Cook It in Your Dutch Oven

October 15, 2018
The team at America’s Test Kitchen illustrates the practicality and versatility of the dutch oven with these hearty dishes. Even if home cooks don’t opt for ATK’s recommended model from Le Creuset (it retails for upwards of $150; the editors suggest an alternative “best buy” for $84), they’re sure to find plenty of solid standards—fried chicken, mashed potatoes, baked beans, Bolognese sauce—as well as some surprises (Texas chicken-fried steaks; Vietnamese beef pho, etc.). As one might expect from cooking in a dutch oven, these dishes take time. Most, even a “quick” beef and barley soup, take at least an hour; a simple pot roast takes four and a half hours. The editors do suggest, however, time-saving tips for preparation: canned beens are suggested rather than soaking dry ones overnight for the minestrone soup and other bean-based dishes. Readers who appreciate the comforting heartiness of dutch-oven cooking will find lots to choose from, such as chicken soup with parmesan dumplings; roasted poblano and white bean chili; and a must-try bourbon-pecan bread pudding. This is a great resource to have on hand when comfort food cravings hit on a weekend.