Is It Possible to Be in Love with a Pot? (from the Cheese Lady)
Not an easy question. Certainly one to which I would have answered "nah" but a week ago. Then it came to me. The Le Creuset cast iron/enamel oval dutch oven. Oh my. I wanted this wonderful device because I am always cooking dishes that require stovetop cooking followed by oven cooking. Previously, I would have to use two different pots, lest I melt my saute pan in my oven. Ever smelled that before? Not pretty.
Why the oval duch oven? Because it can fit a whole chicken without even stretching! Because it makes you feel like a real man just lifting it. Finally, because if we ever have an intruder, it makes a great weapon.
So, I took a chance and begged for it for Christmas. No member of my family went unbegged. Then... there I was on Christmas morning reading the note from Santa (he LOVES cheese by the way). I spotted a large shiny box under the tree with my name on it. I could tell right away from its enormous heft that it could only be one thing. YES! I had been a VERY good girl! Santa (also known as my mother in law) had come through!
Naturally, I just had to cook with it immediately upon my return home. The first dish was Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic. Stinky? Maybe a little. Worth it? Oh yes. One downside - I oversalted. I blame it on my new sea salt - I did not have the salt confidence of an experienced user. I went overboard. Nevertheless, the dish was delicious (though our lips were a bit cracked from the saltiness). Hint to you lovers out there: you BOTH must eat this dish. If only one of you eats it, the other will refuse to kiss you for about a week.
Next dish: Braised short ribs with ancho chile and coffee.
I have five words for you: "YUM. YUM. YUM. YUM. YUM." The meat was so tender, it literally melted in our mouths. This might be due in no small part to the fact that we almost overcooked it. I blame it on Best Buy (also known as "Come to buy a simple tv from us and stay ALL day!"). However, we saved them from certain over-cookedness just in time. The coffee was rich and the ancho chiles gave them great heat. Served with polenta and roasted brussels sprouts, this dish was a winner.
So, in summary, I answer the question: "Is It Possible to Be in Love with a Pot?". Let me put it this way. My husband now sleeps on the couch.
- Jill, The Cheese Lady
Why the oval duch oven? Because it can fit a whole chicken without even stretching! Because it makes you feel like a real man just lifting it. Finally, because if we ever have an intruder, it makes a great weapon.
So, I took a chance and begged for it for Christmas. No member of my family went unbegged. Then... there I was on Christmas morning reading the note from Santa (he LOVES cheese by the way). I spotted a large shiny box under the tree with my name on it. I could tell right away from its enormous heft that it could only be one thing. YES! I had been a VERY good girl! Santa (also known as my mother in law) had come through!
Naturally, I just had to cook with it immediately upon my return home. The first dish was Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic. Stinky? Maybe a little. Worth it? Oh yes. One downside - I oversalted. I blame it on my new sea salt - I did not have the salt confidence of an experienced user. I went overboard. Nevertheless, the dish was delicious (though our lips were a bit cracked from the saltiness). Hint to you lovers out there: you BOTH must eat this dish. If only one of you eats it, the other will refuse to kiss you for about a week.
Next dish: Braised short ribs with ancho chile and coffee.
I have five words for you: "YUM. YUM. YUM. YUM. YUM." The meat was so tender, it literally melted in our mouths. This might be due in no small part to the fact that we almost overcooked it. I blame it on Best Buy (also known as "Come to buy a simple tv from us and stay ALL day!"). However, we saved them from certain over-cookedness just in time. The coffee was rich and the ancho chiles gave them great heat. Served with polenta and roasted brussels sprouts, this dish was a winner.
So, in summary, I answer the question: "Is It Possible to Be in Love with a Pot?". Let me put it this way. My husband now sleeps on the couch.
- Jill, The Cheese Lady
posted by The Cheese Lady (Jill Erber) at 8:40 PM
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