Been gifted a Le Creuset casserole dish

[Cotty]

A freind of the family had one that was a bit big for them, volume and weight so thought I might like it.

Its 26cm across in the original colour.

thats big, not sure what to use it for but a serious bit of kit.

[bazking69]

Cotty said:

not sure what to use it for

A snack? Maybe a light lunch?

[Planet Claire]

My mum used to have arm muscles like Popeye when we used to have our Le Creuset pans. She was able to take the big pan full of boiled spuds and drain the water out using just one arm (the other one holding the pan lid in place)! I used to struggle to hold it with two.

You could do some nice casseroles in that pan!

[SimNugget]

A great big minestrone soup!

[Wadeski]

Tagines.

[Piglet]

If you don't want it I'll take it off your hands....

I love my cast iron casseroles but I none are Le Creuset and they are starting to show signs of wear....

My Dad has Le Creuset saucepans but I don't like using them, I find them difficult to lift as there is only one handle on one side whereas the casseroles are used two handed.

I use ours for all sorts of things and barely use anything else other than a pan for spuds/pasta/rice.

I make soup - cook onions, veggies etc on the hob then use the stick blender in it to blend.

Casseroles, started off on the hob then put in the oven, same with pasta bakes, potato bakes etc., it's perfect for starting things off on the hob then wacking the pan in the oven.

I'm off on a Le Creuset hunt at our local car boot sale this summer...

[ali_kat]

T-K-Maxx are always good for Le Cru

I love mine, I can't use the saucepans as too heavy, but the casseroles are perfect for spag bol, curry, chilli, soups etc. I always do them from scratch in them too. I have a really big oval one that I intend to do a leg of lamb in one day...

[Jer_1974]

Nice, I use mine loads. I see Le Creuset in TK Max but it's never cast iron stuff.

[Mobile Chicane]

Good present. The smaller 24" version retails for over £100.

Use it for anything you'd otherwise use a frying pan to cook - the deep sides and lid stop fat splashing on the hob.

It's real use is for 'one pot' meals - however you've the slow cooker for that.

[uncinqsix]

We have a Staub one (nicer than LC IMO). Use it for pretty much everything that gets slow cooked or braised.

[rlw]

Cook twice the amount of anything and freeze half for another day.

[FamilyGuy]

Cotty said:

not sure what to use it for

Hand-to-hand combat. Maybe knocking in fence-posts We've loads of the stuff and it rarely comes out of the cupboard. It's very heavy, isn't dishwasher safe, chips easily, some of it isn't oven safe and doesn't seem to do anything that cheaper, lighter less fragile kit does.

[mike325112]

Wadeski said:

Tagines.

You need one of these for that:

http://www.lecreuset.co.uk/Product-Range-uk/Cast-I...

Its all in the lid....

[zcacogp]

Piglet said:

I use ours for all sorts of things and barely use anything else other than a pan for spuds/pasta/rice.

I make soup - cook onions, veggies etc on the hob then use the stick blender in it to blend.

Casseroles, started off on the hob then put in the oven, same with pasta bakes, potato bakes etc., it's perfect for starting things off on the hob then wacking the pan in the oven.

This ^^^.

We have Le Creuset saucepans (wedding present), and they are excellent. Heavy - yes, but excellent.

We also inherited a casserole dish identical to the one you describe (same size and colour) from my late grandparents, about 8 years ago. It's still going strong, despite being at least 60 yerars old. It's odd to think that my father ate many of his childhood meals out of it, and that I hope to pass it on to my nephews and nieces one day ...


Oli.

[jet_noise]

Dear Cotty,

It's what cassoulet was invented for.

I've got one and use it as other posters for start-on-the-hob-finish-in-the-oven dishes.

I've just browsed le Creuset's website and they do casseroles in 2cm increments from 16-30cm and a top of the range 34cm. That's thorough,

regards,
Jet

[Piglet]

jet_noise said:

I've got one and use it as other posters for start-on-the-hob-finish-in-the-oven dishes.

...and (I forgot to say in the beginning...)take it out of the over and taking it to the table - one pot wonder!

[Cotty]

Mobile Chicane said:

Good present. The smaller 24" version retails for over £100.

I think you mean cm not inches

But yes well over £100 for the 26cm

[Cotty]

Piglet said:

My Dad has Le Creuset saucepans but I don't like using them, I find them difficult to lift as there is only one handle on one side whereas the casseroles are used two handed.

Do they not have a lip opposite the handle to help lift them?

[Chocmonster]

Back in the late 1970's my family went on a caravanning holiday to France. The one thing my Mum wanted to bring back was a set of Le Creuset saucepans & casserole dishes. Being the 70's she of course went for the dark brown coloured ones. Since they are now too heavy for her to use I've inherited them. The one thing I do regularly use is the frying pan, does a lovely steak!

Edited by Chocmonster on Monday 22 March 14:28

[silverMX]

One word. Chilli!

I've got a similar pot to that and made the chilli from Jamie Olivers American Roatdtrip book. It was a pleasure to cook...over the 5 hours it took to do so!