Q: I am one of those "can't boil water" people who never really cooks. I want to learn, but I'm not sure where to start. I'm finally moving into my own place this summer and I don't have any tools of my own. What do I need and what are some easy recipes that I can start learning with?

I absolutely love the smooth chicness of anything matte black, particularly in the kitchen. With so much that's already bright and shiny in that room — stainless steel appliances! Shimmering tile! Glossy ceramic plates! — I find matte textures a welcome diversion. They're understated yet still glamorous. Here are a few matte black kitchen and dining things I've had my eye on lately, from a simple faceted vase to a mind-blowing Bertazzoni range. (Guess which one I will not be purchasing anytime soon.)

Q: I have an All-Clad, Stainless Nonstick 10" frypan. I got it with the intention of cooking without using fats/oils, however, every time I make my beloved scrambled eggs, they stick! What's up with that? 

I found a surprising note on the new nonstick pan I purchased. While the instructions noted that the pan had been fully seasoned and was ready for use, it suggested seasoning the pan twice a year to maintain its finish. Hold on a minute, we're supposed to season nonstick pans?  

Q: My husband and I just bought our first house and in the kitchen (a very old kitchen) I found this "tool." It has an inscription on the side that says "ASTUGRID," and a series of numbers. Does anyone know what this is? 

Q: I just bought a cast-iron skillet, and I love it, of course! I'm dying to make shakshuka in it this weekend. However, I've read online that cooking with tomatoes can harm the seasoning on less-seasoned skillets. Will it really strip my seasoning or give my shakshuka a metallic taste? Is there anything I can do to get around that?

Q: Can I use oven cleaner on a stainless steel pot without damaging it? The bottom has some "burnt on" residue and a plain scrubbie pad has not made a dent. Any suggestions?

Sent by Barb

All week long we've been sharing our discoveries from this year's Home + Housewares show. We showed you this awesome new Greek Yogurt maker and Bodum's game-changing stand mixers. We revealed KitchenAid's new colors and Dansk's adorable teacups. But now it's time to round up a few of our absolute favorites, the prettiest and most eye-catching items in the bunch:

More

Dansk Kobenstyle cookware is a darling of vintage cookware collectors. We love its mid-century styling and the practical enameled steel construction. (I have several vintage pieces that I use regularly!) So, last year, the big news at Housewares was that Dansk Kobenstyle was coming back, reissued and all new, but still in its classic form. We saw it up close this year, and really liked some of the new colors (teal, slate, stainless steel) and new pieces — hello adorable teacups! More

Although muffin pans are typically used for their namesake, there are many other breakfast items that can also be whipped up in a jiffy and cooked in one. Small premade breakfasts are great for making ahead and eating throughout the week. Here are a few new ways to put that old pan to use. More