Review of Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 3-1/2-Quart Buffet Casserole, Cassis

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List Price: $280.00
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I adore this braiser and it has been worth *every* penny. I already own the 7+ quart French oven in kiwi but wanted a pan that is a bit smaller depth-wise, yet still has great surface area for cooking on the stove top. I have made all sorts of wonderful meals in the braiser, such as Beef Bourguignon, braised short ribs, various chicken dishes, etc; as you would expect from a Le Creuset enameled cast iron piece, the browning is excellent and easily transfers to the oven for even cooking. Even if you don't plan to braise, the braiser serves as a fantastic skillet. Clean-up is also easy, especially if you scrape up the delicious fond after you've added your cooking liquid. Otherwise, any resistant remnants are easily washed away; anything particularly baked on comes off with a bit of Bar Keeper's Friend.

The cassis color is so beautiful. As mentioned before, I already own a few Le Creuset pieces in kiwi and these colors are lovely together.

Do be sure to inspect your pan when you receive it. Though Le Creuset offers an excellent, lifetime warranty, you want to make sure the pan arrives without defect, if only to save yourself the hassle of having to exchange it down the road. Look at the piece, both inside and out, and ensure that the enamel is perfect. If you're going to spend $100's on a piece, you want it to be perfect and to truly last your lifetime.

I heartily recommend this Le Creuset braiser to anyone who loves to cook and wants a piece that highly functional, beautiful, and will stand the test of time!

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Looking for something on the smaller side to replace my tired looking Pyrex and Corning pieces I use for baking a chicken leg or two, I first considered the LeCreuset bakeware. In the long run, I wasn't crazy about the handles and some of the reviews, so I decided that the couple of extra bucks were worth the convenience of stove top to oven should need be. I also bought the SS knob.

I baked two leg quarters (Tex-Mex cheese under the skin) with spinach, beans, and white wine last night and there was more than enough room to spare for two or more pieces. Clean up was a breeze, unlike the Pyrex and Corning, and I'm very pleased with another LeCreuset purchase.

While viewing Sur La Table's online catalogue today I found a 3 quart something sized covered deep saute pan in cassis. I didn't find it listed on Amazon and probably would have purchased it instead of this casserole for two reasons: The pan's cooking surface isn't as large (which is fine when not cooking for a family) and is about $50 less.

I may just pick up one more :) LeCreuset piece!

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This is basically a glorified skillet -but how, how glorified! It's about 12" in diameter and not quite 2" deep without the lid, so I wouldn't use it for anything too soupy or saucy -but for risotto or curries or meats in sauce, it's perfect. Like all Le Creuset, it heats up quickly and holds heat brilliantly, so sauces reduce very quickly and smoothly. The cassis color is more subdued than lots of the other Le Creuset color options -sort of a dusty plum -very pretty. I love it!