It’s one of the commandments. The ones that most people remember. I was watching this cooking show on TV. Why, I have no idea. I like cooking shows, but I don’t tune in. It must have been while I was waiting for my show to come on. Whatever show that was. Anyway. The wonderfully voluptuous Italian woman was preparing some sort of fresh pasta dish and it was the first time I’d seen a porcelain covered cast iron pot in action. I was mesmerized. It was beautiful. BEE.YOO.TI.FUL. And I began to covet. What a great pot. A great everything pot. I’m all about the everything pot. So. I Googled. But I could not find it. I found something similar, but not the same.
This is by Staub, and it’s called a bouillabaisse pot. It has a volume of about 5 qts. And a price tag of about $200. TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS?!! For heaven’s sake! Good Lawwwwwd, that’s some crazy talkin’ crazy money. Mercy sakes alive, child! And the one she had was bigger, more mesmerizingly blue (with gradation, swoon). I mean it. It was a beautiful piece of kitchen ware. It’s that shape, that most captured my attention. That, the volume, and the beautiful white interior in contrast with the jeweled exterior. I fancied one in chartreuse.
I found this. This is made by Lodge. Whimsical on the ragged edge of tacky, but I like it. Also about 5 qts. Also about $200. TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS?!! Other bloggers I enjoy reading might say WTF, but I, I don’t use those words. But if I did, this would be an opportunity. (Even the abbreviation is making my ears turn red. I’m that tender about certain colorful words.) As usual, I digress.
This is made by Innova. The cheap rendition. It can be found for $40. I’ve read good reviews and bad reviews. I’m trying to figure out how it compares to Le Creuset and company. Some say well. Some say not well. I suspect it’s every bit as functional. It’s now gracing my stove. But it’s not nearly as beautiful as the original coveted piece. That shape. Sigh. Those colors. Sigh. Are they worth $160 (or more) more I could never justify such an expense. And, of course, it’s doubtful that I will be performing as fantastic works of culinary art as those I witnessed on TV. I’m sure this piece will suit me just fine. It’s quite gorgeous if it’s not being compared to the others. Sigh.
5 Responses to “Thou shalt not covet”
I think you mean Le Creuset
http://www.lecreuset.com/usa/shopping/buyonline.php
and, who could blame you
Covet away! Sigh…..the Le Creuset lime is heavenly. My only real estate sale score was a 5-qt-ish sized soup pot in classic “Le Creuset” flame…the one that fades from orange to deep tangerine/red. Lightly used at the sale, it was $25 I think about 12 years ago. Snapped that one up. It is now well used! Among soups, stews and other stuff, I make jam in it by the quart-load every summer (think 36 pints of strawberry jam in two days…..I’m praying it will last until next June, when we get to pick berries and do it all over again). I make the low-sugar kind that tastes like berries, not just sweet…yummm….the kids lvoe it too.
Anyway, think of it as a lifetime investment, because the pots will last that long. You only need ONE! Teehee (aren’t I being wicked tonight )
Cheers, Sarah
I have three blue Le Creuset bits … a frypan, a small saucepan with wooden handle, and a large oval pot. They were all wedding gifts, and everyone knew I had a blue kitchen …! They are fabulous. But ridiculously expensive.
I have the oval and the round Le Creuset dutch ovens in black and blue and until I saw that little fishy handly I thought they were my heart’s desire.
Now I know better.
I may never be happy again.
