
A cookbook author weighs in, The best plant-based foods nutritionists order from Amazon Fresh, How surge protectors safeguard electronics, Chefs' tips on the best cast iron cookware, Obama-recommended history book gets graphic novel treatment, The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook: A Treasury of Timeless, Delicious Recipes. Sarah Weinberg is the deputy editor at Delish and has covered food, travel, home, and lifestyle for a number of publications, including Food Network Magazine and Country Living. Cast iron products last a lifetime, said chef Michael Gulotta, co-owner of MOPHO and Maypop in New Orleans, adding theyre naturally non-stick when properly maintained, and hold their heat evenly no matter what surface youre cooking on.". Dutch ovens, for example, can be ideal for braising or braving more liquid-based recipes. 11 Things You Should Know Before Buying Le Creuset Cookware. Plus, it's made with 15-percent lighter cast iron for convenience.
And with many of us cooking at home more often due to the coronavirus, you may want to consider looking into one. Cast iron cookware is extremely versatile. Le Creuset is a staple in the Delish test kitchen, where the French brand's colorful, sturdy pots and pans appear in many of our videos. It was auctioned for a whopping $25,330 in New York in 1999. Plus, it comes with a leather skillet sleeve that is both functional and adds a touch of style to the otherwise minimalist design. The actual air fryer, Expert shopping: Essential kitchen knives, Asian American cookbook authors recommend cookware gifts, Buying a smart oven? For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The blonde bombshell was an avid cook and owned a 12-piece set of Le Creuset cookware in Elysees Yellow, a color that's since been discontinued. Its heat retention and even cooking helped it score well, one of the reasons Gulotta describes Lodge as the industry standard for bare cast iron. Cast iron can come off as intimidating from its price to its weight and maintenance. They were inspired by the bright glow of molten cast-iron. As the experts previously discussed, cast iron cookware gets hot, and to help keep your hands safe, Lodge included a dishwasher-safe silicone handle holder that can tolerate up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It holds heat exceptionally well and the lid locks in the moisture, items heat evenly and the moisture retention protects food from burning., Lancaster argues the cast iron skillet isnt just for searing it can be perfect for more decadent treats like biscuits, cinnamon buns, quiche, cornbread, deep dish pizza with unbelievable crust, apple pie, upside-down cake and even huge chocolate chip cookies. I would recommend going to a store and feeling the pan before you buy, said Gulotta. If you use it with care and keep it properly seasoned, it will repay you with decades of delicious meals.. You've probably cooked (or eaten) a stew or whole chicken made in the trademark oven, but did you know you can also bake bread, braise meat, cook a casserole, and deep fry whatever the heck your heart desires in the classic piece? And that's just the simplified version: The process can take at least 10 hours and actually entails 12 different steps. Whip up cornbread, veggie side dishes, roasted potatoes, red meat dishes and more while sheltering in place this fall and winter. Bridget Lancaster, host of Americans Test Kitchen explained the casting process results in one solid piece of equipment: That means less little pieces that could individually fail or break off. Le Creuset Buffet Casserole with Glass Lid, 3.5 qt. Here's what you need to know, I loved everything I cooked in my air fryer. The ovens may be the most popular, but Le Creuset of course does more than that: Consider their offerings of charming tea kettles, sauce pans, pie dishes, mixing bowls, cutlery, and so much more. 2022 SELECT | All rights reserved. One of my favorite things is the scrubber thats made out of chainmail like armor, Lancaster said. Delish participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. The workhorse of dutch ovens, a Staub round cocotte delivers incredible results. Another Americas Test Kitchen Favorite, this skillet won in the traditional cast iron category. Equipped with a helper handle and its sleek, black enamel interior, it makes for safe cooking and easier cleanup afterward. Other than that, cast iron cookware is ideal for roasting, searing, deep frying, baking, and braising. You can also choose to get it in more than a dozen striking colors. Le Creuset Eiffel Tower Casserole, 2.5 qt. This combination of durability and versatility has Grace Young, author of Stir-Frying to the Skys Edge, calling cast iron a kitchen workhorse. Cast iron cookware generally falls into two categories: Its one of the best kitchen investments, likely to be handed down through multiple generations, said Young. Additionally, it's oven safe and features stainless steel handles. We asked chefs, cookbook authors and other experts which ones to get and how to get the most out of them.
SHARE YOUR COOKING CLASS PHOTOS WITH US!SURLATABLECOOKINGCLASS - SURLATABLE. The unique process through which theyre created leaves them outstandingly durable, versatile and useful to most home cooks. It is versatile and features pour spots for cooking sauces. Cast iron cookware is durable and versatile. Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt. Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven, 6.75 qt. The company turned 95 in 2020, and by that year, they'd created more than 300 million products for customers in over 60 different countries. We may earn commission from the links on this page. The latter have minor imperfections that don't affect how they cook food, but require them to be sold at a lower price. Saved my favorite for last! This ultimate dutch oven is an investment piece that should survive getting passed down across generations. As featured in our guide to Paella Pans, this FINEX skillet is durable and great for making steaks, pork chops, veggies and more. It has a unique ability to hold onto heat longer than other materials and withstand extended abuse in the kitchen. In addition to its thicker gauge, the lids actively lock in moisture with small nubs on the inside, Gulotta said. But we're not the only fans: The iconic cookware is celebrated the world over, and for good reason. Mark Rosati, Shake Shacks culinary director especially loves cooking his burgers on a cast iron griddle since it guarantees a great sear he also uses his cast iron for fish and desserts.
And in 2021, they released a whole Harry Potter line. This traps condensation and drips it back down onto whatever is braising for a superior meal. This 10 skillet won in Americas Test Kitchens favorite enameled cast iron skillet category.
A cast iron wok is even more versatile than a skillet or dutch oven because its bowl-like shape makes it great for stir-frying, braising, deep-fat frying, pan-frying, oven roasting and even smoking foods, said Young. Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. The only thing these pans arent great for is boiling water or steaming, Gulotta jokes. Each pot is inspected by 15 different people before it's deemed suitable for sale, and around 30 percent of the company's goods are rejected because of imperfections. The brand's casting specialist Armand Desaegher and enameling specialist Octave Aubecq settled on a bright orange color for their first enameled oven in 1925, naming the hue "Flame." The casting process also allows products to maintain both high and low temperatures evenly for everything from searing to simmering. Delish editors handpick every product we feature. To get an idea of what they can do (and what they cant), we consulted professional chefs, cooks and cookbook authors on how to best use cast iron cookware, as well as how to shop for the best cast iron for you, be it a dutch oven, skillet, griddle or otherwise. They've produced heart and flower-shaped pots in the past, and cherry blossom-covered cookware in Japan. Now that you know the basic tenets of buying cast iron in its many types and forms and keeping in mind their features and properties here are some great options to get started with. It needs to have a good weight and be made of thick, even metal.. After youve seared something and you want to hold a really slow simmer to get super tender results, youre also going to hold it better with cast iron, Collier explained. When youre considering which cast iron to get, the cooks we talked to advised to pay particular attention to its weight, handle structure, temperature limits, lid type and seasoning requirements. Any piece that comes with a tight sealing cover is a plus but Staubs lids offer a unique feature. This vividly colored cookware has been brightening kitchens since 1925. Aside from grips, a solid scrubber can make cleaning up a cast iron much easier, especially if it's been left out overnight or has accumulated burnt and greasy food residue. LaurenLevyis a contributor with work published on The Knot, PopSugar, CafeMom, Mom.com, Bridal Guide and Care.com.