Creative Casserole Cooking In Chasseur Enameled Cast Iron

What is the first thought to enter your mind when someone says "casserole"? If you are an American, it is probably a delicious memory of Thanksgiving Day and traditional "Green Bean Casserole!" Or perhaps your idea of a casserole is associated with mom using up the leftovers to pull together a dinner for the family? Often these creations were given special names, like "Aunt Mary's Forgotten Chicken" or "Crispy, Crusty Noodles and Cheese" and actually became family favorites. With the wide array of beautiful Enameled Cast Iron Casserole Dishes available the possibilities for your own creations are endless!

A "casserole" has two different meanings. First, it is usually considered to be any combination of ingredients, usually including a broth, sauce, cheese or cream to hold everything together. Often they include crumbs on top, and then are baked covered, or uncovered in the oven. Second, it is also the name of the piece of cookware it is cooked in! The word "casserole" has a French origin and probably came about during the 18th century. In the United States, casserole cooking became very popular in the 1950's as a way to prepare a nutritious meal in one dish, and relieve women of kitchen drudgery. Even today, Americans still love a one dish meal, and the casserole has had endless adaptations to it, in order to achieve any or all of the following;

One-dish meals save on the number of dishes which must be washed.
Casseroles can be made in advance, refrigerated or frozen for easy heat-up at a later time.
They require little attention once they are placed into the oven.
Casseroles can be kept warm and attractive at the dinner table or on the serving buffet, until all are present and ready to eat.
Cooking the whole meal in one dish frees up the oven for other things, such as baking a dessert.

The beauty of the Chasseur Enameled Cast Iron Casserole dishes is not only in the gorgeous colors they are offered in, but also in the variety of shapes and sizes they are available in. Whether you need to make a breakfast casserole for fifteen on Christmas morning or a small appetizer type casserole for your card club, there is a casserole dish just the right size and shape that you would feel proud to serve from. The slow and even heating of these casseroles will give you results which will delight you. They are also easy to clean and elegant in their colorful appearance.

Here is a helpful trick for preparing your favorite casserole recipe to be frozen and enjoyed at a later time. Begin by lining your casserole dish with tin foil, leaving plenty to overhang for later wrapping and sealing of the casserole. Add your ingredients to the foil-lined pan, and either freeze the casserole now, or bake, cool and then freeze. Once the casserole is frozen, lift it out of the dish by the overhanging foil. Use the foil to wrap it tightly. You may then place it in a freezer bag, labeled and dated. Most casseroles should be used within two months of the date they were prepared. When ready to enjoy your casserole, you can thaw and cook it in the original cooking pan. To thaw, place the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. The other alternative, place in oven frozen and bake it at 350 for about double the original cooking time. Use a sharp knife inserted in the center to check for doneness. What an easy way to stock your freezer with delicious homemade meals.

Browse a wide selection of Enameled Cast Iron Casseroles at Your Smart Kitchen. The online location for quality cookware, bakeware, cutlery, appliances and related kitchenware. Quality products at reasonable prices with customer satisfaction guaranteed.

Specializing in Paderno, Mauviel, Chasseur, Fissler, Swiss Diamond, Romertopf, Kaiser, DeLonghi and other quality brands.

Terry Retter

Editor, http://ChefWannabee.com

Thanks To : le creuset enameled cast iron 9 quart round french