What would you cook/bake with a small-ish (5.5 qt) Le Creuset dutch oven?

[Anonymous]

I received one of these recently, in new/mint condition, from a relative who recently passed. I am not a really great cook and don't enjoy cooking much. But I know such cookware is very desirable--I assume for good reason, even though I am not the level of cook/baker who has been able to appreciate why.
I'd like to put the dutch oven to good use, ie up my game in the kitchen, so looking for suggestions on what to use it for. I figure if I put my mind to it, this nice cookware could help me turn over a new leaf.

Something simple to start with (and my family prefers vegetarian food mostly) Any ideas would be appreciated!

Additionally, I received a 12" skillet (#30); would there be any things I might consider using it for that I wouldn't use a regular skillet for?

[Anonymous]

I mostly use mine for traditional Gullah meals like beans, peas, and rice dishes. I also make bread in it.

[Anonymous]

No knead bread! It’s easy and delicious.
I use the Dutch oven to steam things too.

[Anonymous]

Risotto; soups; tomato sauce; curry

Skillet - Spanish omelet; pancakes; grilled cheese (it heats up really well)

[Anonymous]

These are great for winter casseroles.

If you do dairy..
Scalloped potatoes
Roasted cauliflower with onions, cream, garlic and cheese
Baked pasta jumbo shells or manicotti with ricotta
Baked Mac and cheese

Veg or vegan lasagna

[Anonymous]

Stuffed green peppers

[Anonymous]

I use mine for just about everything. Soups, ratatouille, curries, baking bread, pasta sauce.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks for these ideas and encouragement !! I’ll give all of these a try !

[Anonymous]

I use mine all the time.

[Anonymous]

Curry, baked beans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curry, baked beans

PS, I discovered Le Creuset a half dozen years ago and it has transformed my cooking experience. I was a decent cook before but became a really good and adventurous cook in the years since. Having really good equipment that performs reliably makes all the difference in the cooking experience, I hope you find the same!

[Anonymous]

Coq au vin?

[Anonymous]

Oatmeal, soups, stews, bread

[Anonymous]

Is 5.5 qt small? When I google it doesn't look too small but I'm really bad with visualizing measurements.

I have no idea what sizes I have, but I like using my smaller one more often since I have a small fam. I only break out the big ones if cooking for a lot of people or making something I want to freeze half of.

My fave recipes:
MOB kitchen 5 spice viet pork (I throw in the oven instead of stove top and use bao buns or tacos https://www.mob.co.uk/recipes/crispy-pork-pancakes )
Osso bucco
Braised short ribs
Chicken & dumplings or easy chicken pot pie (just top crust)
Any sort of soup or stew or chili

My fave use is starting on the stovetop and then tossing in the oven for a few hrs.

I've only made bread in it once, but DH is more the bread baker and does it the old fashioned way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are great for winter casseroles.

If you do dairy..
Scalloped potatoes
Roasted cauliflower with onions, cream, garlic and cheese
Baked pasta jumbo shells or manicotti with ricotta
Baked Mac and cheese

Veg or vegan lasagna

I was going to say this: scalloped potatoes.