Le Creuset, do I need any?

JDL4

I am a newlywed and we've had our own home for a year now. I have a pot and pan set from Rachael Ray and some All Clad pieces for special things (lasagna, turkey, a large pot with steam basket that's not used often). I'm pretty happy with the Rachael Ray stuff, so I haven't felt the need to replace it with higher end cookware.

I've recently fallen in love with the look of Le Creuset. My H and I like how they come in different colors and ever since getting a home, we are sometimes obsessed with certain lines (especially Dyson, lol).

We cook mostly pastas, rices, and only saute small pieces of meat. Are there any Le Creuset pieces that you think we might use (not really knowing us), or that you personally love (and what you use them for)?

Also, what type of cookware pieces do you have in your kitchen? What do you find useful and a necessity to have? 

Thanks!! 

maeghan21

I think a good started Le Creuset piece is the 4.5 qt Dutch Oven. It's small enough, yet big enough to make a nice batch of soup or bake a decent (2 person) roast. You could also look at a nice briaser. If you like the look but don't want too much of the expense, they have stock pots that are enamal on the outside and stainless steel on the inside. Great pots but you get a pretty color (versus blah black or stainless steal) I feel like you can do anything in the kitchen with a great set of knives, a good saute pan, cutting board. The one thing I never thought I would use as much as I do is the standmixer, if you see on my blog, I use it for everything, even shredding meat. So, that's a bit tool in my kitchen. Along with a kitchen scale, meat thermometer and an oven thermometer. Everything else is gravy.

JDL4

Thanks Meaghan! I think once I get more recipes I'll find use for more of my things. I will check out your blog!

lasposa425

maeghan21:

I think a good started Le Creuset piece is the 4.5 qt Dutch Oven. It's small enough, yet big enough to make a nice batch of soup or bake a decent (2 person) roast. You could also look at a nice briaser. If you like the look but don't want too much of the expense, they have stock pots that are enamal on the outside and stainless steel on the inside. Great pots but you get a pretty color (versus blah black or stainless steal) I feel like you can do anything in the kitchen with a great set of knives, a good saute pan, cutting board. The one thing I never thought I would use as much as I do is the standmixer, if you see on my blog, I use it for everything, even shredding meat. So, that's a bit tool in my kitchen. Along with a kitchen scale, meat thermometer and an oven thermometer. Everything else is gravy.

This is the only Le Creuset piece we have and we love it! I use it a lot for stews and such.

capulet

I have two I use a lot: a ~5 quart dutch oven (actually Staub, another line worth looking at) and a 3.5 quart LC braiser.  I use the dutch oven for soups, stews, roasts, and bread, and the braiser for flat cuts of meat and a lot of things I would probably use my saute pan for otherwise.  We've had the dutch oven for seven or eight years now and it's held up really well.  I think a lot of recipes are designed for the 5 quart size and I didn't feel like it was too big when I was just cooking for the two of us.  I want to get something larger soon for larger recipes and entertaining.  The cast iron stuff is great for browning meat and slow cooking food (I have a crockpot too but hate cleaning it); I didn't register for any originally but now that I have a couple of pieces I can't imagine cooking without them.

I have a lot of other stuff but the only things besides my cookware that I can't live without are my KitchenAix mixer and a good set of knives.

Brina105

I also love the look of Le Creuset items. I love the colors because I like having a "coordinated kitchen".

I ended up getting off my registry some of their bakeware. I think its nice becuase it all matches and I can have a dinner party and bring things from the oven right to the table, vs. using a a baking pan that isn't so cute. Certainly there are less expensive pieces of bakeware that also "look nice" but I like having the matching pieces. I also have the 3 quart roung covered baker. I found this is nice to do things like risotto or put in mac and cheese. It is Oven safe, but not stovetop safe so that is something to keep in mind (it isn't cast iron)... but again, when i use the covered baker, and my baking dishes everything looks nice together when you are pulling together a big meal. Plus its pretty cherry to have some color in the kitchen other than white or clear or steel.

I have been waiting for the 4.5 quart dutch over to go on sale.  I'm hoping to get it soon. Sometimes they pop up at homegoods and marshalls too for around $150.00.

I think the dutch oven is a must buy. It is so versitile. But I think if you want inexpensive additions that match and make you feel like a pro, go for the bakeware as well.