Frying pans

[orod741]

The absolute best for all-purpose cooking is enameled cast iron, specifically Le Creuset cookware. Easier to clean in most cases than Teflon. Lasts freaking forever. There's a reason that every high-class cooking show uses it.....and since they don't identify it or sell it, the reason isn't that they're getting paid to do it.
http://www.lecreuset.com/round-dutch-oven
Regular old-fashioned cast iron would be in second place. I think there's just one company in America that makes it now, but I could be wrong about that.

My Le Creuset dutch oven was the best wedding gift we received.

 

[Lone Clone]

My Le Creuset dutch oven was the best wedding gift we received.

Our LeCreuset stuff is more than 35 years old and it's like new in terms of function. Doesn't have to be seasoned, either. One drawback: Not dishwasher safe. But it's so easy to clean it doesn't matter, and I almost always hand-wash the big stuff, anyway. Takes up too much room in the dishwasher.

 

[lucas80]

Dinner last night started with a dozen shrimp liberally seasoned with cayenne pepper and garlic salt in the cast iron skillet. I cooked them about 3/4 of the way and put them in a bowl covered with a paper towel. I threw in a finely diced shallot to start my sauce with consisted of low sodium organic chicken broth and half a point of heavy cream. I let that cook down and threw in a handful of diced jalapenos. Back went in the shrimp and I served over wild rice with roasted asparagus on the side. I diced up one slice of bacon and not so finely diced shallots got a quick turn in the calphalon, then over the asparagus they went.