Why You Need This Classic Dutch Oven, According to a Michelin-Starred Chef (2024)

FAQs

Why You Need This Classic Dutch Oven, According to a Michelin-Starred Chef? ›

One of the greatest benefits offered by a Dutch oven is heat retention. Cast iron Dutch ovens heat slowly and are prone to having hot spots, but also retain heat extremely well. This makes them well suited for browning meat or vegetables, as they won't lose temperature quite as fast as pans made of other materials.

Dutch ovens are great for stews, sauces, soups, braises or any other moist-heat cooking method. This pot can cook a casserole or a whole chicken.

And while there are plenty of sizes to choose from, like oval Dutch ovens, or shallow Dutch ovens, Cimarusti prefers the classic Le Creuset 5.5-quart Dutch oven. “The attention to detail is just great,” he says. If a Michelin-starred chef uses one everyday, it's worth adding to your kitchen.

The Dutch oven—or as I like to call it, the analog crock pot—is a favorite among those who love cooking. The hype around Dutch ovens exists for good reason: They are highly effective, beautiful, dynamic, and durable pieces of cookware.

Like their Dutch ovens, Le Creuset coat their skillets in durable enamel, which enhances the flavor of your food and reduces the need for traditional seasoning. The only downside is that the skillets aren't dishwasher-safe, and you might have to give them a good scrub to get clean.

But in slang, a Dutch oven is when you pass gas in bed and pull the covers over someone else's head, trapping it in like a Dutch oven traps heat.

It produces high-quality cast iron pieces, meaning they retain heat well, and they're coated with enamel, which makes cleanup very easy and enhances the variety of rich colors Le Creuset offers.

Hardworking Dutch ovens can do anything from slow-cooking pork shoulder, braising short ribs, simmering tomato sauce, baking a loaf of no-knead bread, or even handling stir-fries if you don't have a wok.

Do not plunge a hot pan into cold water. While Le Creuset's enamel is designed to be the most durable on the market, thermal shock may still occur, resulting in cracking or loss of enamel. If there are food residues, fill the pan with warm water and let soak for 15 to 20 minutes before washing.

1. Lodge Dutch Ovens. Lodge Dutch ovens are a popular and highly regarded alternative to Le Creuset. Made of cast iron, Lodge Dutch ovens are known for their excellent heat retention and even heat distribution.

Is Le Creuset made in China? ›

The company has manufacturing facilities in France, Thailand, and China, and its products are sold in more than 60 countries around the world. While some Le Creuset products are made in China, the company's enameled cast iron products are still made in its original foundry in France.

To have an alcoholic drink right before a task you are dreading. This term originates from a time when England was fighting a war alongside the Dutch. The English soldiers noticed that Dutch sailors took their alcohol allowance just before battle, whereas the English Royal Navy men drunk throughout the whole day.

The casserole pot serves the same purpose as a Dutch Oven, but it is much easier to handle due to its lighter weight. Unlike the heavy cast iron, casserole pots can be made from materials such as cast aluminium, ceramic, or glass.

The high sides of a Dutch oven also means less splatter all over your stovetop, which can only be a good thing. One of the biggest differences between raw and enamel is that enameled cast iron doesn't require seasoning and is relatively easy to clean.