I fell in love with my first Le Creuset, Braiser (Dutch Oven) while watching Ina Garden aka The Barefoot Contessa on her Food Network cooking show. The colors had me at first sight but it wasn’t until I later researched the line of cookware that I became a fan.

It was years before I purchased my first piece. It took me that long to build up enough courage and $dough$ to fork over, for just one lonely pot.!!! I use my Dutch Oven for just about everything. You’ve seen me make soups and braise meat in previous post.

I love it and so does the hubs. He knows I don’t like him using my special cookware because he has burnt up plenty of pots in the kitchen. I gave him my old set of cookware to use and every time I turn around, I catch him pulling out my good stuff!!! It appears that any cook will go for great cookware and kitchen gadgets.
Le Creuset  has been making cast iron products since 1925 and they still make every piece of cast iron the same way. *“They individually cast each piece in sand molds, that are used only once and later broken after each use, making each piece unique and with its own style and identity.”

I was so excited to hear that Le Creuset was hosting a factory sale in my area this past weekend and I raced to the sale in hopes of finding a new piece to add to my meager collection. There were so many choices to pick from but the sticker shock kept me in the store for hours. I was determined to find the best deal for my pocketbook. After wearing out the linoleum with my cart,  I finally settled on this beauty,

the Fait-Tout meaning “does everything” by French standards.
This bad boy  **“combines the best of a sauté pan and frying pan.

The sloping sides provide more surface area for evaporating liquids, while still providing ample contact with the heat source. The sides are just high enough to be used in place of a low saucepan, and the lid minimizes evaporation when simmering or braising,” let alone the shiny black coal finish! I can’t wait to cook up a pan of short ribs and watch them braise in their glory!
My sissy and I both love French press coffee and she’d been eyeing a Le Creuset pot for some time.

My instructions from my big sis were to grab her a French Press Coffee Maker if they had any at the sale. They did and you know I wasn’t going to leave without getting me one too. My coffee was extra smooth this morning or at least I’d like to think so. I’m basting in cast iron love!

Check out this Stock Pot//on sale to start or add to your Le Creuset collection.

Information Source *here and **here.

Image:cerise