Monday, February 10, 2014

Kitchen Essentials Pt. 1...The Dutch Oven



One of the most common questions I am asked is "What should I get for my kitchen in terms of cookware and tools?"  So I decided that, once a week, I would feature essentials I have in my kitchen that I highly recommend.  This week's essential, THE DUTCH OVEN. 


Many moons ago, all of our grandmothers had these in their kitchens.  The era of Teflon had not fallen on humanity and the majority of what was made was bubbled and brewed in cast iron!  However, things changed.  Non-stick cookware came on the scene and many of us put our cast iron in the garage, never to be heard of again!  Now-a-days it seems like cast iron is making a comeback and with it, the enamel coated cast iron Dutch oven. 

Why is this a kitchen essential you ask?  The answer is simple.  YOU CAN MAKE EVERYTHING IN IT!!  You can roast, braise, simmer, boil, sear, sauté, bake, etc..  You name, this work horse of the kitchen does it.  They are durable, great conductors of heat, and if taken care of, will last a lifetime!

I know what many of you are thinking.  "I have looked at these and they are CRAZY expensive!"  Yes, a Dutch Oven can run you as much as $500, but you can usually find a good one for around $40 these days.  Aldi carries them around Christmas for $29.99.  That is where I got the one pictured above.  In fact, I bought TWO after Christmas last year at Aldi because they had them on clearance for $7.99 a piece!  It can be an investment, but it is an investment that gives a return in great food!  So save those pennies and shop around because a Dutch Oven is definitely a kitchen essential!

Happy Reading, Happy Eating, and Happy Living,

~The Kitchen Wife~

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