Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Oct 9, 2015 17:36:23 GMT -5
I have never owned a dutch oven. My supermarket has a cast iron one (and I assume it's ceramic on the outside) half price- $40.
What can I make in this, and how does it differ from my regular big pots? Do you put it in the oven, or use stovetop? Is it a waste because I have a crockpot?
Talk me into/out of buying this!
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 9, 2015 17:41:05 GMT -5
I have never put my dutch oven in the actual oven, but it's painted enamel on the outside. $40 is a good price for a good one, definitely pick that up! as far as what you can do with it, so many things. I make chilis, soups, stews. just google dutch oven recipes and see what sounds good. what can I do with my dutch oven?
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Oct 9, 2015 17:45:53 GMT -5
Well, I'm not the most experienced cook, but I like the cast iron dutch oven because it is heavy enough to cook quickly and evenly on my crummy electric range. It is faster than a crock pot so it is easier to time when you add things so a stew won't end up mush. I've yet to use it in the oven so no advice there. Oh and other than being heavy it is really easy to clean.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Oct 9, 2015 18:07:58 GMT -5
I my dutch ovens and cast iron skillets... I cook pretty much everything stove-top in my skillets, but use the dutch oven for all kinds of stuff. Chili, baked beans, stews, pulled pork, chicken dishes... I use it in the oven all the time. I have two enameled ones (one small, one is like a really deep skillet more than the oven), and one non-enameled. I prefer it to the crock pot because the meat cooks better, I can adjust the end amounts of liquid better by covering, not covering, adding liquid, etc. I can't do that with the crock pot. I've even baked bread in mine. The only thing I've done in the dutch oven that I've decided not to do in the future is applesauce. It tasted fine, but turned a really unappetizing grey color. I have already bought my son one of the small enameled ones for when he moves out, so I'm all for talking you into it, lol.
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Oct 9, 2015 18:14:37 GMT -5
The good thing about cast iron Dutch oven is that if the zombies ever come around and there is no electricity, you can cook on a fire directly! So, in a way, buying one is good common sense, apocalypse prepping! Price wise...I have no idea but I can tell you with certainty that said cast iron Dutch oven is Made in China!
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Oct 9, 2015 18:16:53 GMT -5
I splurged a few years ago and bought Le Creuset cast iron cookware. I love my 7.5 qt oval one, it is used for large beef roasts, double batches of chili. I have a 4.5 round one that is used for chicken & dumplings, stew made for 4 people. Two of the best features is that it keeps food hot and cold. Le Creuset also cleans no matter what gets burned onto it. 10 minutes of soaking in warm soapy water and use of a scrubby will have it sparking clean.
I'd say go for it, I think you'll love it.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Oct 9, 2015 18:57:20 GMT -5
Most of my cooking is done in Le Creuset. I prefer it for things that are simmered as I seems to retain heat and cook more evenly.
If you don't want to spring for Le Creuset (5 qt will run $200-300), The Lodge is a decent brand. I would go with The Lodge over an off brand. We have a couple of off brands ánd the ceramic has chipped off of those.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Oct 9, 2015 18:59:55 GMT -5
Yay! I think I'll google recipes!
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Oct 9, 2015 19:01:33 GMT -5
The Pioneer Woman has some great cast iron recipes on her website. I tried her beef roast and DH said it was the best one ever. Not bad for being married for 51 years.
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Oct 9, 2015 19:09:55 GMT -5
I have a cast iron dutch oven and I made some tasty Irish stew in it and pot roast! It is all cast iron though, no ceramic lining. I adore my cast iron cookware.
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haapai
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Post by haapai on Oct 9, 2015 19:12:39 GMT -5
It's a lovely piece of cookware but since you asked to be talked out of it, it's a bit of a space hog. Finding a place to keep it can be tricky.
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Oct 9, 2015 19:26:17 GMT -5
I have never owned a dutch oven. My supermarket has a cast iron one (and I assume it's ceramic on the outside) half price- $40. What can I make in this, and how does it differ from my regular big pots? Do you put it in the oven, or use stovetop? Is it a waste because I have a crockpot? Talk me into/out of buying this! Also, I have used it both on the cooktop (you can brown your meat that way) then put it in the oven. You can as someone else said use it on a campfire too(I know the all cast iron ones can anyway). I personally think it's a good purchase. You could check target to get the whole cast iron one though, that's where we got ours(and made in the U.S. If it mattered).
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Oct 9, 2015 19:35:10 GMT -5
When you put this pot in the oven, do you put it on a cookie sheet?
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joemilitary
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Post by joemilitary on Oct 9, 2015 19:51:55 GMT -5
this is a real dutch oven
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Oct 9, 2015 19:56:47 GMT -5
When you put this pot in the oven, do you put it on a cookie sheet? I just put the lid on it, , no cookie sheet or anything else needed.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Oct 9, 2015 20:25:14 GMT -5
One of our go to meals is corned beef and veggies in the dutch over. It's delicious every time.
