What to cook in a cocotte (cast iron pot)? ¡5 recipes for you!

The kitchen of our childhood has made a strong comeback in recent years. And it is because we are increasingly aware that health starts with good eating. A great way to do this is to use the cocotte, a Dutch oven ideal for slow cooking. Do you want to cook in it but don't know how? We give you 5 recipes in cocotte that are worth trying.

Why choose to cook in a cocotte or Dutch oven?

The cocotte is a typical Dutch iron pot that allows you to prepare traditional slow-cooked dishes, such as stews and roasts, just like in the old days. Furthermore, thanks to its material, iron, you can even use it as a real oven. It's ideal if you want to bake a cake or cookies and don't have an oven, or if you find yourself in the countryside, for example.

Moreover, they are pots for a lifetime, as they do not deform or burn, and food doesn't stick to them. And, as if that weren't enough, you can use them on gas or electric stoves, whether ceramic or induction.

Do you think that with so many advantages they are not affordable for everyone? You're wrong. You can find them of top quality and at a very reasonable price.

5 Winter Recipes in cocotte (cast iron casseroles)

Do you want the best recipes in cocotte to surprise yourself and others? We give you 5 ideas of dishes cooked with the same flavor as dishes from the past:

Beef, potato, and mushroom stew

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kilo of beef in chunks
• 200 grams of mushrooms
• 2 large potatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 1 tomato
• 1 red pepper
• 1 beef stock cube
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• A pinch of paprika from La Vera
• A teaspoon of curry
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 glass of white wine
• A couple of tablespoons of soy sauce (optional)

Method of preparation:

1. To start, peel and cut all the vegetables into medium pieces.
2. Put them together with the meat and spices in your pot with a good splash of olive oil.
3. Sauté over medium heat until the meat is golden brown.
4. Add the water and the wine and let simmer until the meat is tender.
5. You can accompany it with cooked rice sautéed with some garlic and a bit of soy sauce.

Marmitako (yes to blue fish stew!)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kilo of bonito in chunks
• 3 large potatoes
• 1 green pepper
• 1 small tomato
• 1 onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons of sweet paprika
• 1 fish stock cube
• 1/2 glass of white wine
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt

Preparation method:

1. The first thing you need to do is cut the vegetables into julienne strips and the potatoes into wedges.
2. Put a little extra virgin olive oil in your iron pot and add the vegetables. Sauté them over low heat.
3. Add the tuna and lightly brown it. Add the potatoes and spices.
4. Cover the stew with water and add the white wine halfway through cooking.
5. Let it cook until the potatoes are tender and the broth has reduced.
6. It is ideal accompanied by some poor man's potatoes.

Stewed chicken with vegetables and rice

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kilo of chicken fillets or chicken thighs
• 1 glass of rice
• 1 green pepper
• 1 red pepper
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 4-5 green beans
• 2 artichokes
• 1 carrot
• Food coloring
• A few strands of saffron
• 1 bay leaf
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 chicken broth cube
• Extra virgin olive oil

Method of preparation:

1. Cut the chicken into pieces and the vegetables into small pieces. Clean the artichokes and cut them into 4 pieces.
2. Put a splash of olive oil in your cast iron pot and fry the chicken with the spices until it is golden and well cooked.
3. Remove the meat from the pot and add all the vegetables. When they are softened, add the chicken back and give it a couple of stirs.
4. Add the rice, give it a few stirs and add the water and the broth cube. Let it cook for about 15 minutes.

Stewed squid with potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 kilogram of squid
• 1 kilogram of prawns
• 2 large potatoes
• 1 large onion
• 1/2 glass of white wine
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Food coloring
• A few strands of saffron
• Salt

Method of preparation:

1. Clean the squid and prawns and cut them into slices.
2. Peel and chop the onion into pieces and slice the garlic. Peel the potatoes and cut them into wedges.
3. Put in your cocotte a good splash of olive oil and add the onion, garlic, bay leaf, and the two cloves.
4. Add the squid, the prawns and sauté them for a few seconds. Incorporate the coloring, saffron, water, and wine.
5. Let it cook until the squid is tender.
6. This dish is so complete that it doesn't need any garnish.

 

Homemade bread in an iron pot. Easy and delicious!

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of strong flour
• 500 grams of rye flour
• 500 grams of water (approximately)
• 25 grams of fresh yeast
• Some raisins (optional)
• Some walnuts (optional)
• A teaspoon of white sugar, brown sugar, or honey (optional)
• Salt to taste

Method of preparation:

1. Mix all the ingredients except the walnuts and raisins.
2. Knead until you get a dough that does not stick to your hands. You can use a kitchen kneader to make this process faster.
3. Add the walnuts, raisins, and sugar. Knead again.
4. Make a ball, place it in a bowl and cover it with a cloth.
5. Let it rest until it doubles in size.
6. Put your dough in the cocotte and let it bake until the bread is ready. Let it rest until it cools down.

What are you waiting for to try these delicious recipes in cocotte? Become a cooking enthusiast thanks to your Dutch oven!