All about Le Creuset and cast iron cooking

[schweppes]

b2b3m4:

schweppes:

I must say that I am totally pleased with my LC pot. Am very happy with the way the food has turned out. Family seems to think that the food tastes better too. (Either that, or maybe my cooking has improved :skeptical: :roll: ) Good investment to have in the kitchen.

What have you cooked with your LC pots?

:imanisland: b2b3m4, nice to see you here

These are some of my family faves which I cook often.

1 Ayam Buah Ku Lak
2 Ayam Sio
3 Ayam Ponteh
4 Beef Stew (I like using shin beef; meat is more tender)
5 Chicken stew with white wine sauce
6 Slow roasted garlic, lemon and chicken
7 Chicken soup
8 Coq au vin


For 1 and 2, I buy the ready premix paste from Chilli Padi (located at Tangs Orchard basement) . #1-3 are peranakan dishes.

Any other suggestions for me to try?

[nemofc]

Tangs currently have sales now on LC. I can't decide which to buy

schweppes:

b2b3m4:

[quote=\"schweppes\"]I must say that I am totally pleased with my LC pot. Am very happy with the way the food has turned out. Family seems to think that the food tastes better too. (Either that, or maybe my cooking has improved :skeptical: :roll: ) Good investment to have in the kitchen.

What have you cooked with your LC pots?

:imanisland: b2b3m4, nice to see you here

These are some of my family faves which I cook often.

1 Ayam Buah Ku Lak
2 Ayam Sio
3 Ayam Ponteh
4 Beef Stew (I like using shin beef; meat is more tender)
5 Chicken stew with white wine sauce
6 Slow roasted garlic, lemon and chicken
7. Chicken soup

For 1 and 2, I buy the ready premix paste from Chilli Padi (located at Tangs Orchard basement) . #1-3 are peranakan dishes.

Any other suggestions for me to try? [/quote]

[schweppes]

nemofc:

Tangs currently have sales now on LC. I can't decide which to buy

So many pretty choices to choose from right? :dancing:

Mine is the 29cm oval casserole pot which is a nice size. Guess it also depends on your cooking needs and how many pax u are cooking for.

I was deciding between the 26cm and 29cm but settled for 29cm in the end.

[nemofc]

Thks. For 2 adult & a toddler, what size?


I am keen to do loaf or bake rice. Which is good size?

schweppes:

nemofc:

Tangs currently have sales now on LC. I can't decide which to buy

So many pretty choices to choose from right? :dancing:

Mine is the 29cm oval casserole pot which is a nice size. Guess it also depends on your cooking needs and how many pax u are cooking for.

I was deciding between the 26cm and 29cm but settled for 29cm in the end.

[schweppes]

nemofc:

Thks. For 2 adult & a toddler, what size?


I am keen to do loaf or bake rice. Which is good size?

My 29cm is good for a family of 4. But I have used it to cook for 10pax, so that's why I think it's a nice size.

If cooking for 3pax, then maybe 26cm (don't get too small) especially if your dishes are stews and soups. Not so sure about loaf or bake rice dishes though. Maybe can try the rectangle roasting dish or tatin dish. Best to ask the sales staff for suggestions, they shd be able to advice u better.

Have provided the LC link for ur easy reference

http://www.lecreuset.com/nl-be/Export-Products/Cast-Iron-Cookware/

Do share if u decide to get the new kitchen toy

[nemofc]

Thanks again.


Prob is all so nice and I duno which to get...

Any recipe to share?
Thks

schweppes:

nemofc:

Thks. For 2 adult & a toddler, what size?

I am keen to do loaf or bake rice. Which is good size?

My 29cm is good for a family of 4. But I have used it to cook for 10pax, so that's why I think it's a nice size.

If cooking for 3pax, then maybe 26cm (don't get too small) especially if your dishes are stews and soups. Not so sure about loaf or bake rice dishes though. Maybe can try the rectangle roasting dish or tatin dish. Best to ask the sales staff for suggestions, they shd be able to advice u better.

Have provided the LC link for ur easy reference

http://www.lecreuset.com/nl-be/Export-Products/Cast-Iron-Cookware/

Do share if u decide to get the new kitchen toy

[schweppes]

Sure, here's one on Slow Roasted Garlic, Lemon and Chicken(adapted from Nigella Lawson's \"Forever Summer\" cookbook)


1 chicken - cut into 10 pieces (I usually use drumsticks)
1 head garlic - separated into unpeeled cloves
2 lemons, cut into chunky eights (u can omit this if u dun wait ur chicken too lemony or use 1 lemon instead of two)
2 - 3 Carrots - cut into chunks
Herbs - depending on preference; can be one type or mix. {I've used rosemary, tarragon (goes very well with this dish) or dill}
olive oil
white wine
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 160C

1. Put chicken pieces, garlic cloves, lemon chunks, carrots and herbs into the roasting dish/pot
2. Add the olive oil and white wine
3. Add pepper and salt and massage into chix
4. Make sure chix pieces are skin side up
5. Cover with lid (or alumnimium foil) and roast for 2 hours over low heat

Chicken will be very tender and flavourful. Sometimes if I dun have the time or am too lazy, I will skip the following steps.

6. Turn up temp to 180C
7. Remove the lid or foil and cook uncovered chix for another 30mins.

Remove pot/dish from oven and serve. By then the chix skin will have turned golden brown and the lemons will scorch and crystallise. The garlic will taste magically creamy and sweet. :drool:

For Chix in White Wine, it's similar to the above, except that I skip the lemons and use lesser garlic; maybe not 1 head but 4-5 cloves. Will also include one whole onion and potatoes for this dish.

Steps
1. Dice the onions and garlic
2. Lightly stir fry diced onions, garlic and one stick of cinnamon stick in olive oil
3. Add chicken pieces, carrots and potatoes
4. Add chicken broth (or can use water and season with salt and pepper to taste)
5. Add white wine
6. Cover with lid or aluminium foil

Let it simmer over low heat for 20-30mins. Transfer to oven that is heated to about 180C for about 2hrs. (if I use the LC pot, I usually set my temp as 160C as the cast oven retains heat well)

I can't say how much water or chix broth to use as I don't measure but go by gut feel.

[schweppes]

As for the peranakan dishes, I usually buy the ready premix paste (or rempah) from Chilli Padi, Tangs Orchard basement. I think it costs about $7 per premix. I'm too lazy to make my own rempah (too effortful), so always get ready-made ones.


Just following instructions after that. Easy peasy.

Owing to time constraints, I usually cook one-dish meals for my family. So this dish must contain vege, protein and must be soup/stew based. All-in-one. Depending on what I cook, I will serve with rice or homemade bread or french loaf.

I've cooked these dishes in my other pots and pans before but somehow the taste is different. Cooking in the LC pot makes the dishes extra flavourful and tasty. Cd be due to the cast iron effect? :idea: Don't think it's my imagination as the family feels the same way. That's why quite happy with my LC kitchen toy

[nemofc]

Thank u for the recipe… It can be leave to bake? How about the knod handle?

[schweppes]

nemofc:

Thank u for the recipe... It can be leave to bake? How about the knod handle?

That's why I like the LC. I can cook over flame and then transfer to oven straightaway.

as for the knob, according to the sales lady, she said can take temp up to 180C. Alternatively, if u want to play safe, cook at 160C but leave in the oven at a slightly longer time - maybe about 10mins more? Anyway, it's designed to be able to withstand the heat in the oven.