We have lodge dutch ovens, and only use them for outdoor cooking,
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Oct 9, 2015 21:06:16 GMT -5
When you put this pot in the oven, do you put it on a cookie sheet? I never have.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Oct 9, 2015 23:38:13 GMT -5
I have never owned a dutch oven. My supermarket has a cast iron one (and I assume it's ceramic on the outside) half price- $40. What can I make in this, and how does it differ from my regular big pots? Do you put it in the oven, or use stovetop? Is it a waste because I have a crockpot? Talk me into/out of buying this! Get it, get it, get it! You can make everything in it. I have a small and a large Le Creuset, and I use them constantly. They cook everything perfectly evenly and food doesn't burn. (unless you really fu#k up). It's also perfect for rice, I fell asleep once and had the rice cooking for an hour. Didn't burn. I don't put my little one in the oven because it's so old, it has a wooden knob on the lid. Still in perfect condition, though.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Oct 10, 2015 7:46:51 GMT -5
I just sent my daughter a message saying I want the Lodge, 6qt for Christmas. How YM is that?!! I lived this long without one, I can wait another two months! I'll post pics of my delicious meals.
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haapai
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Post by haapai on Oct 10, 2015 8:15:30 GMT -5
We've failed you.
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Oct 10, 2015 9:05:18 GMT -5
When you put this pot in the oven, do you put it on a cookie sheet? No.
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Oct 10, 2015 9:05:55 GMT -5
I just sent my daughter a message saying I want the Lodge, 6qt for Christmas. How YM is that?!! I lived this long without one, I can wait another two months! I'll post pics of my delicious meals. Lodge is the brand I have and you will love it!
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Oct 10, 2015 9:11:11 GMT -5
Here is some inspiration
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Oct 10, 2015 11:35:38 GMT -5
That looks delicious! As soon as the colder weather starts, I crave all the comfort foods.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Oct 10, 2015 13:52:20 GMT -5
Here is some inspiration Ok, did you hear that low moan coming from Illinois? God now I want pot roast for dinner! That browned fat looks umptous!
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bobosensei
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Post by bobosensei on Oct 10, 2015 14:22:14 GMT -5
I my dutch ovens and cast iron skillets... I cook pretty much everything stove-top in my skillets, but use the dutch oven for all kinds of stuff. Chili, baked beans, stews, pulled pork, chicken dishes... I use it in the oven all the time. I have two enameled ones (one small, one is like a really deep skillet more than the oven), and one non-enameled. I prefer it to the crock pot because the meat cooks better, I can adjust the end amounts of liquid better by covering, not covering, adding liquid, etc. I can't do that with the crock pot. I've even baked bread in mine. The only thing I've done in the dutch oven that I've decided not to do in the future is applesauce. It tasted fine, but turned a really unappetizing grey color. I have already bought my son one of the small enameled ones for when he moves out, so I'm all for talking you into it, lol. Me too! You can do a great bread in the dutch oven. They get a nice crust, but chewy on the inside. I make so many things in mine. Soup, beans, and stews especially, but I'll also do pasta sauces. If I am just making pasta I boil it in a stainless steel, but pretty much anything else goes in the le creuset. Right now I have a 5.5 qt, but I want ones a size bigger and smaller.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Oct 10, 2015 14:33:45 GMT -5
I have a big bunch of pork butt (or something else porky) sitting in the fridge just dying to be turned into a mess of yumminess. But I think I need to get carrots (should be some in parent's garden!) I have onions and potatoes, so think I know what I'm making for dinner If I divide some of it before the kid gets to it, I'll have some of my meals for the week too.
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toomuchreality
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Post by toomuchreality on Oct 10, 2015 16:38:41 GMT -5
When camping, you can make a pit in the coals of your fire, put your pot roast etc in the dutch oven, bury down in the coals for a few hours (while you go hiking, or fishing etc). When you come back, dinner is done, and so delicious! *NOTE: I've never used one with ceramic. Just cast iron.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Oct 10, 2015 18:59:19 GMT -5
They can go on the stove and in the oven. So think of anything you brown then bake. This is generally true... I would recommend READING the packaging because sometimes the knob on top of the lid isn't all that heat resistant. I almost purchased an enameled iron dutch oven that had a knob that was only good in the oven up to 250 F. (what a joke!)
Thankfully, I avoided that one and purchase one that's good in the oven up to 400F (or something like that). I haven't put the dutch oven in the oven yet but should I need to I can.
I use the dutch oven on the stove top - it's wonderful for making jelly/jam - it heats evenly (and retains heat) and it's wide enough so I can quickly cook stuff to the proper consistency. I use it to make chili and soup. I don't have any stainless steel pots in this size so it's not competing with another pot that I have. (I've got an All Clad 8 quart stock pot that is worth every penny I paid for it.)
I bought a "Kenmore" branded one - when Sears was shutting down a store - I paid about $40 for it - it's 5.5 quarts and made in China. I managed to nick the enamel on one of the handles - so it's now got a "flea bite" Doesn't effect how it cooks - so I say I've now got a Customized Dutch Oven. I have some smaller Le Creuset covered casseroles and I've never managed to chip them - but they where MUCH more expensive. I was looking at the Martha Stewart brand of enameled iron Dutch ovens - but the "Kenmore" was $20 less....
Both the Le Creuset and the "Kenmore" interiors have gotten a bit discolored. Again nothing "icky" or damaging... they just been used.
If you think you have a use for the pot - and it's a color you like - I'd say go for it. $40 is a reasonable price (provided the pot handle won't melt in a hot oven... )
ADDED: I'm still using some 70's "spice of life" corningware covered casseroles in the oven (instead of a dutch oven). I make a mean coq au vin and a mighty fine pot roast on the stove top and in the oven in that old glassware. I should probably switch over to the enameled iron pot...
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Oct 10, 2015 19:05:11 GMT -5
The good thing about cast iron Dutch oven is that if the zombies ever come around and there is no electricity, you can cook on a fire directly! And here I thought you would recommend the use of the Dutch oven to take the zombies heads off. Should be an awesome weapon
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