The Le Creuset Dutch Oven just might be the most versatile piece of cookware in the kitchen. It’s the obvious choice for all types of recipes from soups and slow cooking to bread and desserts. In fact, for many it never gets put away and instead always has its rightful place on the stovetop. But now that you’ve mastered the basics of cooking in a Dutch Oven, you might be wondering what else can you do with it? Here are seven of the most creative uses for a Dutch Oven.
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Keep It Warm
Le Creuset enameled cast iron has exceptional heat distribution and retention properties, which makes it great for keeping recipes warm from stove to oven to table. For example, when making multiple batches of pancakes for a crowd (or fritters, crepes and more…) keep the pot in the oven at a low temperature, and simply add the pancakes to the pot as they finish cooking. Then bring the Dutch Oven straight to the table, it will keep the food warm throughout the meal.
Chill It Down
The same superior heat retention principles also work to keep things cold as well. Your Dutch Oven can do double duty as an ice bucket to keep beverages chilled for a party or get-together – we recommend using a larger 8 quart or 9 1/2 quart Oval Dutch Oven so there’s plenty of room for ice and your drinks. Or try using a variety of pot sizes to keep salads, sides and condiments cold on a buffet. Store the Dutch Oven in the fridge and bring it straight to the table for maximum chilling effect and a beautiful presentation.
Steaming Vegetables & Buns
Set a stainless steel steamer basket inside a Dutch Oven to create the ideal environment for steaming bunches of artichokes, greens and whole heads of cauliflower. The heavy, tight-fitting lid traps the moisture and recirculates it to keep nutrients locked inside. A 4 1/2 quart or 5 1/2 quart Dutch Oven is the best size to fit most steamer baskets. Or use a bamboo steamer to steam layers of buns, dumplings and desserts. Water is the usual liquid used for steaming, but try adding stock, wine, beer and even sake to the bottom of the Dutch Oven to create plenty of aromatic steam.
Take Advantage of the Weight
Le Creuset is the lightest weight cast iron cookware per capacity, and most are thankful for this fact when lifting pots filled to the brim. But others relish the weight of cast iron and use it to their benefit. We’ve seen Dutch Ovens used to make recipes like chicken under a brick, where the meat needs to be weighted to ensure even cooking and golden-brown skin. Or you can use a Dutch Oven as a tofu press and even to pound meat into perfectly uniform, thin cutlets.
Indoor Smoker
Turn your Dutch Oven into a smoker by adding a handful of small wood chips and a little water to the bottom of the pot. The lid seals in the smoke and moisture to infuse the meat with plenty of flavor. An Oval Dutch Oven is the ideal size for larger cuts of brisket, pulled pork and smoked chicken – cook the meat slowly at a low oven temperature to make your own great-tasting barbecue indoors. Give this technique a try with our recipe for Dutch Oven Pastrami Brisket.
Use the Lid
Often thought of as an accessory to a Dutch Oven, the lid is a useful piece of cookware on its own. Some creative uses we’ve seen for the lid include using it as a baking surface, such as in this recipe from Justin Chapple for Root Vegetable Pot Pie. It’s also a great place to rest meat when searing batches and as a spoon rest, both uses keep messes and dishes to a minimum. Or use the lid to cover a bowl of rising dough when baking bread.
Beautiful Kitchen Decor
Le Creuset Dutch Ovens are as beautiful as they are functional, which is why most people use them not only for cooking and serving, but also as kitchen décor. In fact, many people never put away their Le Creuset cookware, instead proudly displaying it on the stove or filling it with plants and flowers to create showstopping centerpieces. Pro tip: when creating a floral display in a Dutch Oven, place strips of clear tape in a grid pattern across the top of the pot to easily hold the arrangement in place.
