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The Dutch oven is an unusual kind of kitchen utensil. This is not only a unique way to cook a meal, but also the maintenance of ancient traditions. With the help of a Dutch oven, you can cook a huge number of dishes.
However, you should be able to do it correctly. Study the main features of this cooking vessel, compare it with other kitchen utensils and choose the recipes that will seem interesting to you.
What is a dutch oven?
Historically, the Dutch oven is a brick oven for heating rooms. It is a rectangular device lined with tiles or mosaics. However, in the modern world, chefs have also begun to call a “Dutch oven” a special cauldron for cooking food.
This device is well suited for long, slow cooking, for example, for fried or boiled pork. However, with the help of a Dutch oven, you can cook a huge number of dishes, even bake bread.
This is a unique device, which at the same time is simple enough to have a lot in common with a frying pan with a lid or a thick-walled pan.
Why do you need a dutch oven?
Everyone has their own needs in the preparation of dishes and necessary kitchen utensils. A dutch oven is not an essential thing. However, it can replace your oven, toaster, and even a microwave.
The dutch oven is quite versatile and will be a great helper in any kitchen. You don’t have to have certain skills to cook or reheat food in this way.
Instead of dirtying the pot, saucepan and baking dish, the dutch oven can satisfy all your needs at once. It also has a tightly closed lid, which does not allow condensation to evaporate into the air. This helps the dishes to enhance the taste and aroma.
Another significant plus is the low and affordable price tag for dutch ovens.
How to cook with a dutch oven
Despite its ease of use, the dutch oven has a number of features. If you want to cook meat, heat a frying pan with oil and cook in portions so that the meat is well browned on the outside.
Professional chefs note that the meat in the Dutch oven turns out to be especially tasty because of the sealed lid, which retains moisture well. If you decide to make bread, then leave the lid slightly ajar.
Also, do not allow the stove to heat up to the maximum. The process of cooking in a dutch oven involves frying, and then gradually stewing.
What do you cook in a dutch oven
Another indisputable advantage of the Dutch oven is a wide range of cooking options for various dishes. You can choose any method of cooking – frying, stewing, roasting and even boiling.
This oven is ideal for long-term cooking of meat until it becomes soft. The durable material of the Dutch oven allows you to first fry the meat in a pot, and then stew it in its own juice.
The size of the dishes also matters, you can even put a whole chicken or turkey in a large Dutch oven. Also, chefs advise using this kitchen device for stewing tough vegetables like carrots and cabbage.
What is the best thing to cook in a dutch oven
Professional chefs advise cooking dishes in a Dutch oven that require a long stew under the lid. It can be meat or vegetables with a rigid structure. It is best to cook soups and stews in a Dutch oven.
However, the best option is to bake bread, casserole or pizza! You can experiment and cook anything you want with a Dutch oven. This is a universal kitchen utensil that will be a great helper for you.
Tips for choosing a dutch oven
When choosing a Dutch oven, pay attention to several points: size, shape, and material. When choosing a size, think about how many servings you want to put in your pot.
The type of dishes you plan to cook is also important. If it’s bread, then a medium-sized one is enough. However, if you want to bake a whole turkey, it is best to choose the largest size of a Dutch oven.
On average, according to statistics, kitchen utensils with a volume of 6 to 8 liters should be universal for everyone. Dutch ovens can have a round or oval shape, but there are also square options.
Here, pay attention only to the type of dishes that you plan to cook. Also, the material of the Dutch oven itself plays an important role.
Most manufacturers make these kitchen utensils from cast iron. This material is considered universal, as it retains heat well and heats up quickly. However, for easier maintenance and use, professional chefs advise you to buy a dutch oven made of enameled cast iron.
Dutch oven VS stockpot
Many people think that a Dutch oven is very similar to a regular stockpot with a lid. However, professional chefs claim that these two kitchen utensils have little in common.
The pot is much higher and suitable for boiling water. Thus, you can easily use the pot for cooking soups, but not for frying and stewing. The thin walls of the pan simply will not allow you to cook meat or vegetables.
The Dutch stove is much heavier, has lower sides and a denser heat-resistant material. You can easily cook soups and meat with the help of such kitchen utensils.
There is one disadvantage – it will be difficult to drain extra liquid from such a heavy cauldron.
Dutch oven VS casserole
Many newcomers to the culinary business also often confuse the Dutch oven and casserole. The main difference between them is functionality.
If you can use casseroles only in the oven, then the Dutch oven is designed for both the oven and the stove. Casserole dish has a smaller size and most often a round shape.
You can’t cover such dishes with a lid. The material can also be very different – glass, cast iron, and even ceramics. A significant disadvantage of casseroles is their fragility. Otherwise, the Dutch oven will serve you for many years.
Dutch oven VS slow cooker
The Dutch oven is a universal tool for stewing. However, there is another device that will cope perfectly with this task – a slow cooker. Despite the similarity of functions, these are two completely different devices.
The Dutch oven is more mobile and does not need a constant source of electricity. However, the slow cooker provides you with a large selection of functions to choose from.
Professional chefs claim that the slow cooker makes dishes not so saturated in taste and destroys part of their nutritional properties. The choice is yours – a traditional classic or an electric innovation!
Cast iron dutch oven recipes
For a Dutch oven, recipes for slow stewing or cooking are perfect. Pay attention to the following options:
- Dutch oven pot roast with carrots and potatoes. For this recipe you will need carrots, potatoes, olive oil, and beef. Also, if desired, you can add balsamic vinegar, butternut squash, and smoked paprika. Put all the ingredients in a thin layer on top of each other and cook over medium heat.
