Cook It in Your Dutch Oven: 150 Foolproof Recipes Tailor-Made for Your Kitchen's Most Versatile Pot

by America's Test Kitchen (Editor)

A Dutch oven is more than just another pot. It's the most versatile pot in your kitchen. It's a soup pot, a deep fryer, a braiser, a roaster, an enclosed bread oven, and the perfect vessel for one-dish meals. Let America's Test Kitchen help you make the most of yours with an abundance of creative and approachable recipes tailored to these all-in-one pots.

Many home cooks own a Dutch oven, but often these prized pots get relegated to the back of the cabinet, to be pulled out only for making stews. Learn how you can put your Dutch oven to work every day in so many different ways. Make it your go-to for weeknight meals with practical yet fun recipes like Shiitake Mushroom Ramen, Easy Chicken Tacos, and Lamb Meatballs with Herbed Orzo Pilaf. Impressive roasts and braises like Chicken Bouillabaise and Roast Beef Sirloin with Caramelized Carrots and Potatoes go seamlessly from stovetop (the enameled surface is perfect for creating fond without burning) to oven (the cast iron maintains steady heat to ensure food cooks perfectly). We'll even walk you through deep frying at home, step-by-step, so you can make perfect Korean Fried Chicken Wings and pub-style Fish and Chips. Plus, a Dutch oven can turn you into an artisanal bread baker overnight (the humid, closed environment produces loaves sporting an airy interior and shatteringly crisp crust). And a range of appealing desserts, from Pear-Ginger Crisp to Bourbon-Brown Sugar Poached Peaches, benefit from the Dutch oven's high sides and even heating.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Reference, Food and Drink, Adult

328 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2018

About the author

America's Test Kitchen, based in a brand new state-of-the-art 60,000 sq. ft. facility with over 15,000 sq. ft. of test kitchens and studio space, in Boston's Seaport District, is dedicated to finding the very best recipes for home cooks. Over 50 full-time (admittedly obsessive) test cooks spend their days testing recipes 30, 40, up to 100 times, tweaking every variable until they understand how and why recipes work. They also test cookware and supermarket ingredients so viewers can bypass marketing hype and buy the best quality products. As the home of Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country magazines, and publisher of more than one dozen cookbooks each year, America's Test Kitchen has earned the respect of the publishing industry, the culinary world, and millions of home cooks. America's Test Kitchen the television show launched in 2001, and the company added a second television program, Cook's Country, in 2008.

Discover, learn, and expand your cooking repertoire with Julia Collin Davison, Bridget Lancaster, Jack Bishop, Dan Souza, Lisa McManus, Tucker Shaw, Bryan Roof, and our fabulous team of test cooks!

Learn more at https://www.americastestkitchen.com/.

Reviews

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

America's Test Kitchen so you know it's filled w great recipes, clear directions and stunning photos.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's from America's Test Kitchen. You know there will be good instruction, photos, recipes, and tips from their product testing. Your book for one pot wonder dishes from main dishes, soups, and desserts.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm gonna need to own this.

[Telisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was given both this book and a Dutch Oven for Christmas. Have already used them both 3 times and am in love!
This book does not disappoint, it holds both great recipes as well as the pro tips of WHY they work so well in a dutch oven.
Even better at the beginning of the book, they go through all different types of Dutch ovens and how they performed so you can change your cooking times to work the best for your model.
Love that they did so much groundwork, cooking the recipes over and over again in different models and different recipes to find the very best ones.
Is sure to become a much loved and used recipe book.

[James Tomasino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fantastic recipes in here that really show off the creativity of a Dutch oven. You know you're in for something special when a recipe calls for flipping the lid upside down.

The into has a nice guide to Dutch ovens as well. Glad I picked it up from the library. Many note cards have been filled!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, obvs.

[Amanda Knox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cookbook has some great recipes (especially for cooler weather) but as a vegetarian I don't think I'll be able to use more than one or two of them.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, like all of the other newer America's Test Kitchen books I've been drooling over lately, this was just such a fun book to look through. Recipes on one page. Full color pictures of each recipe. Nice glossy paper. Easy to follow instructions and ingredient lists. Some of my favs? Roast Chicken with Cranberry-Walnut Stuffing, Slow-Roasted Chuck Roast with Horseradish-Sour Cream Sauce, Roasted Pork Loin with Barley Butternut Squash, and Swiss Chard, Braised Asparagus, Peas, and Radishes with Tarragon, Weeknight Carrots and parsnips with Dried Cranberries, and Bourbon-Pecan Bread Pudding. Who knew I could do all of this in my one giant dutch oven? So happy!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not great. Only saved 15 recipes that uniquely stood out as must-makes: Couscous Risotto with Chicken and Spinach, Beef Enchilada Casserole, Steamed Cheeseburgers, Latin American Pork and Rice, Italian Sausages with White Beans and Kale, Cheese and Tomato Lasagne, Quick Beef & Barley Soup, West African Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup, Hearty Minestrone, US Senate Navy Bean Soup, Best Chicken Stew, Pumpkin Turkey Chile, Roasted Pork Loin with Barley, Butternut Squash and Swiss Chard, Drunken Beans.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookbooks by America's Test Kitchen are always good, clear, and helpful. This one's no exception, although it leans a bit heavy on the international cuisine, which is a good way to get a lot of different flavor profiles in their array of recipes but not quite as useful to my household, raised on mid-century American with a heavy dose of Southern. However, there is a large selection of recipes which will fit well in my slice of the universe, but will also make me think of using my dutch oven for more than it has been used for in recent years!

