Enamel Dutch Oven

[JMJones]

My wife just picked up an enameled Dutch Oven. Anyone have any recipes tips, ect?

[WildBoar]

We use ours a lot for braises, spaghetti sauce, soups, etc. Give osso buco a try (and make an even better and less expensive version by substituting lamb shanks for veal shanks). it's a great vessel for carmelizing onions for onion soups.

As far as tips go, you generally only need to keep the heat on the low side. Since cast iron tends to heat slowly, people tend to crank up the heat and wind up burning things once the cast iron catches up. Had a relative wreck a Le Creuset a few years back when the beans weren't heating quickly enough so she cranked it up

[Zwiefel]

don't put it in the dishwasher, it dulls the gloss on the enamel...won't hurt it, just won't be as pretty.

I love using mine for rice casserole-type dishes, stews, chili, and deep frying.

[boomchakabowwow]

an enamel cast iron dutch oven's strength is not found on a range top (unless it is your deepfryer) ..it really shines in the oven!!

i do all the searing on the cooktop, and brown everything. then i get it all simmering and will put the big pot in a 300-325 degree oven to finish all the cooking. heat coming at your food from all sides will prevent burn spots on the bottom. i gave away all my slow cookers when i started cooking this way. stews, bucco's, beans..everything goes into the oven. no stirring, no fussing..done. there is no better kitchen excitement than when you crack open a slow cooked meal in your dutch oven. the slow bubbling, the house full of good smells, the darkened food splatter on the lid..yum.

[Lucretia]

Just remember that cast iron is brittle. It will shatter like glass if it hits a terrrazzo floor.

[mr drinky]

I have a le creuset and really like it, but I like it even better now that I have have started using my copper heat diffuser with it. I'd also recommend getting a heat-proof replacement knob for the cover if it isn't already oven-ready.

k.

[boomchakabowwow]

the regular black knob is heat proof.

the stainless one is more heat proof. i switched because i took mine to 500 deg when i was using it to make bread.

500 would wipe out the black knob. braising, no problems.

[Customfan]

Yes... I switched mine too so it could withstand higher temperatures...

I believe one of their new lines has a higher clearance SS knob from the factory...

[Zwiefel]

the regular black knob is heat proof.

the stainless one is more heat proof. i switched because i took mine to 500 deg when i was using it to make bread.

500 would wipe out the black knob. braising, no problems.

Right, I think it's rated 425/450F.

Stainless looks nicer too.

[wenus2]

Jim,

I strongly suggest this book: http://www.amazon.com/All-About-Brai.../dp/0393052303

It gives a lot of good info on the science behind braising, dos and donts, general recipe composition, and several very good/great recipes.