Why Cooks "Go Dutch" You Will Too #Vancasso

Have you heard of a Dutch oven? It’s a great kitchen tool to have.

I was talking to a friend today about the Dutch oven I received to review from Vancasso (along with some really lovely pasta bowls). Once I started learning about this unique cookware, I realized why cooks “Go Dutch” and why you will want to as well. Learn about this unique pot and Vancasso’s pretty pasta bowls.

What is a Dutch Oven?

It’s not a casserole dish or a stockpot. A Dutch oven is a thick-walled, lidded pot. It has been used for centuries so slow cook soups, stews, sauces, pasta dishes, and even bread. My mother had a popular brand of Dutch oven that she used to make shrimp jambalaya. Hers was enameled and cast iron. I have this pot now, and it’s one of my treasured favorites. A good piece of cookware will last, and can be passed down through the generations.

Is it really Dutch, or French?

Although the pot is called a Dutch oven, it really was invented (so I read) by an Englishman who realized that cast iron would be cheaper but he needed a Dutch process to make things work. I also read that the name is actually incorrect. If the pot is enameled, as the Vancasso Dutch Oven is, then it is really a French oven (not sure why).

The difference between a Dutch oven and a French oven is that Dutch ovens are cast iron, but the French version is coated with enamel. A bare cast iron pot requires more work to clean than one that is coated, but the choice is yours. If you take care of it, your pot will last long enough to possibly be passed down to the next generation.

What Makes a Dutch Oven Special?

You probably have plenty of pots and pans in your kitchen, But a Dutch oven is unique for many reasons. Dutch ovens are extremely versatile. You can sear a piece of meat, or make all sorts of recipes in it. The most important thing to note is that, unlike a stainless steel pan, dutch ovens are cast iron and hold their heat, evenly. That means you can “set it and forget it.” (well, almost).

If your Dutch oven has a tightly sealed lid, instead of losing flavor to evaporation, the condensation settles back onto the food, enhancing the taste. The Vancasso version I tried has a unique lid. You may not see it working, but Vancasso’s lid than an internal Circulation Shower Design. If you look at the lid you will see 40 evenly distributed dots that help to accelerate the condensation of evaporated water vapor in the food and drip it evenly into the food. The water vapor circulates and locks inside the pot, fully releasing the flavor and nutrients of the ingredients.

Vancasso Dutch Oven Details:

vancasso dutch oven colors from the box top photo by alison blackman

Amazingly, the Vancasso products are sold on Amazon. The Vancasso Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 6 QT Dutch Oven Pot with Lid, and cast iron with Non-Stick Enamel Coating is just $60. It is available in six colors. However, the red is so striking and looks good if you are serving directly from the pot to the table. You can use this pot on every kind of cooktop (again, but not the microwave). And, it is oven safe to 500 degrees. You can also get this pot in other sizes such as a 3.5 qt-Round, 7.5 qt-Round, or a 9.3 qt-Oval. The 6-quart pot had hundreds of 4-star reviews on Amazon.

If there is a downside, it’s that cast iron is heavy. Once you fill the pot with food, it’s even heavier. It will also be super hot so be sure to put down a heatproof mat and use oven gloves to handle it.

Once you have a Dutch Oven, what do you do with it?

Soups and stews: Dutch ovens are ideal for cooking things low and slow, which makes them perfect for hearty soups and stews. And they’re typically generously sized, which means they can hold a lot of liquid. There are plenty of recipes online that specifically mention using a Dutch oven. But it can be used for easily braising meat, pasta dishes, and even making a loaf of bread. Look online and you’ll find plenty of recipes.

Serve in Style With Vancasso:

When you’re ready to serve (especially soups or stews), this Vancasso Bonita pasta bowl (set of 6/ $34) is Dishwasher and Microwave Safe. These bowls are stackable and hold up to 38 ounces.. This particular set features different colors but all in the same theme. There are other color choices to coordinate with your color scheme, as well The bowls are large enough for soup, pasta, or even to hold crackers, or even as a small fruit bowl. Very pretty and versatile! I have found tons of uses for these.