Fall in Love with Le Creuset

Iconic, indestructible, intimidating? Since 1925, Le Creuset has set the standard for homemade haute cuisine.

• Founded by two Belgian industrialists, one a casting specialist, the other an enameling specialist, Le Creuset’s first piece, the cocotte or Dutch Oven was created in Fresnoy-le-Grand where Le Creuset is still made today.
• The cookware is manufactured by melting 15% pure pig iron, 35% recycled steel from cars and 50% recycled iron down in huge melting pots called “creuset,” making for beautiful and eco-friendly pieces!
• In 1934, Le Creuset introduced its signature color, Flame, but it was not until 30 years later that Le Creuset became popular worldwide when it began selling at Selfridges, becoming a sensation.

These versatile pieces are the backbone of our kitchens at The Chopping Block and a wonderful addition to any home kitchen. I love them because the pieces are sophisticated yet sturdy, which means that they can go right from oven or cooktop to table, saving dishes and dishwashing along the way! With an array of colors, shapes and sizes, they brighten up any table from backyard barbeques to fancy-schmancy dinners. They’re also practical with lids and knobs that go can go right into the oven for baking and braising and they’re dishwasher safe. Their heavy bottoms mean that they provide even heat distribution making them perfect for searing, sauteing and generally not burning your food!

If I were stranded on a desert island and only got to take one piece of cookware with me, it would be the Le Creuset 5 Quart Braiser. It’s my go to pan in the kitchen!

FROM BAKING BREAD: Buttery Dinner Rolls

TO SAUTEING & BROILING: Shrimp Santorini

TO DESSERT: Tarte Tatin

Le Creuset pieces are certainly an investment worth making, especially since they are 20% off at both of our Chopping Block locations until the end of January!

If you've ever wondered how Le Creuset and Lodge Cast Iron differ and whether you need both types of cast iron in your kitchen, Chef Carrie Bradley answers this question in her blog Cast Iron Conundrum: Le Creuset or Lodge Cast Iron?

She also mentions the necessity of Le Creuset in a recent article in the Chicago Tribune on Essential Kitchen Tools for Winter Cooking.