We were watching paula Dean yesterday, and she was talking about a dutch oven. What she showed, to me, wasn't a dutch oven..lol.. Not according to out manufacturers anyway.

What is it?

oh, oh, oh... I know!

It's a big thick, heavy pan... I call it a cauldron because thats what it is really... a cauldron with a lid... You use to hang the Dutch Oven on the fireplace rack and swing it over the fire to cook. People use them for camping, some use them at home. I would -love- to have mine back... I lent it to a friend one Yule and never got it back *sigh*

Here is a bunch of recipes for the Dutch Oven -- link (http://www.mydutchoven.com/recipes.php)

The first real dutch ovens had legs I think. You could sit them on the fire and put hot coals on the lid to help you cook. I think nowadays any big pot heavy pot with a tight fitting lid is called a dutch oven.
My 2 big cast iron pots, with flat bottoms are what I use. Here's is a pic.http://www.jeffsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/dutch_oven.jpg

I call mine a stock pot, even though it is really a dutch oven. It is large pot that is really heavy on the bottom (mine is copper bottomed), whereas the stock pot is the same thickness all the way through...I think.

I love my dutch oven becuase I can also use it to fry meat at the bottom for chili or stew, then throw everything else in and simmer. I don't have to use 2 pans, like if I use my stock pot...I have to pre-cook the meat in a fry pan first! Then I have to wash 2 pans!

Lodge cast iron now makes beautiful porcelin clad dutch ovens for very reasonable $. I got red one for Christmas!

Oops, it's enamel clad

Oops, it's enamel clad

I have one similar to yours, but Le Creuset. (enamal over cast iron) I consider it a dutch oven. When I bought it, in the description it was called a French oven. lol

It is exactly like the LeCruset, only about 1/4 the price! I know that is the top brand...but it wasn't in the budget ;-)

how pretty, vroom vroom.

Aldi has a nice red one on sale this week.
They have the matching grill pan with panini press too.

Please, please forgive me for this one.

In Pennsylvania, a dutch oven happens when you are in bed with somebody, under the blankets. Essentially, one person passes gas, and then pulls the blankets up over the other person's head to give them the 'full effect'.

I'm sure the other kind is much better to have around the house though. :D

Amy

Please, please forgive me for this one.

In Pennsylvania, a dutch oven happens when you are in bed with somebody, under the blankets. Essentially, one person passes gas, and then pulls the blankets up over the other person's head to give them the 'full effect'.

I'm sure the other kind is much better to have around the house though. :D

Amy

I'm so glad you explained the other meaning. Anytime I tried to type it, I busted out laughing.

In Iowa, In the McDowell house, a dutch oven is grounds for divorce!

My dutch oven is made of cast iron . I use on the fire pit and put coals on top/. creates an oven effect when camping.

I have three cast iron dutch ovens and one that is stainless steel and has a glass lid.

I try to mainly use the cast iron, but the stainless steel one is good for when I am in a hurry and I just want to throw it in the dishwasher.

I just got a new one at Target for $39.00. My other seems to have been lost in the move. It's also great for doing two process cooking - browning on top of the stove such as searing a roast and then thrown in your veggies, some water and roast in the oven. You can make no-knead bread in them. Very versatile cooking item.

I have an old cast iron dutch oven that was my mothers that I use all the time. It's great for stews, soups and chili. I use it for cooking beans of any sorts. I also use it for frying chicken and fish. I don't think I could cook without my cast iron skillets and dutch oven.

Dixie Jean

Aldi has a nice red one on sale this week.
They have the matching grill pan with panini press too.

I got a Dutch oven for Christmas from my husband, for camping. I don't really know what to do with it but we'll figure it out I guess.

I also got one of those enamel covered cast iron skillets and LOVE IT. So I was thrilled to see Aldi had them on sale this week, I'm going to go tonight and pick up another one.

I have 2 that I got at garage sales
for $1.00 a piece.
I use them on the woodstove for soups and stews and spaghetti sauce and simmer all day

A true Dutch oven has three little feet and a lid with a rim so you can pile the coals from your campfire onto the lid for the food to cook surrounded by heat, like in an oven.

My "Dutch oven" is more properly called a chicken fryer - nice deep pot with a wire bail handle attached, and the cast iron lid has pointy things sticking downward for condensation to baste the food as it bakes. It also has a class lid for when it's in "chicken fryer" mode, presumably.

Weighs a ton. I use it stovetop for soups and stews (sans tomatoes) and also in the oven. I feel like pioneer woman when I haul it down from its storage place and set it on the stove, lol.