- Braised Dutch oven pulled pork. This recipe will allow you to get flavorful meat. The versatile pot will give the meat a crispy crust, despite the fact that the Dutch oven retains heat and moisture well. To enhance the taste, add chopped cilantro to the dish.
- Beef short ribs braised in red wine. You can make a flavorful sauce from red wine. It also goes well with Italian sausage, which you can cook with mashed potatoes in slow cookers. To enhance the taste of the ribs, add to them a secret ingredient of spices and herbs.
Le creuset dutch oven recipes
Le creuset is the most popular Dutch oven manufacturer. Its workers offer you to cook a lot of their branded recipes, the main one of which is roasted cauliflower soup. To cook such a dish, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- cauliflower – 200 grams
- potatoes – 450 grams
- carrots – 150 grams
- onion – 150 grams
- vegetable oil – 2 tablespoons
- parsley – 10 sprigs
- bay leaf – 1 piece
- salt and pepper – to taste
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Peel and chop the carrots, potatoes and onions.
- Disassemble the cauliflower into inflorescences.
- In a frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and fry the onion over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring.
- Pour 1 liter of hot water into the Dutch oven and spread the potatoes. Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes over low heat for 5-7 minutes.
- Add carrots to the fried onion and fry for another 5 minutes.
- Add the fried vegetables to the potatoes. Bring to a boil again, reduce the heat and cook until all the vegetables are ready, about 5 minutes.
- Add cauliflower and parsley to the Dutch oven, cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. For additional taste you can add the whole chicken to the broth.
Bread in dutch oven recipe
Dutch oven cooking is not limited only to meat and vegetable dishes. Baking bread is a complicated process, but this kitchen utensil can easily cope with such a task too.
To make home cook bread in a Dutch oven, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- flour – 400 g
- salt – 1 tsp
- dry yeast – 2 tsp
- water – 200 ml
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Knead the dough by mixing all the ingredients together.
- Cover with a towel and put in a warm place for 12-18 hours.
- Preheat the Dutch oven and bake the bread for 30 minutes with the lid closed or 15 minutes without the lid.
Easy pumpkin soup in dutch oven recipe
You can also experiment with a test kitchen and cook pumpkin soup in a Dutch oven. To repeat the recipe, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- water – 3 liters
- pumpkin – 1 kg
- carrots – 2 pieces
- potatoes – 300 grams
- celery stalk – 1 piece
- salt and pepper – to taste
Technology of preparation:
- Cut potatoes, onions, carrots, celery and add to the broth. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Add coarsely chopped pumpkin, salt, pepper. Cook until the pumpkin is ready. Add finely chopped celery.
Is food cooked in a dutch oven healthier?
Can you consider food from a Dutch oven healthy? Considering the taste qualities, everything is very clear – the tightness of the lid creates an excellent environment for enhancing tastes and smells.
However, many doubt about the preservation of nutritious vitamins and minerals. Experts say that the tight fit of the lid to the cauldron delays the evaporation of a significant part of the nutrients.
Also, the coating of the Dutch oven plays an important role. Ordinary cast iron is much more harmful than enameled cast iron.
Budget VS expensive dutch oven
Many customers often face a choice – to buy an expensive Dutch oven or save money. Will there be any significant difference? A more or less affordable model costs no more than $ 100, but if you wish, you can find kitchen utensils for $ 500.
Many manufacturers of luxury Dutch stoves promise a lifetime warranty for a high price. Although experts say that even a cheap cast-iron product can last a long time.
Pay attention to the lid and handles. They can be made of low-quality materials and quickly fall into disrepair.
How to clean dutch oven properly
Like any kitchen utensils, the Dutch oven needs constant care. You should be able to wash and clean it properly.
Quite often manufacturers place recommendations for the care of dishes on the label, but you should be able to properly wash the Dutch oven yourself.
Follow the advice from experts:
- Do not wash the enameled cast iron Dutch oven in the dishwasher.
- Use a soft sponge and dish soap to clean the enamel coating.
- To thoroughly clean the Dutch oven, mix baking soda and water in a ratio of 3:1.
Common mistakes
Professional chefs claim that the Dutch oven is very easy to use. However, many beginners still make a number of common mistakes:
- Do not try to preheat the Dutch oven to the maximum, otherwise it will not last you long.
- Do not let all the liquid evaporate, otherwise your dish will simply burn.
- Do not allow sudden temperature changes, the seasoned cast iron will simply collapse.
- Do not heat up the new Dutch oven for the first time to the limit, otherwise the material will start to crack.
Main tips and tricks
If you want to get delicious meals when finish cooking at Dutch oven, follow the proven advice from experts:
- Cook your side dish over medium heat. This is effective, since the Dutch oven retains heat well.
- In order not to damage the enamel surface, use a spatula made of wood or silicone.
- Close the lid of the Dutch oven tightly if you want to keep steam inside.
- To get a crusty exterior, keep the lid open. To get a light colored interior, close the lid tightly and add water to the Dutch oven.
Closing
The Dutch oven is a versatile kitchen utensil that you can use to prepare many different dishes. The main thing is to learn how to choose and clean it correctly.
Experts give a lot of tips on the proper use of the Dutch oven, and also offer a wide range of recipes. Don’t be afraid to try something new and surprise your loved ones! The Dutch oven will be a good helper for you!