Amazon.com
Beautiful enough to bring to the table, yet durable enough to outlive its 101-year warranty against defects, this heavy casserole is perfect for preparing and ceremoniously serving dishes such as choucroute garni and braised lamb shanks. The oval shape handles big cuts of meat and big birds. Use it in the oven or on the stovetop for soups and chili. Made of cast-iron, which is unexcelled for its heat distribution and retention, this French oven cooks foods evenly and gently without hot spots at low temperatures and is suitable for all heat sources. This pan holds 5 quarts and its exterior and interior are clad in two coats of Le Creuset's famous enamel. The plastic knob on its heavy, tight-fitting lid is ovenproof to 450 degrees F. Loop handles facilitate carrying, and the casserole is dishwasher-safe. Like all Le Creuset cast-iron products, it is hand-cast in a one-of-a-kind sand mold and hand-finished at the Le Creuset factory in France.
--Fred Brack
Product Description
With its elongated oval shape designed for longer cuts of meat, this 5-quart enameled cast-iron French oven, which measures 9-1/2 by 14 by 6-1/2 inches, works exceptionally well for preparing smaller game, fowl, and poultry like traditional pigeonneau, quail, cornish hen, and chicken. The unit not only easily accommodates larger ingredients, but its functional profile also maximizes convenient side-by-side space on the stovetop.
Made of heavy-duty cast iron, the cookware's colorful, long-lasting exterior enamel resists chipping and cracking, while its durable, nonreactive sand-colored interior enamel offers a smooth surface for cooking and an optimal palette for food presentation. As cast iron is unexcelled for even heat distribution and superior heat retention, and enamel is impervious to acids and odors, the oven browns and cooks food uniformly and gently without hot spots and can be used for marinating, cooking on the stovetop, or finishing in the oven. Two loop cast-iron side handles help ensure a steady grip during transport--even when wearing bulky oven mitts, and the unit's secure-fitting lid locks in heat and moisture while cooking. The lid also comes fitted with a black phenolic knob that's oven-safe up to 350 degrees F. Beautiful enough for the table yet durable enough to outlive its lifetime limited warranty, the French oven can be safely used on any stovetop, including induction, and should be hand washed for best results.
