Dutch Oven

[bloggingsara]

What are the benefits to using a dutch oven? With what kinds of ingredients would you use a dutch oven? I have a crock pot and am wondering if I need a dutch oven too. Thanks!

Comments

[indianguy]

No? I thought the dutch oven was for when you are under the blankets and you make the fart?

[charlottesmtms]

D'oh!

[quiggibub]

That's the first thing I thought of!

[charlottesmtms]

Dutch and French ovens provide all the good points each of rangetop and crock cooking. The lid should seal tight, therefore promoting moisture retention in the cooking/roasting process, while (at least in the cast-iron varieties) also allowing for some browning.

That said, I would suggest a enameled cast-iron model, as your budget allows for it. Le Creuset makes some very good (read: PRICEY!) ones, but I've also seen other similar models in asst'd catalogues for about 1/4 of the price, with comparable warranties.

[bloggingsara]

i'm interested in deep frying as well so i was thinking of getting cast iron. thanks!

[charlottesmtms]

Yep, either regular (plain) cast or enameled, both would work for that, too. They're really a versatile - if heavy! - piece of cookery to have! :-D

[bloggingsara]

you can use enameled with deep frying? i read on wikipedia that you could only deep fry with cast iron. i prefer enameled as it's so much easier to maintain.

[quiggibub]

I like it for small batches of stew and soups. You can brown the meat, then add the veggies and scrape all the yummy brown bits up before adding the broth. One pot means you lose less flavor. You can also shallow fry things with less splatter than a more shallow pan.

[bloggingsara]

cool thanks!

[kazzy_g]

My boyfriend has baked bread in a Dutch oven before, and it turned out quite good.

[bloggingsara]

cool!