The Le Creuset Casserole That Does It All (Almost)

I misread the note in my diary this morning when I sat down to write this week’s email and thought I was going to be talking to you about salt and pepper mills. And I was getting quite excited about this, having gone down to the shop and selected a range of different mills, brought them all back to my shed, only to find that I’d been looking at the wrong date, and I’m doing them in three weeks’ time.
 

And, if you read last weeks email, then your maths will tell you that today I’m 70 years and 17 days old, and this might be leading you to believe I'm just losing the plot .... I leave it for you to decide.

Further, I saw that on our plan the subject of this weeks' email was to be Le Creuset's new 'Taste' promotion …..      What? Le Creuset again? ………….. Yawn. Yes, I know how you feel. The problem though, is that the promotion covers some excellent products, and we sell quite literally lorry loads of them.    So, if for example, I take their rather lovely little 22cm Shallow casserole, by the time you’ve read what they have to say about it, you are possibly losing the will to live or bordering on some form of self-harm such is their meaningless verbosity.

"The Taste Le Creuset Collection has been developed and designed to give you the chance to experience Le Creuset quality and craft, all at special prices.

Le Creuset are renowned for their multifunctional and versatile cookware which will allow you to create classic dishes, family favourites and one pot wonders. Perfect for a wide range of dishes from quick creamy risottos to tender, flavourful meat and vegetables or crisp, golden pies and tarts. The large flat shape and shallow sides of the Cast Iron Shallow Casserole make it perfect for browning meat and vegetables, simmering casseroles, stir frying, baking and serving at the table.

Each casserole comes with a signature stainless steel knob ergonomically designed for a much better grip and easy lifting - even when wearing bulky oven gloves. Stylish and long lasting, they add additional shine to Le Creuset Cast Iron Casseroles and are safe at any oven temperature."

Whereas I’d say 

“This lovely looking little casserole (subjective I know, but food always looks very good in a wide shallow casseroles) is good for browning meat and vegetables, casseroling and even baking bread. Stir frying I’m a little doubtful on, as it maybe too wide, shallow and flat-based for that. You might possibly bake a cake in it, if you can accept the odd shape. But, it certainly would be good for Tarte Tatin…brilliant in fact, or is that just my love of that French pastry classic!
 

Don’t be in a hurry when using castiron. It's slow to heat up, so put it on  a moderate heat for 5 or 10 minutes before use, if you’re browning meat.

And, as it ages, accept that it will probably become stained in the bottom, going a caramelly colour. This is purely cosmetic. Trying to remove it, could well damage the surface, and certainly you should not let bleach anywhere near it, this can attack the enamel. My other note of caution, is never expose it to extremes of heat (thermal Shock occurs when cold water is added to a hot iron pan) and this is one of the few things that can cause the enamel to pop off , usually in roughly circular shape chips, occasionally quite large. So, if you burn it let it cool naturally before washing up.

Suitable for all hobs, including induction, they keep food warmer for longer than the competition (because cast iron, being slow to heat is also slow to lose heat) but do remember that, like all cast iron cookware, it is rather heavy. It has a lifetime guarantee against faulty manufacture.

This shape of casserole happens to be one of my favourite pieces in the Le Creuset range. And, it can also double as a spare frying pan. A highly versatile piece."

I think that my description has a feel of reality about it, a sort of warts and all approach, I do love the product, but also know its downsides which is I hope, believable, and doesn’t sound like something out of a marketing department!

The 22cm is currently available in four colours, Volcanic Cerise, Meringue and Satin Black.

There are 4 other pieces in this promotion imaginatively called “Taste”. I’ll leave you to read between the lines of the Le Creuset marketing speak.

I’ll just add, that if you're looking at a nonstick item, don’t overdo the heat, you will ruin it if you ignore this advice. If you're thinking of buying a Stoneware item of cookware, apply the same caution to fast changes in temperatures that I highlighted with castiron. And, accept that their marketing supremo believes in padding, and in so doing is wasting huge chunks of her life, and if you read it, your's as well. I thought the real low point was “Stylish and long lasting, they add additional shine to Le Creuset Cast Iron Casseroles……" oh dear, time to throw myself off a cliff or under a handy bus.

That’s it for this week. If you are fond of my more philosophical ramblings, you will have been disappointed this week, for which I apologise. I’ll try to make up for it next time.

I trust that you have a pleasant and peaceful weekend.

Warm regards,

Andrew