I was a very happy recipient of a gorgeous orange-colored Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet last year. A very good friend of mine gave it as a gift since she knew of my passion for using cast iron cookware for cooking. So she gifted me with one of the best-cast iron skillets in the market – a Le Creuset!
This is the Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 11-3/4-Inch Skillet with the dual pour spouts which comes very handy since it is quite heavy for me to lift being a petite lady and all.
Good thing it has a grab handle like the Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned Skillet, which is one of my favorite cast iron skillets. It is also supposedly chip/crack proof to prevent it from reacting to foods. Since I take very good care of my cast iron cookware I doubt I will ever see one with a chip or heaven’s forbid a crack.
It also came with accessories! I told you it was given by a very good friend did I not? So I also got the Le Creuset Silicone Tool Handle Sleeve that you insert over the handle of the Le Creuset skillet. So glad to have it since the handle is integrated and is also made from cast iron – it gets hot pretty quickly as well and you need something to hold it with that won’t burn your hands. So I did a little googling about this pretty red silicone tool handle sleeve I got – I wanted to make sure I really won’t get burned.
And sure enough when I checked – I found out that it is designed to withstand temperatures of up to 482 °F. And that it is also stain-resistant (not too sure about that one) and is dishwasher safe. I tried using on my Lodge Logic Cast Iron Skillet as well – it fits but not as snug as the Le Creuset.
Another item that came with my Le Creuset Enameled skillet was the Le Creuset 12-ounce Enameled Cast Iron Cleaner, which I promptly stored in my cabinet. I have never used it since I learned how to clean my cast iron cookware properly a long time ago.
So it has been several months already and I have cooked several delicious and gorgeous dishes with my Le Creuset skillet, even if I do say so myself J. Here are a few of the things I learned about it. I love its orange color! It comes in different colors so if you are looking to buy one – you can color coordinate it with your other cookware. At least a dozen colors to choose from I think. It also heats up pretty evenly – but I guess you can say that will all cast iron skillets. It works great for stir-frying due to its almost 3-quart capacity – quick mixing in the vegetable ingredients for my Chicken Stir Fry was very easy. There is absolutely no chance of spilling the ingredients on the size due to its size and capacity.
Remember to always use low heat since it retains heat very well which makes it very economical. I normally turn off my gas stove when my dish is cooked half-way. The retained heat is enough to finish cooking my dish. It is also fantastic in the oven! I have used it to make my grandmother’s old fashioned bread pudding recipe. And for finishing my Italian Sausage Meatballs in Red wine. Since it has an enameled coating – the red wine’s acidity is not a problem compared to the traditional cast iron skillets.
What about the cleaning part? Some of you may be wondering about that. The good news is that it is such a joy to clean! After cooking a dish with the Le Creuset Skillet I let it cool down for a while and fill it with warm water and let it soak for 20 minutes. Then I use a non-abrasive sponge or a washcloth to clean the pan up. I know some people just wipe it clean with a paper or kitchen towel but I prefer to use warm soapy water to clean my cast iron skillets.
Also Read:
- Best Oil For Seasoning Cast Iron Cookware
- What is so Great About a Cast Iron Skillet?!
- Le Creuset Cookware 9 and 12 Prices Reviews
- Le Creuset Signature Round Review
So what is my recommendation? I say the Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 11-3/4-Inch Skillet is a great cast iron skillet and is worth every penny. Its enameled coating makes it the perfect choice if your cooking repertoire uses a lot of acidic ingredients like red wine and fresh tomato-based recipes. Better yet – find a friend that would be willing to give you one as a gift .
