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    5 Reasons You Need A Dutch Oven in your Kitchen

    September 3, 2019 by admin 16 Comments

    5 Reasons You Need A Dutch Oven

    Call it a Dutch oven, a cocotte, a casserole dish, or a cast iron pan -- just don't underestimate it. Once you have one in your kitchen you'll wonder how you've ever cooked without it! Since the entire team at Cooking With Spirits likes to be creative we thought we'd share 5 Reasons You Need A Dutch Oven in your Kitchen.

    If you think a dutch oven is just to cook soup, you're not using it to its full potential.

    1. Bake Bread

    Jim Lahey’s no-knead bread recipe has amassed a serious following. You just stir and then bake -- no kneading, no shaping, and very little room for error. The steam from the Dutch oven creates a crackly, golden crust -- the kind home bakers lust after -- and a perfectly round shape.

    2. Braise Meat

    Low and slow: That’s the key to braising. Cast iron keeps heat consistent during cooking, so you can leave the pot alone for hours without fussing with the stove. As an added bonus, it retains heat long after you take your braise from the stove -- take it directly to the table and it’ll stay warm for dinner.

    3. Your Dutch Oven Can Act as a DIY Cooler

    Fresh, crisp salads should remain that way, and your Dutch oven can help. Fill an enameled Dutch oven with ice water and let it stand until the pot is thoroughly chilled (about 5 minutes). Dump the water out, dry the pot, and transfer the chilled food into the pot for serving. Because of cast iron’s ability to retain heat (or lack thereof) and keep a stable temperature, your Dutch oven will remain cold for much longer than would a glass or plastic serving bowl.

    4. Fry Something

    Frying can be a daunting task -- and a messy one. The tall sides of a Dutch oven help to cut down on oil splatter, and the cast iron handles very high heat without burning.

    5. Your Dutch Oven Can Double as a Smoker

    Just because the weather isn’t cooperating doesn’t mean that you can’t smoke food. Indoor smoking delivers some of the same complexity and aromas that you’d produce on a grill.

    If you're interested in our other favorite kitchen tools check out our Kitchen Tools and Supplies Page.

     

    Call it a Dutch oven, a cocotte, a casserole dish, or a cast iron pan -- just don't underestimate it. Once you have one in your kitchen you'll wonder how you've ever cooked without it!

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    Filed Under: Cooking Techniques & Tips, Kitchen Tools

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brittany

      September 03, 2019 at 3:40 pm

      I did not know that a dutch oven could be used as a cooler. Thanks for this great tip!

      Reply
    2. Kim

      September 03, 2019 at 4:00 pm

      I need a Dutch oven. Just thinking of the possibilities makes me wanna go get one now.

      Reply
    3. Sophia Inza

      September 03, 2019 at 6:12 pm

      I loooove my Dutch oven! But I had no idea that it could also function as a cooler. Thanks for the tip!

      Reply
    4. Stephanie

      September 04, 2019 at 9:13 pm

      I know I need a dutch oven. I get away with using my stockpot most of the time, but I really need to get a real dutch oven. My husband and I have been saying we probably need new pots and pans in the next year or so, I'll have to sneak one of these in when we buy a new set!

      Reply
    5. Norma

      September 04, 2019 at 11:46 pm

      Awesome reasons to get a Dutch Oven. Great that it can also be used as a smoker or to fry something.

      Reply
    6. GiGi Eats

      September 05, 2019 at 12:13 am

      I am ALMOST convinced.... Now if only this HEAT in LA would GO AWAY - then maybe I really would invest in one! haha!

      Reply
    7. Patricia Chamberlain

      September 05, 2019 at 11:04 am

      I do not own a dutch oven, but after reading this, I need one! I had no idea you could use one to bake bread.

      Reply
    8. Joline

      September 05, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      We love our dutch oven but I didn't realize there were so many more things we can do with it! Awesome list.

      Reply
    9. Neely Moldovan

      September 05, 2019 at 7:51 pm

      Would you believe we have one and have never used it! I need to learn how!

      Reply
    10. Chad

      September 06, 2019 at 1:33 am

      yes exactly!!! I love my Dutch oven and use it all the time. I am actually considering buying a bigger one.

      Reply
    11. Christa

      September 06, 2019 at 3:45 am

      A proper Dutch oven has been on my wishlist for ages. I really need to get one!

      Reply
    12. Melanie williams

      September 06, 2019 at 6:48 am

      Wow not heard of a dutch oven before...where have I been. We would love one of these for sure xx

      Reply
    13. Nichelle

      September 06, 2019 at 8:07 pm

      I agree. I remember growing up granny would cook the best dinner in a dutch oven. I bought one when I moved on but it rusted. I never thought of it as a smoker. That's a great idea.

      Reply
    14. Elizabeth O

      September 09, 2019 at 6:12 pm

      I read so much about the beauty of Dutch ovens that it makes me want to whip mine out and create magic. Your dish looks very enticing...

      Reply
    15. Farrah

      September 19, 2019 at 5:17 am

      I've been wanting to try baking bread in my Dutch oven! *-* I never thought to use it as a smoker!

      Reply
    16. Michelle Robertson

      September 24, 2019 at 1:31 pm

      I love my dutch oven!! It has changed my life when meal prepping because I can make so much at one time! I'm gonna try some of these other uses too!

      Reply

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