Le Creuset L2501302 Enameled Cast Iron Round French Oven 9 qt. Flame

I LOVE this dutch oven - it gets used at least 3 times a week for one thing or another. It is extremely versatile - you can use it for sauteeing veggies (the high sides help keep down any oil splatter); braising beef, pork, or chicken; it makes a beautiful roaster in the oven, and for soups, stocks, and lentil dishes, you cannot beat it.

The heat retention and dispersion is excellent, and the finish cleans up nicely. It does take a few uses for the finish to become 'seasoned', for lack of a better word - it did stick when I first started using it, but seems to be almost non-stick now. I always thought these were overrated - but someone gave me a Le Creuset roasting pan for a housewarming gift 10 years ago, and I finally bought the dutch oven to match, this past summer. They are expensive, but worth it - I will have this piece for the rest of my life, and pass it down to a niece or nephew one day!

One thing I would recommend, if you are planning to use...Read more