Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 3-1/2-Quart Round French Oven, Cobalt Blue

Product Description Beautiful enough for the table yet durable enough to outlive its lifetime limited warranty, this heavy, round, 3-1/2-quart French oven offers a convenient capacity for preparing and serving one-pot dinners for two, smaller entrees, or side dishes like macaroni and cheese or any variety of rice. Like all Le Creuset cast-iron products, it's hand cast in a one-of-a-kind sand mold and hand finished at the Le Creuset factory in France. The cast-iron oven provides a colorful, long-lasting exterior enamel that resists chipping and cracking and a durable, nonreactive sand-colored interior enamel that offers a smooth surface for cooking, as well as an optimal palette for food presentation. As cast iron is unexcelled for even heat distribution and superior heat retention, and enamel is impervious to acids and odors, the oven browns and cooks food uniformly and gently without hot spots and can be used for marinating, cooking on the stovetop, or finishing in the oven. Two loop cast-iron side handles help ensure safe transport and a steady grip even when wearing oven mitts, and the unit's secure-fitting lid locks in heat and moisture while cooking. The lid's phenolic knob withstands heat up to 350 degrees F, and the vessel can be safely used on any stovetop, including induction. Though dishwasher-safe, Le Creuset recommends hand-washing the French oven for best results. Amazon.com If a slow-roasted chicken or rich ratatouille sounds incredibly tempting, this round French oven, a great casserole dish, will help satiate your cravings. The versatility of Le Creuset's dish lets you prepare a recipe on the stove and then move it to the oven, or bake it completely in the oven and then transfer it to table and finally into the dishwasher. This pan has been fashioned in France from porcelain enamel cast iron, giving it a durable weight and a beautiful finish. Also, cast iron distributes heat evenly and requires cooking with only low to medium temperatures. The pan's design and tight fitting lid keep the moisture in with foods (to avoid drying) and maintain full flavor. Always cool this pan before washing, and avoid abrasive pads or cleaners. --Teresa Simanton

• 3-1/2-quart round French oven made of enameled cast iron
• Cast-iron loop handles facilitate carrying from the oven or stovetop to the table
• Heavy, tight-fitting lid with phenolic knob helps lock in heat, moisture, and flavor
• Washing by hand recommended; oven-safe to 350 degrees F
• Measures 9 by 11-1/2 by 5-3/5 inches; limited lifetime warranty