I've always been intrigued by this method of cooking ever since I went on a backpacking trip many moons ago and was one of the unfortunate ones to help lug up a cast iron dutch oven. Oh but the meal that was prepared with it....YUMMY!!! So now I'm sorta seriously considering jumping into the dutch oven fray. We sell them at our store.
Grab a couple! I've got two of them and not only can you cook almost anything in them, they retain heat like nobody's business and will stay white hot if that's what you need.
As someone who loves Louisiana cuisine, I couldn't survive w/o my dutch oven. Great for cooking gumbos and etoufees. In addition, I've made some great Irish stew with it before. A dutch oven is essential if you like to cook those stick-to-your-ribs, cold weather comfort foods.
...but funny. Anyway - what's a Dutch Oven? From the sounds of it, with the mentioning of stews etc - it sounds like what we call a 'slow cooker'. If so, I've got one. Wonderful for doing braised steak in (though you probably call that something else too - pah!) - and asyou say, stew done in it actually tastes like it's worth eating. EDIT - just had a google moment. Dammit chaps, they are slow cookers and in some cases merely large heavy pans. For those who 'hate' British food - this is what practically half of all 'British' dishes are cooked in. So, there's no excuse for the prejudice now For a 'stick to your ribs' winter warmer do try Lancashire Hotpot. http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/r_0000000797.asp
For those of you scoring at home, maczebus just quoted from Delia Smith, the Martha Stewart of the UK. The shredded remains of your 'cred' will be waiting for you in a battered cardboard box when you exit the site, mac
Sorry I didn't realise. Is Martha Stewart a bad phrase round here? I know she's a bit tricky of late, but for cookery I have absolutely no knowledge of her. Don't dismiss Delia too harshly - yes she's trite middle-class and gets up your nose whilst you watch. BUT, her recipes are sh!t easy to follow so I was only trying to make it easy for the less able round here. Hell, I could post my own recipe but as it takes twice as much effort and cost as Delia's does - I decided against it. Would it be ok if I posted links to more defined Chefs? I tell you what - I've done a google search, you can choose who to follow - but certainly do make it if you're a fan of proper comfort foods. Google search for Lancashire Hotpot ...I'll pick up my 'cred' on the way out. I didn't realise I had enough to shred.
...as for which to buy... I find Le Creuset pots are decent. I've got the 'Dutch oven' and a smaller more everyday pan - both have served me very well.
Here in Ohio we have a fancy name for Dutch Ovens. Big pots. And while we're talking about Dutch Ovens, does anyone like to cook their food in a Spanish Kiln? We love ours. I don't think we could possibly live without it. Lemme see if I can find a picture of this special cooing device...
bobby flay had a show on dutch oven cooking this past weekend,,, unreal what they cook in them things, rack of lamb, bread, chocolate cake, cherry torte, whole chickens,,,,,,that stuff looked awesome too