Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus to facilitate straining requirements. The cooking apparatus includes a pot and lid that can be securely integrated to function as a strainer. The lid includes a circumferentially extending flange that is designed to slide into the pot and rest on the rim of the pot. The flange includes a pair of opposing perforation regions and a pair of opposing protrusion elements. The pot includes a corresponding pair of notches and channels to receiving the protrusion elements to secure the lid to the pot. In a straining position the lid is secured to the pot, with the protrusion elements positioned in the channels and with the perforations regions aligned with dipped outer edges in the rim of the pot to facilitate pouring and straining. In a non-straining position the lid is merely resting in the notches to permit easy removal of the lid.