Showing posts with label casserole. Show all posts
Showing posts with label casserole. Show all posts

3/10/2012

Lodge Enamel Oval Casserole Review

Lodge Enamel Oval Casserole
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Cast iron usually isn't my first choice of cookware for several reasons: it isn't non-stick; it's heavy (I have tendonitis in my hands); and it can't go in the dishwasher. Thankfully, Lodge's new enamel-coated line takes care of most of these issues!
I recently got my hands on one of their two-quart enamel-coated casserole dishes for review, in apple green. I love the wide, shallow design. After all, many casseroles wind up with browned, crusty toppings--which are the best part!--and this allows more of the casserole to come out that way. I also find this a little easier to lift, particularly because of the wide handles, although you definitely need both hands and I still let my husband move it in and out of the oven for the most part.
Two quarts is barely enough for most casseroles, I find; I usually prefer dishes that are two and a half quarts just because they allow a little more room for error and help to avoid spill-overs. However, I think most reasonably-sized casseroles will fit in this.
The quality of the enamel coating is part of what I love most about Lodge's enamel-coated line. In the past I've used Le Creuset enamel-coated cast iron (bought quite a while ago, so if they've improved their coating in recent years I can't address that) and it was definitely inferior. It wasn't as slick, so it didn't clean as easily nor release food as easily. It also didn't stand up all that well to metal utensils. In contrast, it's hard to imagine this coating wearing down any time soon. We made cornbread in it and it slid out of the pan without any help at all.
I love the way this pan heats evenly, holds heat and keeps a casserole warm until you come back for seconds, releases food with ease, and cleans like a charm despite the fact that you should wash it by hand. It's elegant, the wide and shallow design is perfect for giving you more of the browned topping that's so delicious on most casseroles, and it makes the niftiest oval loaf of cornbread. What more could you want?
Well okay, I wish it could go in the dishwasher on general principle, I wish they could come up with a way to make cast iron lighter for those of us with hand problems, and I wish it held just a little bit more. But in good conscience I can only take about half a point off for those, so consider my rating to be 4.5.

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The enamel coating eliminates the need to "season" the cast iron and creates a non-reactive surface that can be used for cooking as well as marinating, refrigerating or freezing.Lodge Enamel can be used on electric, gas and induction cooktops on low to medium temperatures.It can also be used in gas, electric or convection ovens below 500 degrees.Although dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended for preserving the appearance of the enamel. This 2 Quart oval casserole is great for individual lasgna dishes as well as au gratin dishes. Liberty Blue

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12/22/2011

Tramontina Gourmet Cast Iron Covered Casseroles Review

Tramontina Gourmet Cast Iron Covered Casseroles
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The price can't be beat! $45 with free shipping is a great value regardless of what I write in this review. I was excited to open the box, and loved the color immediately! I continued to be impressed by the weight of the pot. But after completely un packing, I placed the lid on the pot, and looked at my wife and said, this is why a Le Creuset is $245, and this was only $45. The lid does not seal tightly, and you need to rotate the lid to find the position where it seals best, though it's still not 100%, closer to 90%.
Would I buy it again? Probably. Would I have bought it in a store, where the faults were clear before making the decision to purchase? Probably not. I just cannot justify the $200+ dollars for the "real deal".
I hope this helpful.
UPDATE: After using this dutch oven many times for a variety of dishes, I would increase my rating to 4 stars. The initial dissappointment of the ill fitting lid has faded, and what remains is a pot that does its job well and even out on my bakers rack, next to a Le Creuset, holds its own in terms of looks.

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Friends and family will quickly gravitate to the dining-room table with this beautiful casserole as the centerpiece. Measuring 14 by 11-2/7 by 7-4/5 inches, the covered pot holds 6-1/2 quarts, making it perfectly suited for slow cooking homemade soups and stews, sauteing vegetables, braising meats, roasting poultry, baking, and even frying. It also works well for one-dish meals: start by sauteing onions and browning meat, then add liquid and other ingredients to finish on the stovetop or in the oven. The vessel's interior features a light-beige, smooth, porcelain-enamel finish that requires no seasoning, so it's ready to use right out of the box, while its exterior sports a gleaming, vibrant red porcelain-enamel finish that adds a splash of color to any cookware collection.
Constructed from heavy-gauge cast iron, the vessel not only retains and distributes heat evenly (no hot spots to worry about), but it also resists scratches, stains, and the damaging effects of regular household use. Use it on any stovetop, including induction, electric, gas, and ceramic; it can also withstand an oven's heat up to 450 degrees F. Two integrated side handles flank the casserole, helping to ensure safe transport from the kitchen to the tabletop or buffet for use as serveware. The vessel's heavy, secure-fitting lid keeps heat, moisture, and nutrients contained, and its round stay-cool lid knob makes it easy to remove the lid when it's time to give contents a stir or serve up dinner. The covered casserole carries a limited lifetime warranty and cleans up easily by hand with hot, soapy water.

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11/27/2011

Bunzlauer Polish Pottery 1157-DU1 3 Qt Family Casserole, Yellow with Blue and Green Review

Bunzlauer Polish Pottery 1157-DU1 3 Qt Family Casserole, Yellow with Blue and Green
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
i started collecting polish pottery several years ago and this is a beautiful piece....it is "huge" and will accomodate a large family or party well. proud to add this to my collection....

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These elegant Bunzlauer Family Casseroles are made in keeping with the 200-year tradition of producing high-quality, hand-crafted stoneware in Boles?awiec, Poland.Each bowl is signed with the artisans' initials and proudly displays the unique Zak?ady back stamp.They are lead-free and safe for use in the oven, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher.

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