Okay, just kidding, but I did an unusual thing for me - I went out to look at dutch ovens this weekend, looking for one highly recommended by Cooks Illustrated, that also happened to be only $50 at Target. They did not have it, of course, so stopped by a cooking store to look.
Well, I did it - bought an almost $300 Staub dutch oven. It's beautiful - a pretty red, and it's big, and oh so French looking.
Well, now let me preface the following with the fact that my hubby would never question my sense in a purchase - I am the most frugal person in this family, hands down, and never make impulse purchases.
But he said, with curiousity, "now, what does this do differently from the other big pans we've cooked fabulously in for years now? How does it compare to the crockpot, and how great those stews/chilis/whatever come out?" I said, "um, it is WAY prettier, see? And it cooks better too!"
But deep in my heart, I thought, I'm sure this is a great purchase, but he's right - is this really better than the cheap-o ones? And then I thought, I know, I'll ask all of those people who are experts in the field on C&H bulletin board! SO, folks, what is the benefit of a really nice (and expensive) new dutch oven that I will soon realize? What should I try first, and second in this beauty?
Well, I did it - bought an almost $300 Staub dutch oven. It's beautiful - a pretty red, and it's big, and oh so French looking.
Well, now let me preface the following with the fact that my hubby would never question my sense in a purchase - I am the most frugal person in this family, hands down, and never make impulse purchases.
But he said, with curiousity, "now, what does this do differently from the other big pans we've cooked fabulously in for years now? How does it compare to the crockpot, and how great those stews/chilis/whatever come out?" I said, "um, it is WAY prettier, see? And it cooks better too!"
But deep in my heart, I thought, I'm sure this is a great purchase, but he's right - is this really better than the cheap-o ones? And then I thought, I know, I'll ask all of those people who are experts in the field on C&H bulletin board! SO, folks, what is the benefit of a really nice (and expensive) new dutch oven that I will soon realize? What should I try first, and second in this beauty?