How do I cook with a Dutch Oven?

Question

I really must apologize straight away because this is an incredibly stupid question.

I was reading a magazine that features a woman who cooks meals whose healthy recipes are designed for those with MS. She makes them all in a Dutch Oven, though - an item I've never heard of.

I've been looking at Dutch Ovens on eBay and in MANY of the ads they say things like "you can use on stove top and in freezer." They do not, however, point out specifically that it can be used INSIDE an oven.

The chef who wrote the article cooks all of her meals in a Dutch Oven IN her oven.

I can cook in a Dutch Oven IN my oven, right?

They're very expensive so I have to make the right choices here.

Thank you!!!

Answer 1

A Dutch oven is a deep pot that you use either on the stove top and in the oven, I use mine to make soups ,stews, etc...

Answer 2

I have a caste iron dutch oven with a lid that I use on top of the stove and also in the oven. I will brown a big roast in olive oil and spices then turn the burner down real low and cook it covered for a couple hours. About half an hour before the roast is done I cut up fresh vegetables(potatoes,carrots, onions and sometimes squash and put those on top and finish cooking. This makes a hearty one dish meal. Really tastes good on a cold winter evening. If you add a can of beef broth over the top the last half hour when you are cooking the veggies you will have tasty drippings to make gravy. YUM YUM

Answer 3

These are normally used for slow cooking or stewing and yes you can use them in the oven just make sure if it is an enamel coated dutch-oven it will be able to take the heat (they usually come with directions now).

If they are too expensive it might be a good idea to invest in a crock-pot that can be plugged into an outlet. Crock-pots can be cheaper and come in different sizes to suit your cooking needs.

We own a dutch-oven and crock-pot, the crock-pot has the advantage of not using the oven. We use it in the summer to avoid heating up the house by turning on the oven (it gets to over a hundred degrees here in AZ).

Either way you get the same effect, slow cooking. And remember that is the point of the dutch-oven, the crock-pot will do the same.

I just used the crock-pot today as a matter of fact, I threw some chuck roast, onions, garlic, carrots, and some whole potatoes in the crock-pot, turned it on and left to work. I came home to some tender meat and potatoes.

Answer 4

Dutch ovens are great! Salt and pepper a chicken, cook it in a 400 degree oven for about 45 minutes, then toss a bag of mixed winter vegetables in, pour a can of mushroom soup on top with another dash or two of black pepper,let the chicken and veggies cook for another hour while you make a long telephone call to a friend. When your nose tell you it time to eat, make sure that the juices run clear and that the meat of the chicken is tender to the fork and hopefully its a golden brown. Your whole house will smell absolutely delicious, folks will be knocking at the door and inviting themselves to dinner. If you are kind, invite one person in just to act as a witness, while the two of you chow down on a wonderful meal.

If you buy a cast iron dutch oven which is a very good thing to buy, you will have to season it, that makes your pot worth keeping for a life time.

Answer 5

A Dutch Oven is a deep pot, with lid, 5-6 qts. in size, that is usually used to cook stews or boil ears of corn or something in quantity. It can be used either directly on a burner or in an oven up to 500 deg. I found a nice one on QVC for you to check out. The description follows:

Item Number K5590
Technique Hard Anodized Easy Pour 5qt Stockpot

Retail Value $65.00
QVC Price $45.00
Shipping and Handling $6.97
Save! Buy two or more and save on S & H.
Click here for S & H details.

Put together a hearty meal in this Technique(R) easy-pour 5-quart stockpot. Its hard anodized surface is two times harder than stainless steel and conducts heat evenly throughout the pan. Done in a tulip shape, it features silicone handles and a unique lid design, making it easier to lift and drain. The superior hi-low base helps the pan maintain its durability. DuPont(TM) ScratchGuard(R) nonstick coating for metal utensil-safe use and easy food release. Professional weight. Oven safe to 500F.

Measures approximately 6"D x 10"Diam.
NSF certified. Lifetime LMW.

If you go to the QVC website just enter item K5590 into "Search" and it will take you to the item. Or, "dutch oven" and it will take you to different kinds they have in stock.

Answer 6

The cast iron dutch oven is your best choice. I have four different sizes. Last winter we had a huge fire going so I dumped some butter, a can of cherrys, and a boxed cake mix on top (no mixing) and a bit more butter. Put the top, on set it in the coals with a shovelful of coals on top . 20 min later we had Cherry cobbler.
almost any thing you can do in the oven you can do in a Dutch Oven. The ones with legs are meant for out door cooking.

Answer 7

I use a Dutch Oven all the time. However, I use it on top of the stove. Its great for making sauces, stews, pot roast and anything that you have to simmer. I never heard of using it in the oven. Check with the manufacturer

Answer 8

in my way of thinking a Dutch oven is just a heavy metal pot with two handles.
I use the pan to cook meat in the oven.
But also cook beans on top ,because the pan hold temperature very well and you can turn it on low on your stove,it also works wonders on rice.An older person once told me how to cook rice.
Bring rice to a boil with 3/4 inch of water on top,don't stir when it boils turn the heat low and simmer for 20 min.Turn stove off .Still with a lid on the pot.Let it stand 20 min on the still warm plate of stove after that stir in a table spoon of oil and it will not stick.I put leftovers in plastic bags in my freezer

Answer 9

a dutch oven can be used on a stove but i use it when i go camping, i use coals to put under the dutch oven and work great

Answer 10

Yes you can use it in the oven,not micorwave.If it is ceramic i wouldn't have the temp over 350.