Skip to main content

“Food is the Ingredient that Binds us Together” ~ MesadeVida.com


Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

The Dutch oven may be the most useful of kitchen tools. With this versatile cookware, you can cook in any style, whether roasting, braising, frying, or baking. Two main perks of Dutch ovens: they are versatile but also beautiful enough that you will want to keep yours out on the stove. The Dutch oven is the master of the stovetop. Since it is basically a wider, heavier version of a stockpot, it is a good pick to simmer broth or cook up big batches of beans. The cast iron core can get hot enough to quickly sear chunks of meat and brown veggies.

I have had many customers stop in and talk about how they love their Dutch ovens and how they use it for just about everything. One piece that many folks have discussed is how they bake bread in their Dutch oven. Dutch ovens are essentially tall, heavy pots with tight-fitting lids. They are used primarily for slow-cooking methods such as braising and stewing. The rustic all-iron Dutch ovens can be used both on stove tops and in ovens, and some can be used over and under coals. They are known for their ability to go from the stove top–for quick starting techniques such as browning–straight into the oven for the longer cooking process.

At Compliments to the Chef, we carry an assortment of Dutch Ovens. One of our feature ones this summer is the Staub 5 Quart Cocotte. Celebrate the Year of the Horse and Saratoga in style with Staub’s collectible enameled cast-iron pan, featuring an intricately embossed equine portrait on the lid. Perfect for cooking and serving Lunar New Year soups, stir-fries and braises, it also works beautifully for making culinary classics like risotto, pot roast and coq au vin. As versatile as it is functional, this limited-edition piece goes effortlessly from the stovetop or oven to your dining table. This summer, stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery Store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.


Take Care, John & Paula