Casserole
dishes are a staple cookware component for millions of household kitchens.
Being able to slow cook something in the oven leaves you free to get on with
preparing for your dinner date or playing with the children, safe in the
knowledge that dinner is taken care of.
When it comes to buying a casserole dish there is a wealth of choice. Nowadays casserole dishes come in a variety of beautiful colours, shapes and sizes. However, there are certain factors that you need to take into consideration to make sure that you're buying the right one for you.
Size and shape
Before you buy a casserole dish think about what you actually want to cook in it. It might sound obvious but if you use the wrong size dish you can end up with a very unappetising outcome.
For instance, round dishes are the best choice for cooking the more liquid based meals such as stews or soups, whereas if you like your Sunday lunches pot-roasted then an oval shaped dish is better equipped for large whole pieces of meat.
When it comes to what size to buy, bigger is actually better. Take into consideration how many people the meal will usually be for, and therefore how much space the ingredients will take up.
Air needs to be able to circulate around the food whilst cooking. Too much space will just let the food dry out; however, too little space at the top of your dish means that you need to use a larger one as it will overflow whilst in the oven.
Weight and build
Enamelled cast iron dishes are generally thought to be the best. Their versatility means that you can start cooking a meal on the stove, transfer it to the oven and then be confident that they look attractive enough to serve straight out of at the dining table.
There are ceramic and stainless steel options as well, however enamelled cast iron is worth its more expensive price tag. Its enamelled coating means that it is not prone to rust and also gives it an excellent even distribution of heat.
The weight of a dish is just as important as its size and build. Heavy dishes allow meat to be browned quickly on the stove before going into the oven. A good thick base on a heavy dish will allow air to circulate fully, preventing any juices from drying out and ultimately ensuring that food is cooked evenly throughout.
When it comes to buying a casserole dish there is a wealth of choice. Nowadays casserole dishes come in a variety of beautiful colours, shapes and sizes. However, there are certain factors that you need to take into consideration to make sure that you're buying the right one for you.
Size and shape
Before you buy a casserole dish think about what you actually want to cook in it. It might sound obvious but if you use the wrong size dish you can end up with a very unappetising outcome.
For instance, round dishes are the best choice for cooking the more liquid based meals such as stews or soups, whereas if you like your Sunday lunches pot-roasted then an oval shaped dish is better equipped for large whole pieces of meat.
When it comes to what size to buy, bigger is actually better. Take into consideration how many people the meal will usually be for, and therefore how much space the ingredients will take up.
Air needs to be able to circulate around the food whilst cooking. Too much space will just let the food dry out; however, too little space at the top of your dish means that you need to use a larger one as it will overflow whilst in the oven.
Weight and build
Enamelled cast iron dishes are generally thought to be the best. Their versatility means that you can start cooking a meal on the stove, transfer it to the oven and then be confident that they look attractive enough to serve straight out of at the dining table.
There are ceramic and stainless steel options as well, however enamelled cast iron is worth its more expensive price tag. Its enamelled coating means that it is not prone to rust and also gives it an excellent even distribution of heat.
The weight of a dish is just as important as its size and build. Heavy dishes allow meat to be browned quickly on the stove before going into the oven. A good thick base on a heavy dish will allow air to circulate fully, preventing any juices from drying out and ultimately ensuring that food is cooked evenly throughout.
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