What is a Dutch Oven and what makes it a great investment for your kitchen?

If you love watching aesthetic cooking videos, you must have spotted those beautiful looking heavy-bottomed pans with lids. Those are Dutch ovens and have become a really popular choice among home chefs.

A great option to seer, pan fry to cooking flavourful and tender meals like soups and stews, this is a kitchen workhorse. Honestly, it's an investment piece but we can guarantee you that once you get introduced to a Dutch oven, you'll use all the time and cherish for years to come.

What exactly is a Dutch Oven?

A heavy, wide pot, boasting a tight-fitting lid, one of the most common types of Dutch oven is round and is made of enameled cast iron with handles. You can also spot Dutch ovens made of copper, and clay.

In these pots, while the heavy, broad base helps to distribute heat evenly, poviding a large surface area for cooking, the tight-fitting lid will trap heat and moisture.

What makes a Dutch Oven an essential part of our kitchen?

Dutch ovens, though a little expensive buys, are designed for everyday cooking. They might look luxe but are perfect for your everyday for your favorite soups, stews, braises, and more. Here are ways you can use them:

Stewing and braising

Think of it as the original slow cooker, as it can hold and evenly distribute heat for a long period of time. This would translate to cooking methods such as stewing and braising, where an extended, slow cooking process allows tougher cuts of protein to become tender. Shoulder and leg cuts become very tender using these methods of cooking.

But it will be wong to say that these are only about low and slow, though—it can get super hot, too. That makes it ideal for braising, where you sear food at a high temperature and then finish it covered at a lower temperature.

Frying

Dutch ovens are well-suited for frying too. Their high walls prevent splatters, and their sturdy base keeps them steady on the stove burner.

Baking

The way these pots withstand high heat and has a tightly-fitting lid, you can make rustic, no-knead breads in your Dutch oven. The pot is preheated, and once the dough is added and the lid set in place, steam is created inside the pot as the bread bakes. The steam helps to transform the dough, ensuring the bread's crust is crispy and glossy.

Making one-pot meals

Preparing one-pot recipes is also possible with a Dutch oven, as low-heat sweating and high-heat browning, both are possible in the same vessel.

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