5 Things You Should Know Before You Cook With a Dutch Oven

Low and Slow Is Where It's At

One of the main benefits of using a dutch oven is its ability to retain heat well over a long period. Avoid rushing the process and let your braised dishes (like short ribs or pot roast) cook low and slow for a few hours to make tender, fall-off-the-bone masterpieces every time. Don't forget to use the lid to create steam and trap moisture for even more flavorful and juicy dishes.

Develop Flavors in a Dish

Unlike a classic slow cooker, a dutch oven allows you to develop the deep flavors in a recipe by combining several cooking techniques, like searing and sautéing, in conjunction with braising. For bolder and more aromatic dishes, sear or brown your proteins to promote the Maillard reaction. This method helps develop the complexity of flavor due to the interaction between amino acids and sugars reducing when cooked at high temperatures.

Additionally, sauté onions, carrots, and celery before adding the remainder of your ingredients to enhance your dish's warmth and aroma. These layers of flavors will help develop a more complex and well-balanced final result rich in umami.

Care for Your Dutch Oven Properly to Extend Its Life

Properly caring for your dutch oven can help extend its life for generations. However, there are a few elements you should always avoid to make sure you get the most out of this treasured tool. For enamel-coated pots, avoid getting any knicks that may expose the cast iron to moisture, leading to rust. Though tedious, you should wash your dutch oven by hand (once cooled), since the dishwasher can potentially damage the coating.

When using a traditional uncoated cast iron dutch oven, always remember to season it by reapplying an oil coat when necessary. Don't soak your pot in water (which can lead to rust), and avoid simmering acidic foods that can weaken the polymerized oiled surface for long periods.

Be Wary of Drastic Temperature Changes

Always let your dutch oven cool before adding any cold liquids or ingredients. Just as plastic warps when exposed to different temperatures, dutch ovens are extremely sensitive to drastic temperature changes that can damage or even crack the surface. You may also want to consider preheating your pot in the oven, so it can come to temperature simultaneously as your oven begins to warm up.

Make Sure All the Parts Are Oven-Safe

Dutch ovens are great for making stews and soups, but did you know you can also use them to make baked goods? Quickly transform your kitchen into a bakery using your dutch oven to make fresh loaves of bread from the comfort of your home. Before starting this cooking endeavor, make sure that all the parts of your dutch oven are oven-safe at high temperatures. Typically, the standard plastic knobs on a dutch oven can withstand temperatures up to 390 F. When making no-knead bread that requires much higher cooking temperatures, use a replacement knob that can withstand the heat instead. (Le Creuset knobs are oven safe to 500 F, BTW.)

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