Hooray Le Creuset!
Martha has one. So does Ina, Giada, Emeril and pretty much any chef that is worth his sea salt in the foodie community.
What I am talking about?
The Le Creuset Dutch Oven, of course!
You can spot the ubiquitous cast iron jack-of-all-trades pot in all the colors of the rainbow in magazines, cookbooks and cooking shows the world over.
Ever since I started watching the Food Network I got hooked on the versatility of this quality piece and have dreamed of one day having my very own multi-tasking French Dutch Oven.
Yeah, sure some of the popular celeb chefs like Rachel Ray, Mario Batali and even Queen Martha have created knock-offs of their own, for about half the price, but there was always one thing missing.
It was not a Le Creuset!
Sorry folks, but in this cooks opinion, nothing can compare to that classic French quality and reputation of Le Creuset.
Nope, not even Queen Martha or Molto Mario.
Le Creuset is a French brand that has been around since 1925 and is the world's leading manufacturer of quality Enameled Cast Iron cookware. They are the mainstay of French chefs.
The crème de la crème of cookware. They have that je ne sais quoi.
This particular Dutch Oven is made from a cast iron mold. The inside is coated in the highest quality vitreous enamel, the lid has a perfectly tight fit which ensures the moisture and flavor are retained in the cooking. The knob is made from a heat resistant material which is oven-proof to 375*, so you won't get third degree burns stirring your soup. Yep, we have all been there!
They are very versatile pieces as well. You can cook on the stove-top, bake in the oven or store leftovers in the fridge...all in the same pot!
Can you say easy-peazy clean up!
So, why I am I blathering on about all this you might ask?
Well, after 5 years of wishing and hoping, dreaming and drooling, today with a gift certificate in hand, I hauled ass over to Warren Cutlery this morning to be first in line for their 20% off sale. Needless to say, I am now the proud very proud owner of a new Le Creuset Dutch Oven in Cherry Red.
courtesy of Warren Cutlery
Isn't she a beauty? I feel like a teenage boy with his first new shiny red Camero. Can't wait for a test drive!
My only dilemma now? What recipe I should use to christen my new cookware?
My options are endless. Risotto, soup, stew, Italian tomato sauce? Or perhaps something I have never attempted before, like a Beef Bourguignon or Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic?
Oh, the possibilities...
Tell me, do you have a Dutch Oven? Do you love it?
What is your favorite recipe to make with it? What do you think my first dish should be?
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yes!
i had almost forgotten
in this hot, hot weather
where we eat only salads and lightly,
i do!
2 in blue.
#18 and the #22.
:-)
way, way old
but used mostly in winter
for soup.
#18---> for small family
#22---> for large
you will soon find out
you will began The Collection...
{{ don't say i did not warn you }}
Posted by: somepinkflowers | July 13, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Oh Yes...when I got married, 41 years ago, my mother, the Francophile, gave me a complete set of Le Creuset. It finally died last year.
My favorite dishes were cassoulet and French onion soup...
MMmmmm!!
Visit my blog!
www.caringisnotenough.wordpress.com/
Posted by: NurseTerry | July 13, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Oh yes, and boeuf bourgenion (sp)!
Posted by: NurseTerry | July 13, 2008 at 01:38 PM
I have one of these...but not that make, still does the job :-)
Posted by: anne | July 13, 2008 at 03:00 PM
SPF~ I hear ya. The thought of cooking makes me sweat bullets...but, but, it is my new toy- so I must suffer through!!
Terr~ Yes cassoulet and the beef!! So, what you are telling me is that I won't need another Le Creuset until I am an octagenarian. By then I won't be able to cook anyway :)
Anne- Oh, I am sure it does. But, I am just one of those who gets something stuck in her craw and then...well, you know the rest ;)
Posted by: My Mélange | July 13, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Dear Robin,
Sharing in your Le Creuset Joy!
Glad you went with RED.
It's a classic!
Bon Appetit!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | July 13, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Very interesting stuff ;-)
Hi, I found you a couple of days ago following some links and I really liked your blog, I think I'll visit you again, so I'm adding you in my blogroll, I hope you agree.
I'm an Italian young woman from Bologna who is going to move to low Piedmont for love.
I hope to know you better, let's keep in touch, ciao!
Posted by: Desi @ TheItalianVoice | July 13, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Constance~ The color was a hard decision- but in the end I didn't care 'cause it was on sale. Red is a classic!!
Desi~ Hi and welcome!!! Glad you found me. I will pop on over for a visit to your blog as well- come back any time :) Piedmont, hmm...they have some great wine there, don't they???? Wine and love- what better reason to move?
Posted by: My Mélange | July 13, 2008 at 06:16 PM
I do...yellow...I use it for EVERYTHING and love it! but must say sometimes it's a bit heavy for me when I have to one handed handle it...
Make something yummy!
Posted by: stephanie | July 13, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I LOOOOOOOVE shopping for kitchen gadgets and gizmos and equipment. Do you seriously expect us to believe that you bought only the Dutch Oven. 'fess up, what other goodies did you get!!!
Posted by: joanne at frutto della passione | July 14, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Stephanie~ Oooohhhh yellow! Adding a little sunshine to your kitchen ;)
Joanne~ Oh, ok, you beat it out of me...I also bought a tiny silicone spreader, a cool strawberry huller, some cellulose pop up sponges, a parmesan cheese knife and a silicone cover for our cast iron grill pan that get soooo hot. Whew!
Posted by: My Mélange | July 14, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Lucky you!! I'm sure it will give you and your guests many years of culinary pleasure. I thought a great recipe for your Le Creuset could be a brasato in red wine. It's more of a winter dish but I'm sure it would turn out great. Here's a link to a recipe: http://www.italian-food-recipes.net/2007/11/brasato-secondo.html
I'd use a Barolo instead of Barbera but it's much more expensive.
Posted by: Milanese Masala | July 14, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Oh yes, the real thing is great! I love to make Bolognese sugo in the large casserole, no splatters on the stove, and the thick bottom is ideal for slow cooking.
May I point out that IKEA (yes, that Swedish furniture store! *smile*) carries enamaled cast iron cookware (Made in FRANCE!!!!!!)? In my cooking experience with two of their Dutch ovens I could not dedect a difference in quality to the Le C brand. Even though it costs less than half of the famous elder! ;-)
Posted by: Merisi | July 15, 2008 at 05:17 AM
Linda~ Hey, thanks so much for the link to the recipe. i will check it out. Anything with red wine has my vote ;)
Merisi~ Oh my. I will have to check that out!!! A girl might need 2 Dutch Ovens ;)
Posted by: My Mélange | July 15, 2008 at 07:26 AM
I bought myself a yellow one at an outlet a couple of years ago...I've used it for two of Ina's recipes: the Boeuf Bourgignon and her Chicken with Morels. You are going to love, love, love it, I'm sure!!!
Posted by: Angie | July 15, 2008 at 11:40 AM
I wouldn't know how to cook with anything other than my Le Creuset pots and pans..!
Copies pale in comparison, I'm sure you'd agree..:)
Posted by: India J | August 05, 2008 at 02:46 PM
India J~ Yes, I would agree ;) No Rachel Ray cookware for me!! I love the Le Creuset!!
Posted by: My Mélange | August 05, 2008 at 05:52 PM