[Eric Mesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some pretty awesome recipes that I can't wait to try and one I've already tried. While not as full of photos as their Illustrated line of cookcooks, it's still got a lot of great photos to showcase what your finished dishes should look like. It's also got the signature America's Test Kitchen recipes that tell you why the recipe works as well as where they've taken shortcuts that make it easier to cook without sacrificing on taste.

They've got dishes for every season and occasion, but I can't wait to try their braises this winter as that's one category of dishes I haven't yet gained much experience with.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don't give cookbooks five stars because I usually only find one or two recipes I actually enjoy in each book, but America's Test Kitchen really outdid themselves this time. I've tried about half of the recipes in here so far, and they've all been really solid. If you love yourself, take an hour and make the couscous risotto with chicken and spinach. I've made it twice in the past week and a half. The second time, I tried a vegetarian variation with veggie stock/mushrooms- heavenly. You definitely won't regret picking this one up.

[Patricia Romero · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it was not for my french oven, we would never eat. When I saw this at my library, I grabbed it at the same time my boyfriend did.

There is a ton of information about french/dutch ovens along with the best way to care for them.

The recipes are very easy, with not a lot of complicated ingredients. So far we have tried 3 of them and we are working our way through the book now that it's Fall/Winter. The soups and stews are just right!

Great Job!

[Manintheboat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was America's Test Kitchen.
I hate America's Test Kitchen because nearly every recipe is, "We replaced the kaffir lime leaves with lime juice..."
You made something else Karen. You didn't make Thai Green Curry. You made some lazy diluted "inspired" white people version, call it something else.

If you actually want to learn to use your dutch oven, go read Modernist Cuisine. You can order each volume individually from the library.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watched an episode of America’s Test Kitchen featuring this book. Checked the book out from the library. Bought the cook book a week later with the plan to try a different recipe every Sunday. Made eight of the recipes so far and have loved them all. I like how they explain why the ingredients work is a recipe and the exacted step by strep directions. The ingredients are not so exotic that you can’t find them locally.

[JANET · Rating 2 out of 5]

All my dutch ovens are stainless steel and I am not buying new pans. Also not buying the one-time use ingredients in these recipes. However, anyone who knows a little bit about cooking and is not afraid to try without the perfections detailed in these recipes should be able to improvise with more common ingredients using different pans with similar results. Don't let them fool you, it can be done. Make your own test kitchen! Two stars for descriptions, photos, and ideas.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love my Dutch oven and it really is probably the most versatile kitchen item I own. I already use it all the time, but there were lots of really great recipe ideas in here. Everything from one pot meals to desserts and everything in between. If you're looking to utilize your Dutch oven more or just want some new recipe ideas this is a great cookbook.

[Alanna Husch · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first introduction to America’s test kitchen, this is a terrific book. Information about different makes and models of Dutch ovens as well as price comparisons, plus how to care for them. The recipes are varied and strive to use only the one pot for both main and sides. Pleased that there is a separate section for baking breads as well.

[Meggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In great America’s Test Kitchen fashion, I learned so much about what I can do with my Dutch oven in this cookbook. The header notes are fun to read, full of information and enticing. The recipes are fairly involved and time consuming, but those I have tried were worth the effort. I’d probably try about 75% of the recipes.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great cookbook. How could you look at the cover and think otherwise? I am making Beef Bolognese stat! I like that it compares Dutch Ovens so a beginner can make a wise choice. I only wish I had this book a few weeks ago before I bought my dutch oven. Cleaning tips are also provided. I have bookmarked quite a few recipes and will begin using my Dutch Oven with confidence!

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a Dutch Oven or are wondering what could you even make in one, this is a delicious and easy place to start and to find recipes you will go back to again and again!

My favourites are:

Beef Enchilada Casserole
Latin American Pork and Rice
Chicken and Ramen Soup*
Portuguese Beef Stew
Irish Lamb Stew
Roasted Poblano and White Bean Chili*
Texas Chicken-Fried Steaks

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The directions in this cookbook are exceptionally clear, and the introduction for each recipe explains why each step is important for the flavor of the final dish. Every recipe I have tried has turned out beautifully, and my family has loved them. I've learned some new cooking techniques and am trying these on some family-favorite recipes that I had not previously tried cooking in my Dutch oven.

[Reina Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this from the library, but this would be one I'd consider buying if I wasn't mostly vegetarian. If you eat like an omnivore and have a Dutch oven, this is worth checking out. I've made the lasagna, the creamy sundried tomato pasta, and the chocolate molten lava cake and all were delicious and teenager-approved. Will be checking it out again, as I want to try some of the breads.

[Carm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think there were enough recipes i wanted to make in this book. Paella is a good dish for the dutch oven but i prefer making it in the slow cooker. There are a lot of big cuts of meat recipes which i no longer make due to cost and preference. Other recipes like for black bean soup i would also prefer to put in the slow cooker.

[Dux [My week is Booked] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know you could deep fry in the Dutch oven so that was cool. I also really liked the breakdown in the beginning of the types of crock pots and what makes one better than another.
Shout out to the section on cleaning off the light enamel, and to the huge molten lava cake.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute essential for anyone wanting to learn or update tgeir dutch oven skills. Everything is flavorful and directions are easy to understand. I have cooked a week's worth of recipes but havd not tried dessert or bread baking. Will try and update my rating if it changes.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid cookbook but does suffer from the classic equipment-focused-cookbook bloat as some of the recipes just feel like they'd be better off doing a more traditional way. Still though, I do find myself pulling it out from time to time.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I owned a Dutch oven, this cookbook may be more relevant to me, but I don't! Many of these recipes look great (love the pictures), but so many of these could just be prepared in a regular oven. I'm looking forward to making the U.S. Senate Navy Bean Soup.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great recipes. Also, they love to use the word "nestle". I found that amusing.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be purchasing this cookbook.