough to send me one of the Always Pans and I got right to cooking.
Generic reviews about this multi-talented skillet can be found all over the internet so I wanted to share a post with a bit more practical information (i.e. Always Pan recipes and what I successfully made in the pan).
The Our Place Always Pan Review
First Impressions: right out of the well-branded box my first and only thought was how lightweight the pan (and more specifically the lid) was.
Maybe because I'm used to cooking with my cast iron giants that the skillet and lid's weight came as a surprise, but it was a great one! I was very impressed by the packaging. Opening up the box you're greeted by the pan, lid, and steaming basket – separated so they don't scratch in transit – along with the wooden spoon, a reusable scrub brush for cleaning the pan, and some info about the pan.
First Time Cooking With It – I made a fried egg. I personally think cooking an egg in a nonstick skillet is the ultimate test of how nonstick it actually is. Well, the egg ended up sliding right out of the pan and onto the floor ( just a case of user error & enthusiasm ) so I'd say it passed the nonstick test with flying colors.
Always Pan Review
- Ceramic nonstick skillet made without PFOAs and PTFES
- Comes with a steaming basket insert that is genius for dumplings and veggies!
- Comes with a wooden spoon that snuggles into the handle and fits under the lid
- The handle doesn't get hot
- Comes in 8 beautiful colors (I have Char)
- It's big! Like big enough to cook a one pot meal for a family of 4 in it
- You can try it free for 100 days and get free shipping and free returns
- It is not oven safe, which is a little bit of a bummer especially if you're used to finishing recipes off in the oven.
5 Recipes to Make In The Our Place Always Pan
Butter Garlic Noodles with Steamed Veggies
A quick and easy, one-pot Friday night dinner made so much easier with my Always Pan.
Ingredients:
- Rice noodles (or ramen noodle packets - for 2 people I use 3 ramen packets)
- Seasonal veggies of your choice – I love to use zucchini, peas, green onion, mushroom
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 3-4 cloves fresh garlic
- pepper
- Red Pepper flakes *optional
Process:
- boil water in Always Pan and cook your noodles for 3-4 minutes
- drain & set aside
- turn skillet to hot and add in your chopped veggies to sauté with a bit of avocado oil
- set veggies aside and melt 1/2 stick of butter in Always Pan
- mince your garlic into the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes
- Immediately add in the noodles and veggies
- Toss together and serve with pepper, red pepper flakes and sesame seeds on top
Soft Egg Scramble
Like an omelet but much less pretty, although no less tasty.
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs for 2 people
- milk
- salt
- pepper
- cheese of choice
- meat of choice *optional
- veggies of choice
Directions:
- crack eggs into separate bowl & whisk with milk
- finely chop your veggies and meat
- turn burner to Medium- High heat
- add eggs to skillet (let them sit still for a minute or two)
- add in your veggies and meat
- slowly start to scramble eggs until they're a fluffy consistency
- turn off heat, add in cheese, cover with lid for 1-2 minutes then serve
Parmesan Orzo with Spring Onions in the Always Pan
the perfect spring/summer side dish served hot or cold
Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo
- 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
- finely grated or fresh parmesan - 1/4 cup
- salt / pepper
- spring peas or spring onions
- 2 tbsp butter
Directions:
- place Always Pan on medium-high burner
- add butter and once melted add in your orzo
- move it gently around the pan until it gets a little toasted
- add in your chicken stock and bring to a boil
- reduce heat and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes
- once all the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is the desired consistency turn off the heat and add in your parmesan
- gently combine and top with fresh peas or spring onions
- serve hot or cold
2 Foods That Come Out Perfectly Every Time in the Always Pan
Steamed Dumplings
Note: the steaming basket works wonders for your dumplings without making a mess! We LOVE LOVE the Trader Joe's frozen pork dumplings.
Just dump them into your Always Pan Steaming basket (that comes with your pan) cover with water, bring to a simmer, and cover for 8-10 minutes.
Fried or Sunny Side Up Egg
Minus the first mishap, eggs have come out perfectly every time in the Always Pan and the BEST part is the clean up. No matter what kind of egg you make all that's required is a simple wipe out with a paper towel and you're finished. No egg residue stuck to the bottom, no soaking or scraping – just a simple swipe and back in the cupboard.
More Our Place Pan Recipes
For the busy ones of us, these recipes are tried and true around here – with some modifications to make them healthier or gluten free for me. I love a good one pot (or pan) meal and these are perfect to whip up after a long day when you need a healthy and substantial dinner.