Can anyone recommend some quality pots & pans?

We have a good set of stainless steel pots and pans from KitchenAid. I think the set was around $120 and seems really high quality. Use them every day and definitely happy with them.

I am not sure what you consider to be "crazy expensive" when it comes to a set of pots and pans. I will suggest getting stainless steel, or cast iron pans. But mostly stainless steel. The "non stick" is supposed to be easier to clean, but if anything does stick you are kind of stuck yourself becaues if you use anything abbrasive you will scrape off the non stick part, and then it will always be sticky right there. Plus after a few years the black stuff comes off and flakes into your food, and I just don't think that is healthy. It is a nice thought, but stainless steel you can scrub and heat, and they last forever. So $200 for pots that last 10+ years is not a bad investment. 100$ on a set of non-stick pans that last 5 years or less is.

I like Calphalon Brand, and they aren't too expensive for what you get, in my opinion.

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/simply-calphalon-sta...

This is what I would consider crazy expensive, but is a very nice set (copper is also nice to cook in, supposedly conducts the heat better, but I have never used them personally.)

http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/copper-core-cookwa...

And more reasonable:

http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/chef-s-classic-sta...

Try a restaurant supply outlet in your area. That's the best for your dollar. A good set of stainless pots and pans will run between $500 and $900.

Buy her a starter set of stainless AllClads Very expensive but will last a lifetime. And if she knows what they are she'll be impressed. Go to Macy's or Williams Sonoma.

- chef. Paula Deen cookware? Do you live in a trailer?

T-Fal are always a good investment so are buitali I think they are called. You can get both at Walmart for under $200 and will last quite a long time. But don't go for budget products like Chef's Mate or Kitchen Aid... quality is pretty poor.

If you're on a tight budget, the Paula Deen brand at Wal Mart is about a hundred bucks; I've had them about two years and they have done great for me.

T-Fal hard anodized, non-stick but NOT Teflon coated, about $100 for 12-piece set..

I love my Calphalon. Cared for properly, it'll last for years. I've had mine over 10 years, used daily, and they're still great.

You can spend less then 200 bucks for some good cookwares..check on Amazon for more..here a few cookwares from them.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_19?url=se...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_19?url=se...