A French Oven You Can Live In – My Favorite Pot – AKA Dutch Oven
Just as my cast iron skillet is my go-to pan for all kinds of frying and sautéeing, this Le Creuset 5.5 quart French Oven is the pot I turn to first for soups, stews, braises, chili, etc. It isn’t quite big enough for boiling a full pound of pasta, but for anything else that involves sizable volumes of liquid, it is game-on.
Why is this a great pot?
- It is made from cast iron, which holds a lot of heat, so when you add food, the temperature doesn’t drop as much as it would in a lighter pan.
- It is enameled, so you can cook reactive foods like tomato sauce in it that aren’t appropriate for raw cast iron.
- It has a tight fitting lid that holds in moisture. It won’t rattle as it simmers and let out steam.
- It can go right in the oven. The handle on the lid is made from a composite that is good up to 500 degrees.
- It looks beautiful, and you can pick from a variety of colors to suit your style.
But… the real reason is #6: it just feels good. You know how some things have soul and some don’t? These pots have soul. I can’t really explain it any other way except that I just enjoy cooking in it, and will pretty much look for any excuse to do so.
What else can I say? These pots are a sizable investment, but I can’t imagine you regretting the purchase. They also make a fantastic wedding present. I love to give gifts that the recipient will use their whole lives and pass on to their children, and this would be one of my top choices.