- An omelet benefits from cooking in a large frying pan. The larger size of the pan allows the dish to cook evenly, creating an easy-to-flip, thin end product. The large pan also lets you stretch the amount of food out so that you can get more servings. Also, use the extra space to really spread out any additional ingredients that you wish to add to the omelet.
- If you don't have a special crepe pan, a large frying pan will work as a substitute. With crepes, it's best to get the pancake as thin as possible. Use plenty of butter when cooking, and ensure the pan is light enough to manipulate so that you can distribute the batter evenly. Even heat is also a concern with large pans and crepes, so give the pan enough time to get hot.
- Fish is excellent for a large pan, especially when in whole-fillet form. A too-small pan can lead to crowding and possible breakage during the cooking process. If the fish is breaded, trying to squeeze a long piece into one pan will usually result in a section of coating that isn't cooked or is overcooked.
- Once again, this is a food that comes in large enough pieces that it benefits from being in a large pan. If you're a fried-chicken fan, a large pan is also necessary to cook a good-sized amount of chicken at once. A large pan is good for holding the liberal quantity of oil needed for crispy, evenly-browned chicken pieces.
- If you don't have a wok, a large pan is the next best substitute for stir fry. Larger pans make stir frying a breeze since they have the size to accommodate large amounts of noodles, meat and vegetables. You'll also have enough space to make a sauce to match your entree.
- Flapjacks are OK in a large frying pan if a griddle is not available. That way, you can prepare a large quantity in a shorter amount of time. The larger pan size also allows for more sizable pancakes, which is a large benefit when you have to feed very hungry folks.
