Aujourd’hui, le quatorze juillet, ma mere m’a donné un petit (petit? bah non…grand!) cadeau. Une cocotte* ovale Le Creuset. Bonne fête à (pour?) moi.
Today, the fourteenth of July, my mom gave me a small (well, not so small … actually pretty large!) gift. A Le Creuset oval French oven (sometimes referred to as a “Dutch oven”). Happy Bastille day to me!
The Le Creuset Outlet near my parents was having a sale on all red enamel cookware, and when my mother called, they even offered to ship this incredibly heavy pot to me for free. It should arrive this weekend. I can’t wait.
For those who are loyal readers of this little project of mine, first off, thank you! Second, you might recall a little complaining that I’ve done about braising meat in a too-big pan without a cover and ending up with some extra, ahem, unintended caramelized crusty bits. I now finally have the right sized pot!
Fear not. The cocotte will be used. Many times.
Merci bien, mommy! Yes, I’m t****-something years old and I still call my mother “mommy.”
* I will adopt the terminology cocotte for my cadeau — much cuter than French or Dutch oven, n’est ce pas? It refers to a casserole or stewpan, but I like how it sounds a bit like coquette — let’s focus on its fun flirty nature, and ignore its insincerity and hope that my little (heavy!) cocotte treats me well.
Post script: the top picture was taken at the port of Nice, near the old city (vieille ville). For those who have asked or who are curious, this is also where my banner picture comes from. Contrary to some who have thought it is a random Caribbean island, it is not. If you walk from the port along the water in the direction of the main beach (towards the Promenade des Anglais), you’ll happen upon this concrete “beach” which I discovered on my last day in Nice and found strangely irresistible for some summer-end reflection and journaling. I’ll probably change my banner to a more foodie-appropriate one at some point, but for me, France — both Paris and Provence — holds special food and life inspiration.
The “unintended caramelized crusty bits” were excellent!
I am looking forward to Z finding a way to recreate
those special bits as a side dish when she uses
her new cooking tool.
Le Creuset outlet?!?!? Be still my heart! I had no idea such a magical thing existed!
Stephen PhD – fear not, I will make sure that the crunchy bits are made somehow!
Laura – I know! Imagine how excited I was to find out about this. Call now — I linked to the phone numbers of the US outlets and they’re having a sale on red stock (and these are first quality, NOT second quality). When my mom called on the 14th, there were a few of the oval cocottes in a few different sizes in Leesburg. Not sure if other outlets are having the same sale, or what…it’s not advertised on their website, so I have NO idea how people find out (maybe you get on a special mailing list after you buy something?). But, I just had to share the love! Happy cooking.
Happy Bastille Day, indeed! What a fabulous gifts. I’m looking forward to reading about the recipes that you make in this lovely piece of cookware.
Le Creuset is a great product. It will not wear out on you. I had one piect that hung around for about thirty years until I treifed it and it went bye bye.
Enjoy yours.
I’m excited for you! I’m still waiting to be gifted with a beauty such as your soon-to-arrive present.
Looking forward to seeing what lovelies you create!
Thanks, Chaya, for the words of encouragement on Le Creuset’s longevity…maybe it’s time for a new one?
Jennifer — I’m indeed lucky for this gift. Can’t wait to share some new recipes.
You’d never have guessed but Le Creuset’s cocottes are made very near my home (12 miles away). I taught in that place for 7 years.
That’s a great cadeau indeed 🙂
Glad you stopped by my blog. Come again!
Wow, today was a day for French visitors! Bienvenue mes copines.
– Ilana Davita – nice to see you again. Wow — a teacher at Le Creuset — I am humbled. Please, share your tips — I can’t wait to break in my cocotte.
– Dolce – Oui, such a wonderful cadeau. I will be sure to visit often — I love to see what Frenchies think of New York, as one of my closest friends is from Paris and I met her when she moved to the UWS.
I picked up a red 5 1/2 qt round dutch oven at the Commerce, CA (Citadel outlets) LC store for $135 plus tax. Normally they’re $220 and up at most retailers (perhaps as low as $180 on ebay, plus shipping sometimes). The mgr says they’re 40% off on all red stock. And they’re firsts! He even added that they wind up being less than his seconds in the other colors.
Felicitations, RC! So happy that I was able to spread the Le Creuset joy. Happy cooking. – Z