Le Creuset Pot (red wine, mushrooms, freeze, loin)

[dens]

Just treated myself to two of these great pots...were on my list all my life and finally. So I have made braised short ribs in them...what else do you suggest? Primarily looking for things that go from stove to oven.
I have the French Oven Oval and the 6 quart one.

[Debsi]

I've fallen in love with Le Creuset also. I have the 3.5 qt braiser and the 7.2 qt dutch oven (round).

I make chili and soup in the dutch oven, among other things.

I recently made a braised chicken recipe that was flavored with soy and lemon. That was yum!

Another well-known braise is chicken cacciatore. (sp?)

Another favorite for me is making a stew with chuck roast, onions, celery, and mushrooms. You sop up the brown-red wine flavored gravy with french bread.

[dens]

mmmmhhhhh...thanks...just in love with these pots and serving in them as well...my round 6 quart is yellow and I made this great cajun chicken pasta in it and served it straight from the pot....made me so happy.

[elnina]

Great buy!!! Congratulations!
You can cook anything in it that you'd normally put in a pot. The LeCrueset just does it better. You will have to learn to adjust the heat source, though (generally that means cooking on a lower flame) because the cast-iron retains heat. But other than that you'll love your new toy.
Soup, stew, roast, bread ( yes!!) : http://www.momj47.com/recipes/almost...ad%20bread.pdf
risotto, gumbo and chili; you can do all the searing and simmering in one pot.
Recipes for entree, appetizer, dessert & more | Le Creuset


... and remember: always wash when pot is cool, do not fill hot pot with cold water,

[CaliDude1]

We have an 8 qt. oval French oven. I intentionally try to come up with dishes that can be made in that pot. I made some braised pork chops in it most recently. They came out great!. I have braised chicken and tenderloin in it as well. I have also done a spicy lentil soup in it. It is a great pot to have in your kitchen arsenal.

[homeonthelittlemountain]

At 59, I’m finally going to buy my first piece of Le Creuset cookware. I’ve done the research and have decided that the braiser would be the best piece to own if I can only purchase one piece. I might buy the French oven next year....we'll see.

I have a new induction cooktop. I cook for just me and my husband most of the time but I like leftovers and I freeze a good bit. We do entertain occasionally.

The 5 qt. seems big but the 3.5 qt. might not be big enough. I don’t like to crowd my meat when browning....and I like the idea of having enough surface space to spread vegetables out with the meat.

Does anyone have the LC braiser? What size worked best for you? Thanks.

[weezycom]

I tend to go with bigger b/c I also don't like to crowd my meat and like to cook enough for leftovers. However, with Le Creuset, weight can be an issue. I would go to a kitchen store that has both in stock and try lifting and moving each one around a bit to see if the big one is easy enough to handle for cooking and cleanup. If you need a block & tackle to get it out of the sink, maybe it's not the right one

[AK76]

Get the 5qt, you are correct in thinking that the 3.5 will be too small. I cook for two most of the time as well and I cook a large meal for two, meaning I always have leftovers, on purpose. My cookware set had a gap that needed filling because the 3.5qt was too small for my needs in general. I purchased a 5.5qt to fill the gap between 3 and 8qt vessels, it is my "go to" now.

[nmnita]

The larger size for sure. We are only 2 of us, but I still like the larger size. That being said, I have to admit, I have had 2 pieces of Le Creuset and been a little disappointed. Maybe it is just me, but I don't think they were worth the price I paid. Good luck and enjoy it this is something you have wanted for years.

[mistyriver]

I don’t have a braiser but I have the 9 qt. LC Dutch oven and it’s the best. I also have a Staub french oven and the rest of my cookware is All Clad.
The LC is rapidly becoming my favorite. Will be getting more.