Le Creuset 2.25-Quart Buffet Casserole: FLAME Review
Le Creuset manufactures porcelain enameled cast iron cooking vessels as well as other products. Le Creuset casts these cooking vessels from molten iron poured in sand moulds that are used only once. For this reason, one pot may look like another, but each is unique in its own way.
Cast iron is a highly efficient material which absorbs and distributes heat efficiently. It is recommended that cooking with cast iron is done on low to medium heat. There are exceptions like boiling water where cooking on high heat is appropriate and okay. Remove cast iron from the heat and it does not cool off quickly. This helps your food stay warm while serving. Beware; iron tends to be heavy so these cooking vessels tend to be heavy as well.
Cast iron is an effective material for cooking so why cover it with enamel? Iron tends to rust; iron oxide (rust) doesn't add any complimentary flavors to your food. If your cast iron cooking vessel was not enameled, you would have to season and maintain your cooking vessel. Adding the porcelain enamel not only looks good, but has multiple benefits. The enamel, being a solid coating, is one of the most hygienic surfaces to cook on, does not stain, absorb odors, retain flavors, and is easy to clean. The enamel can be damaged, so limit cooking tools to plastic or wood.
The benefits of cooking with Le Creuset cast iron are many, but lets get down to the buffet casserole specifically. 2 1/4 quarts is not a lot of space when it comes to casseroles, so consider your recipes when determining the size you need. The buffet casserole tend to do best if at least 3/4 full. Any less and you may overwhelm your food with heat evenly dispersed in the pot.
With a large flat bottom that curves up this pan resembles a curved sided saute pan the only thing missing would be a long handle. The tight fitting lid is mostly flat with curved sides. This lid seals in heat, moisture, and flavors and can be used to hold your meat while you are making a sauce from the drippings. Its shape and design makes this an extremely versatile pan. I tend to cook large amounts so this pan is usually used for side dishes and desserts. But once you get past the basic functionality that lends itself to recipes such as paella, cous cous, and basic casseroles, you can really open up the possibilities.
Keep in mind this is a 2 1/4 quart pan, with about an 8 inch diameter. This may be the pan for families from 2-4. Some possibilities for this pan besides casseroles include frittatas, dinner rolls, Pepsi chicken wings, mac-n-cheese, baked squash, shrimp scampi, cobblers, pies, pineapple upside down cake, or bread pudding. The possibilities almost seem endless.
One feature that people tend to complain about is the cost. The cost does seem steep compared to other pans made from other materials. Heck, cast iron doesn't seem like it should be expensive when comparing to that old cast iron pan past generations have used for cornbread and camping. However the manufacturing process requires making a mould for each and every pan produced. They then go through the enameling process before shipping these heavy pans. If you take what goes into making and distributing these high quality cast iron products, the cost tends to make sense. Then consider that this pan will easily last a lifetime when taken care of.
PROS:
Extremely versatile
Efficient absorption and distribution of heat
Hygienic enamel cooking surface
Does not stain, absorb odors, or retain flavors
Easy to clean when not abused or misused
Can be transferred from stove top to the oven to the table
Can easily last a lifetime
CONS:
Its heavy, as cast iron tends to be weighing in at about 6 pounds.
Le Creuset 2.25-Quart Buffet Casserole: FLAME Feature
- Can be used on the stovetop, in the oven and to serve at the table
- Performs well on all heat sources, including induction
- Non-abrasive bottom and long lasting, shock-resistant finish
- Distributes heat evenly and retains heat longer
- Warranted for the lifetime of the original owner
Le Creuset 2.25-Quart Buffet Casserole: FLAME Overview
Beautiful buffet casserole works double duty in the oven and on the table. Made for entertaining, this low, wide casserole is designed to showcase food to maximum advantage on a dinner table or buffet. This quintessential kitchen-to-tableware piece cooks foods while sealing in delicious flavors and moisture. Ideal for marinating, poaching, baking and browning foods to tender perfection. The mainstay of French chefs for nearly a century, Le Creuset cookware features bold and bright colors in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit any culinary need. Each cookware piece is skillfully finished by hand. Dishwasher-safe. Made in France. 13 1/2"L (including handles) x 4 1/4"H. 2 1/4-quart. 8 lbs.
Product Features
• Molded of cast iron with an expertly enameled glossy porcelain coating
• All-in-one buffet casserole beautifully goes straight from cooking to table for serving, then to freezer or fridge
• Versatile for stovetop, oven and broiler
• Highest quality porcelain enamel coating is impermeable to odors and stains
• Foods will not react with the enameled finish
• Easy-clean enamel surfaces are scratch-resistant
• Superior conduction of heat promotes faster cooking times
• Even distribution and retention of heat ensures cookware stays hot longer
• Heavy, tight-fitting lid seals in moisture and flavors - food self-bastes
• Sure-grip phenolic knob and handle are ovenproof to 400 F
• Suited for all heat sources including electric, gas, ceramic, induction and halogen top
• Bright color choices coordinate with virtually any home dcor
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 09, 2010 23:28:52
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