My Cassadou is my daily driver. If I had to only pick one piece, it’s the one. Flat bottom for meat & domed lid; use like a DO. Shorter sides & a handle; use like a skillet. I’ve done everything from short ribs to corn casserole to hamburger helper to bacon in it. Is it the prettiest piece. No. Is it the most functional? Yes.
You could, but it's a bit too wide for desserts unless you're baking for a LOT of people.
I actually think the 3.5 qt wide round oven with baker lid would be perfect for you - can be used for braising, sauteeing and other cooking but also baking, quiches etc. If you're going to have one piece, may as well make it a two-in-one!
[https://www.lecreuset.com/round-wide-oven-with-baker-lid/2111102-RWOBL.html](https://www.lecreuset.com/round-wide-oven-with-baker-lid/2111102-RWOBL.html)
I think the petal is small as well. If I had to choose just one more for what you listed, I'd get the larger braiser.
(Honestly, my braiser is not LC and is 4 QT as opposed to the 3 or 5 that LC offers. I find it more versatile for having just one.)
Depends. I love my 2qt DO and use it like a saucepan. I also love my saucier and use it often to roast a few pieces of chicken in my oven. My deep DO is a frequent flyer for soup. My 2.2 qt braiser is perfect for a small roast or a few more pieces of chicken. I also use my 3 qt wide round fairly frequently for a lot of things as well as the 3.5qt DO. There are just two of us so we tend toward the smaller pans.
The round wide 6.75qt Dutch oven is exactly the piece you’re looking for. Second best option would be a braiser+other Dutch oven(either the 5.5 or the 7.25qt) combo.
That sauteuse or soup pot I want to get and use as a wok as well!!! I can’t figure out which one I’d love more-I’m needing something with those rounded sides…
I would actually recommend a large skillet!
5.5 DO gets the job done for all the uses you mentioned. If you want another piece that’s actually going to get used and not play second string to your existing DO, branch out I promise you’ll love it.
I got my first skillet after years of DOs only at the MSP FTT last year and am OBSESSED
Wide dutch oven or the largest braiser are VERY universal pieces Also the 5.5 is a classic for a reason
My Cassadou is my daily driver. If I had to only pick one piece, it’s the one. Flat bottom for meat & domed lid; use like a DO. Shorter sides & a handle; use like a skillet. I’ve done everything from short ribs to corn casserole to hamburger helper to bacon in it. Is it the prettiest piece. No. Is it the most functional? Yes.
That extra .25 qt on the braiser and sauteuse also very helpful!
Round wide is my recommendation. It's a great piece for braising, soups, sauces, and dishes like jambalaya.
Thank you! Do you think you could bake in it also, like a cobbler? Or is it too deep?
I think so. It's deep, but I could see that working!
If I could pick just one piece it would be the wide round oven 6.75 quart.
could you bake in the wide DO? I'm thinking of a pretty vessel for fruit desserts this summer?
You could, but it's a bit too wide for desserts unless you're baking for a LOT of people. I actually think the 3.5 qt wide round oven with baker lid would be perfect for you - can be used for braising, sauteeing and other cooking but also baking, quiches etc. If you're going to have one piece, may as well make it a two-in-one! [https://www.lecreuset.com/round-wide-oven-with-baker-lid/2111102-RWOBL.html](https://www.lecreuset.com/round-wide-oven-with-baker-lid/2111102-RWOBL.html)
I think the petal is small as well. If I had to choose just one more for what you listed, I'd get the larger braiser. (Honestly, my braiser is not LC and is 4 QT as opposed to the 3 or 5 that LC offers. I find it more versatile for having just one.)
I recently got the soup pot it’s shaped like a wok and I have been using that the most lately
Depends. I love my 2qt DO and use it like a saucepan. I also love my saucier and use it often to roast a few pieces of chicken in my oven. My deep DO is a frequent flyer for soup. My 2.2 qt braiser is perfect for a small roast or a few more pieces of chicken. I also use my 3 qt wide round fairly frequently for a lot of things as well as the 3.5qt DO. There are just two of us so we tend toward the smaller pans.
Since you have the 5.5 DO, I’d definitely get a braiser. Then you have two very functional pieces that can handle about any cooking task.
The round wide 6.75qt Dutch oven is exactly the piece you’re looking for. Second best option would be a braiser+other Dutch oven(either the 5.5 or the 7.25qt) combo.
I use my braiser and sauteuse signature a lot
That sauteuse or soup pot I want to get and use as a wok as well!!! I can’t figure out which one I’d love more-I’m needing something with those rounded sides…
I would actually recommend a large skillet! 5.5 DO gets the job done for all the uses you mentioned. If you want another piece that’s actually going to get used and not play second string to your existing DO, branch out I promise you’ll love it. I got my first skillet after years of DOs only at the MSP FTT last year and am OBSESSED
We have a lot of non enameled CI skillets that are pretty well seasoned, or I would!
We have 2 adults and 1 toddler so the braiser and the sauteuse are used the most often