For ages I have ummed and ahhed about buying a Le Creuset Cast Iron pot. They aren't the cheapest thing in the world but it's one of those things that I imagine would last for years and you would use over and over. So I'm curious...Who of you owns one of these?
And what is your favourite meal to make in it?
Or for those who like me have one on your wish list...
What colour would you buy?
{ via le creuset }
I've been considering one of these for ages too, so I'm looking forward to seeing people's comments. I'm torn between the white one, cassis and the caribbean.
ReplyDeleteI have the black onyx, only one saute pan and one of those small dutch ovens (used as pot)...I use them constantly and love them and think they'll last years to come. BUT they do require more care than a regular pot would.
ReplyDeleteI got the red one last year, and I love it. It's my bebe. But, like you, for the longest time I would just walk past them and think, "Should I get it or should I wait? Should I look at the Staub dutch ovens?" But I'm really happy with my Le Crueset. I would also advise getting the steel knob in case you have to put it in the oven over 350 degrees.
ReplyDeleteOh really, like not using anything too harsh like a scourer to scrub them or something? Good tip Josephine, will keep that in mind.
ReplyDeleteLoving the black one!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm still fighting with my cast iron pan tbh. Something baked into the surface, so I think I need to totally scrub it and re-season it. So much effort... And the boy doesn't quite understand the level of care and the procedure of cleaning it, so I usually have to do it myself..
i have owned a smallish line (in cobalt) for about 6 years now. Honestly, I cannot say enough lovely things about Le Creuset, its worth every damn penny and they WILL last you a lifetime. I have used the pot you are eyeing to make caramel, melt chocolate, stew, soups, pasta... its gone from the stovetop to the oven a hundred times, its been dropped, its been taken camping (yes, i know.. camping). I mean, mine has some signs of use, but hell- what pot doesn't? its an investment and it might take some getting use to (i don't put mine in the dishwasher, obviously not the best pan to make a fried egg in, etc etc) but i think you'll be happy that you bought it :)
ReplyDeleteI think you'd be happy too. One Christmas day I received a rather large and incredibly heavy box from my entire family. They made me try and guess what it might be...bricks was my best guess! To my absolute (speechless) delight it was one very large red pot. I never put it away, it sits on the stove 24/7 and I use it for everything imaginable from soups to stews to roast chicken and like ellie says, in and out of the oven a hundred times. I feel like the cook I want to be when I use it, even when the meal doesn't quite live up to my imagination. I just clean it with bi-carb soda, boiling water, some white vinegar and a soft brush - too easy. You'll have it forever.
ReplyDeleteOh really, I haven't had any issues with my skillets so far. Was it second hand Kat or did you buy it new?
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellie & Shipbuilding, sounds like a good investment. Doesn't seem to hard to clean as well. And agree Ellie, a pot with a few signs of use is a good thing.
hi, i have lots of these and use them to cook everything!(i'm vegan)
ReplyDeleteI have cobalt and white. always clean by hand with a little baking soda. i do sort of covet the cassis . . .
i love mine. i have 3 pieces. I got them all second hand and didn't pay more than 12 dollars for the whole set. They are the flame color which is the color I had been wanting. I got them before they reissued the color too.
ReplyDeleteI use them all the time. I think I would love them even if I had bought them new. Since your new kitchen is stocked it would be fun to have a few key pieces that are all your own.
P.S. I just made some awesome baked beans in mine. They were a hit.
ReplyDeleteI love Creuset but another option is Emile Henry cookware (and now that you live in Quebec you'll find it everywhere!). Their line is fantastic, also a little pricey but lasts a lifetime. I have never made such perfect pies in my life (I have a beautiful red pie plate), the crust is perfect every time!
ReplyDeleteI have a dutch oven in cobalt that lives on my stove. I love to make chicken pot roast recipe with fresh tarragon and heirloom potatoes. Or farro and mushroom risotto. It can be used for anything! Easily my favorite piece of kitchen equipment. I also covet the Cassis.
ReplyDelete3 pieces for $12! What a find. And baked beans, yum. I haven't heard of Emile Henry but will look them up. Pies and chicken pot roast sound delicious. So does risotto. Looking forward to getting back in the kitchen again!
ReplyDeleteI use mine for EVERYTHING. Beans, meats, bread, soup. I have them in different sizes. The two things to consider are that if you are going to use them in the oven, you will with to change the lid handle to a metal one and the white interior will eventually go brown. I have cherry, Caribbean, black onyx, and cobalt. I have six pieces of Le Crueset and 2 piece of Staub. Staub has the black interior so it does not discolor, also a nicer teapot and about a 2 quart size which is very nice. Le Crueset only carries that size for a special promotion.
ReplyDeleteI got mine second hand. 20 bucks!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to give the bicarb and white vinegar a go, that sounds like a good strategy.
love them, but i've also held off from taking the plunge. i love caribbean and cassis! so so pretty! i'm sure they are worth the money, but it's just a matter of saving up for them!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted one of these forever, and last year took the plunge and bought a beautiful cobalt blue one. Why on earth did I wait so long? It is now the most used piece of equipment in my kitchen and I cannot praise it too highly. Everything just tastes better in it, and it is so easy to set and forget.
ReplyDeleteI have the Flame coloured one. Got it as a wedding present, but haven't used it all that much yet. It does seem like the kind of thing I'll end up having for years, it's so sturdy.
ReplyDeleteI have a red one, but it's a Chasseur and I adore it. It's got to be almost exactly the same, but a little cheaper. Not to bad to clean either!
ReplyDeleteI have a variety, all sizes and in blue, flame, a lime green and yellow. I just love them all. I make steel cut oats every morning in one pot that stays out on my stovetop, and use the rest almost constantly between beans, soups, stews, risottos, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou will not regret the purchase. FYI there are Le Creuset outlets around, at some outlet malls... not cheap cheap, but definitely a reduced price... I have never seen them secondhand--who would want to give them up?
I took a long time before I took the plunge but I love it like no other pot. It sits on my stove top and inspires me to make all manners of delicious food. I have the white and it's fabulously modern and old-fashioned all at once. You will not regret it, not one dollar of it.
ReplyDeleteI've also always wanted one of these. Cassis or Caribbean would be my choices. Maybe one day when I don't have a tiny apartment sized oven & stove.
ReplyDeleteI invested in two of the flame skillets based solely upon the need to serve up the recipe you posted for Saucy Chorizo Beans & Oven Baked Eggs.
ReplyDeleteWorth their weight in Gold! (Although as they are cast iron it might be a close run thing :)
my man bought his large cobolt le crueset into our relationship and should anything ever happen to us, I'm thinking I'll take it (even though its not technically mine) as we use it all the time - roast chickens, risotto, baked beans, spag bol, slow cooked lamb shanks and curries. He's had it for, gosh, I think nearly 15 years and it's just as good as new!
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