Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 2-1/4-Quart Buffet Casserole, Cobalt

Product Description Beautiful enough to bring to the table and durable enough to outlive its 101-year warranty against defects, this heavy casserole is perfect for preparing and ceremoniously serving dishes such as baked pasta, steamed mussels, and cherry cobbler. Use it in the oven or on the stovetop. Made of cast iron, with an exterior and interior clad in two coats of Le Creuset's famous bright enamel, the shapely casserole holds 2-1/4 quarts and measures 2-1/2 inches high without the lid. Cast iron is unexcelled for heat distribution and retention, so this casserole cooks foods evenly and gently at low temperatures without hot spots and is suitable for all heat sources. The plastic knob on its heavy, tight-fitting lid is ovenproof to 450 degrees F. Loop handles make this casserole easy to carry, and the casserole is dishwasher-safe. Like all Le Creuset cast-iron products, it is hand cast in a one-of-a-kind sand mold and hand finished at the Le Creuset factory in France. Amazon.com This 2-1/4-quart Le Creuset buffet casserole is individually sand-cast of rugged cast iron, then clad in two coats of hard, colorful enamel. The result? Cookware so durable it's covered by a lifetime warranty, and so attractive you'll proudly bring it to the table or buffet, where it'll stay hot indefinitely. Cast iron retains and distributes heat evenly, making this round pot with its tight-fitting lid and non-abrasive bottom excellent for braising, simmering, browning, or poaching on any type of stovetop burner. And, because the black phenolic lid knob is oven-safe to 400 degrees, the pot and lid can be used to bake a casserole whose cheesy crust can be browned under the broiler with the lid removed. You can also use the enameled pot for marinating meats and storing leftovers in the refrigerator. The buffet casserole measures 13-1/2 inches from one loop handle to the other, 2-1/2 inches in depth, and weighs 8 pounds. Le Creuset is known for suffusing the exterior of its products with bright, modern colors, while keeping a more neutral tone on the interior to showcase the cuisine. The enamel interior resists cracking and staining and is best cared for when the contents are stirred with nylon, wood, or silicone utensils. It's also so smooth that food particles tend not to stick, making cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher a snap. Made in France, Le Creuset cast-iron cookware is guaranteed to be free of defects for the lifetime of the original owner, whether self-purchased or received as a gift. --Ann Bieri

• 2-1/4-quart buffet casserole made of enameled cast iron
• Cast-iron loop side handles facilitate convenient transport
• Secure-fitting lid with phenolic knob locks in heat, moisture, and flavor
• Hand washing recommended; oven-safe to 350 degrees F
• Measures approximately 10-4/5 by 13-2/5 by 4-3/5 inches; limited lifetime warranty