Got this 3 qt casserole pan ages ago. Probably a wedding gift, one of those things you get and then shove in a cupboard, you know?
For the longest time, it just sat there. Doing nothing. I’d look at it sometimes and think, what am I even gonna do with that? It seemed like an awkward size. Too small for a proper family meal, I reckoned, and maybe too big if I was just cooking for myself. So, it gathered dust, mostly.
Then the main oven decided to just up and quit on me. Kaput. Right in the middle of a Tuesday, of course, when I had actual plans for dinner. I tell you, it was a bit of a scramble. Relying on the microwave and a tiny little countertop oven wasn’t exactly my idea of fun. Felt like I was back in my student days, trying to cook a decent meal with hardly anything.
That’s when I remembered that pan. Pulled it out from the back of the cupboard. Gave it a good wash, blew off the metaphorical cobwebs. I figured, well, I’ve got nothing to lose at this point. I had to make something work.
So, I started experimenting. My first attempt was a small shepherd’s pie. I carefully layered the meat and the potatoes, wondering if it would even cook through properly in that little countertop thing. Shoved it in and crossed my fingers.
And you know what? It actually worked. It wasn’t just edible; it was pretty darn good. The portion size was just right for two people, which was a surprise. This thing I’d ignored for years suddenly showed some promise.
After that, I got a bit braver. I tried making a small batch of mac and cheese in it. Then some baked ziti. Because it was smaller, things cooked a bit faster too, which was a bonus. I even made a fruit crumble in it one weekend when I was craving something sweet. It was perfect for those smaller, comforting dishes.
I found out it fits perfectly in my air fryer too, which was a game changer. I could get a really nice crispy top on things like a tuna noodle casserole or a cheesy potato bake. Easy clean-up too, most of the time. Better than wrestling with a giant roasting tin for a small meal.
It’s not one of those fancy, expensive pans you see in magazines. It’s pretty basic, really. It’s picked up a few scratches along the way, a little chip on the enamel by the handle. But that’s fine. It shows it’s been used, been part of the kitchen properly.
That whole experience with the broken oven, it kind of made me rethink things. I used to be one for wanting all the specialized gadgets, the biggest pots and pans. My cupboards were overflowing with stuff I hardly ever touched.
But being forced to make do with less, well, it taught me a lesson. It’s not always about having the newest or the shiniest. Sometimes, it’s about actually using what you’ve got, and figuring out how to make it work for you. That 3 qt casserole pan isn’t just taking up space anymore. I reach for it all the time now. It’s become a proper workhorse in my kitchen. Funny how things turn out, isn’t it?
