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My Dutch oven is one of my most valuable pluses in the kitchen. I use it all year long, somewhat more in the colder months. With my Dutch oven I prepare soups, stews, risottos and even bread. Of all the cookware in my kitchen this is the one I use almost each day. I have various Dutch ovens (of dissimilar dimensions, colors and manufacturers) and lately I purchased a new Le Creuset Dutch oven (7-1/4 quart) and I made assorted dishes so far. Here is a list of my top 5 Le Creuset Dutch oven dishes. All these dishes require slow cooking on a medium to low heat setting. Here they are:

1. The No-Knead Bread: I’m perfectly delighted by this bread recipe. It’s very easy to make and you get a loaf of light bread with a crusty crust. This is a hands-off recipe so your kitchen won’t get messy afterwards. You just mix 3 cups of all-purpose or bread flour, a good deal of instant yeast, a heap of salt and warm water (1 ½ cup). You mix it and leave it to rest for a while (12 to 18 hours). When the resting is over sprinkle with flour and fold the ends of the dough toward the center, leave it to rest for an hour and then place it in your Dutch oven, that you antecedently have heated in your oven at 450 F. Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on, and then uncover it and bake for another 15 – 30 minutes. And here is your fresh baked bread.

2. Minestrone: the minestrone or vegetable soup is one of my favored light dishes. It’s a outstanding all year long dish because, depending on the fresh vegetables available on your local market, you may make a winter or summer vegetable soup. In my summer minestrone I use fresh carrots, peas, tomatoes, corn, spinach, green beans and cauliflower. My winter variation is heavier. I use again carrots, potatoes, beans, celery, leek or cabbage. Even even though I prefer fresh vegetables I now and then use the frozen ones. The minestrone is great when you are on a diet because it’s low calories. I add some olive oil when the minestrone is already cooked for numerous further and added taste.

3. Stuffed artichokes: This is a outstanding summer dish and it’s a great appetizer. This is a very easy recipe you just have to mix a cup of bread crumbs (not fresh but dry), chopped garlic and parsley, olive oil and parmesan cheese. Stuff the artichokes with the mixture. Before you do this cut of the artichoke’s pointed tops of the leaves and the stems. Place the stuffed artichokes in the Dutch oven and add sufficient water to cover the artichokes halfway. This recipe requires a higher heat setting in the beginning before you fetch to boil the artichokes, then lower the heat and cook for one hour. I use the same mixture for stuffing tomatoes as well (just cut the tomatoes in half, take the seed out and add the stuffing).

4. Lentils and bean soup: This is a great winter dish that will warm you on the cold days. This is one of my bestloved soups. You just cook the lentils and beans with smoked meat and celery. You may add a whole potato for density and a carrot for further and added taste (and color). Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chopped parsley when it’s over and you may add a heap of olive oil as well. The Dutch ovens are idealisti for making lentil soups because they use medium or low temperatures, preventing the lentils from overcooking.

5. Spinach risotto: this is unquestionably one of my all time favorites. I normally make it using fresh spinach but you may use the frozen one as well. I use the following ingredients: butter, pancetta, onion, garlic, Arborio rice, spinach, Parmesan cheese, white wine and chicken stock. You warm the butter and fry 1/ cup of chopped onions. When the onions are golden add 1/4 lb. smoked pancetta, fry it for a while (without burning it) and add a cup of rice. Afterwards add the wine, let it evaporate and then add 1/4 chopped fresh spinach and the chicken stock, salt and pepper to taste. At the end add the Parmesan cheese. You may sprinkle a heap of more cheese on the served risotto.

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Most helpful customer reviews

104 of 107 people found the following review helpful.
Same or better results from Bon Ami cleanser
By CrochetKatie
I have owned Le Creuset products for years and have heard suggestions for everything from Soft Scrub to salt for cleaning. I recently changed to earth-friendly products and have been using Bon Ami cleanser in my home. It is noted on the can that it’s recommended by Chantal, Corning Ware, Farberware among many others for cleaning their cookware so I thought I’d give it a try on the interior of my Le Creuset. Works like magic, rinses clean and does not scratch. Gets that last little bit of “stuff” out that your scrubbie pad can’t seem to get off, removes light stains. Best of all, it only costs about $1 for a whole can! Try it on your stainless pots & pans, too. I bought the Le Creuset cleaner recently to see if it would get the brown spots off the underside of my pans but it didn’t work & unfortunately nothing seems to. Be careful if you have an electric stove that your stove burners do not damage the bottom of your Le Creuset, mine have – I did not have this problem when I cooked on a gas stove. All in all the Le Creuset cleaner does not work any better than Bon Ami, so I will save my money in the future.

63 of 66 people found the following review helpful.
Don’t waste your money
By Snail Sister
I have a few brown spots on the bottom of my le creuset. I have never been able to get them off. I thought this product would be the magic formula, but it wasn’t. If you’re thinking about purchasing a le creuset you might think about purchasing the cleaner too to catch any stains as they happen, but once they’re set nothing will take them out – not even this cleaner.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Cleaner
By C. Coleman
This product did not remove month old stain on my Le Creuset Dutch oven. Also, it did not bring back shine to the enamel. It recommends wearing rubber gloves while using this product. The label does not specify that this product is biodegradable. Le Crueset recommends removing stains from enamel by boiling 1 part Tide or Gain and 3 parts water for 10 minutes in the enameled container. Let cool and wash with dish wash soap. Dry the container and then rub with white vinegar to renew shine.

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