About two years ago, I was walking along West 4th in Vancouver (Kitsilano) and I went into Ming Wo. Ming Wo is a kitchen supply store that sells all the kitchen gear you need. It tends to be a bit expensive, but I have bought baking pans, knives, and other cooking utensils there. When I went in (two years ago) I saw a big enamel covered dutch oven in the window. It looked like a Le Creuset, but was made in Hong Kong. It was $39.95 versus the $300+ price tag for the french Le Creuset. I grabbed it and took it home. Part of me thought It would big a big piece of shit after a couple of uses, but alas, it has served me well. I use it to make various soups, stews, chili, curries, and risottos. It is the main vessel I use when I’m braising a big roast or when I’m making a pork roast (en route to pulled pork sandwiches). I’ve even made baked beans in it. I really love this pot and hope to keep it for a long time. Recently I bought a smaller version of it at Ikea. For the same price, I got a 3L vessel. The original is about 6L.
I was chatting with my dad about my favorite pot and he said that he had some Le Creuset pieces from back in the 80′s in a summer house we have in Clearwater. He brought them down for me and they were in rough shape. The enamel was chipped, the lid rims were rusted. I thought about using them outside for the BBQ and smoker, but they were in too rough a shape even for that. With a tear in my eye and a heavy heart, they went in the dumpster.
To my surprise, I received a Le Creuset casserole dish today. It was for my birthday (back in March) but I hadn’t seen my dad. Long story short, this will be what my cast iron pot has been. A mainstay in my tool box of culinary exploration. It can’t do stove top (earth-ware bottom), but can easily handle temperatures up to 500 celsius and I expect it to be excellent for shepherds pies, lasagnas, and many of the other baked goods I make from late Fall until early spring each year. I thought it best I introduce you now should you wonder where this lovely vessel appeared magically from. I love Le Creuset, but don’t be misguided by her beauty. Her Chinese cousins can do just as good of a job as her. I don’t know if I would have bought one myself, but getting it as a gift is gold. The best birthday presents are something you want, but don’t need.
p.s. Paul is going to shit himself when he sees this. I make a mean $100 lasagna. I think I might use this recipe to lightly break in this yellow beauty.