Celebrating My Le Creuset “Memory” for almost 50 Years
August 2, 2010 in Kitchen Talk by anne-vanarsdall
My bright orange Le Creuset casserole was brand new when I bought it in Durham, NC in 1968, primarily for recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking, vol. 1, that called for such a versatile, heavy pot. The book was a Christmas gift in 1967 and the pot was a well-considered expense the spring after that; it was pretty expensive for us then. But I had to have it. My friends and I, all young stay-at-home mothers of small children whose husbands were Duke University, had a cooking club and we faithfully watched Julia Child on TV every week and tried to emulate the way she cooked. We’d pool our efforts and have gourmet dinners once a month. The pot has been part of my life ever since and is essential to certain recipes of my own (a version of Hungarian goulasch for one) as well as Julia’s (coq au vin in particular). Now, in 2010, it’s being used regularly here in New Mexico—great for green chile stew—and to cook for grandchildren when they come to visit. The pot is still bright orange—with a few added touches on the outside from years of cooking—and remains the only cooking pot I would keep if I had to banish all but one. It was such a boon to my kitchen over the years that I gave both my sons the same size Creuset casserole as a wedding gift, and the cooking tradition continues in their households.
Anne Van Arsdall
Albuquerque, New Mexico
This is why I always spend more and get exactly what I want of the best quality. Like pairs of shoes, when it comes to kitchen ware, it’s better to have fewer but higher quality pieces.
Right now I’m making due with a Dutch Oven from Lodge which functions perfectly well but doesn’t come in very interesting colors.
I’m glad I waited though, because now that Cassis is available from Le Creuset, I can’t put it off any longer and am saving my spare change to take the sting off a little (though, like you, I know in 20 years time I’ll be enjoying the pot long after the initial sticker shock — especially in the current economy — wears off).
Thanks for your sharing.
When the movie “Julia” came out, featuring the life of one of most iconic cooks of our time, Julia Childs, my 15 year daughter and I were drawn to her now famous beef bougione. (sorry for the spelling). Every time I see your beautiful La Creuset casserole I am drawn to the kitchen for the version my daughter and I have adapted with wild mushrooms, stock from my own grown herbs and fresh beef stock made out of our favorite cut of meet, prime rib bones. My home is very colorful, with bright hues of red and many versions of yellow. Any color I may be awarded will do, it is the passing down through generations, thanks to the quality of your products that I look most forward too.
Besides serving dinner’s with your beautiful cookware!
Robert,
Good luck getting your Cassis, I hope the day comes soon when you get your first piece! I saw your post on Facebook too, seems like you should get a piece of lilac mist to go with the Cassis!
Trisha,
Your adapted recipe sounds delicious! Can you share it with all of us by posting it in our recipe section here on the site? I would love to try and make that! Also, you should enter the story of you and your daughter cooking together for the “True Memories” contest if you haven’t already – http://truelecreuset.com/community/memories. If you have which entry are you, I want to go vote for you!?
Thanks for your comments guys, I love how one great Le Creuset story spurs more great conversations!
Erin
Seeing where you were asking for memories of Le Creuset cooks, is bringing back fond memories of my Aunt Bernice! She was a fabulous cook! Aunt Bernice LOVED her Le Creuset Dutch Oven! She told everyone the secret to her roasts, stews, and chicken dishes was her Le Creuset cooking pots. Everytime we went shopping she would have to make a trip into Williams and Sonoma to feel the pots and admire the beautiful colors they come in now! Yes, she also commented on how much they cost. But…in her words, “They are worth every dime to get that flavor!” Aunt Bernice recently was killed in an automobile crash. I do miss our shopping trips and her bragging and telling me her cooking “secrets”.
I’m afraid I don’t have a Le Creuset memory to submit–however, if I win this beautiful cookware, I will immediately begin creating memories for another generation.
I used to be drawn to the Le Crueset outlet in Burlington. While I knew I couldn’t afford the mainstream Le Crueset stuff, sometimes I could afford a small pot in last year’s colors.
Still mostly can’t afford the pots, but one day….
The first real piece of cookware I received was a 13qt Black French Pot, it got it for Christmas when I was 13 or 14. I got it because that that Jeff Smith said I should buy and I love it as much today as I did 25 years ago
I worked in an independent kitchen ware store in the mid 1970’s. Looking back, it truly was my dream job. I was surrounded by the tools of the kitchen and as a bonus was allowed to purchase anything in the store at a discount. 40 years later, I still have most, if not all the items I purchased. Along with my set of knives, my most prized possession is my 4 qt. flame buffet casserole. It stays on the stove awaiting each nightly meal. I’ve even taken it on camping trips and stays at beach rental cottages. It’s my go to pan for everything from eggs to green chili stew.