Why every household needs a casserole dish

As summer comes to an end and the days grow shorter, brisker and (above all) a little chillier, most families will turn to the casserole dish to keep delicious and seasonal food on the table. In fact, thanks to the casserole dish, you can wave goodbye to summer with a happy heart, safe in the knowledge that the season of mouthwatering stews, soups, chillis and casseroles has FINALLY arrived.

There’s a saying that a good man is hard to find; the same could be said of a good casserole dish. Essential for diffusing the heat, combining flavours and cooking the food evenly, your casserole dish should be a once in a lifetime purchase - but which casserole dish will be able to stand the test of time?

The covered casserole dish

Most busy cooks will want to check out the covered casserole dish when it comes to buying, as these versatile little lovelies allow you to take your food straight from the oven to the table without any fuss in between. Fun and functional, thee covered casserole dish is both oven and freezer functional – perfect for keeping any leftover stew – and comes with easy double handles, meaning you can carry your casserole dish straight from the oven to the table with a flourish! The lid keeps the temperature level in the dish, not to mention prevents spills on dashes between the kitchen and dining room, and is also great if you’re planning on taking your casserole dish meal al fresco (back off flies!).

What should your casserole dish be made from?

When picking your casserole dish, you will have to decide between the many varieties on offer. A cast iron casserole dish is a traditional one and this inexpensive, durable cookware is also a source of dietary iron; however, you’ll find that the extremely heavy casserole dish can also affect the colour and taste of your food – not to mention the fact that it needs special cleaning. Ovenproof glass is also a good option, as it retains heat well, won’t react with food and can be used in both the oven and freezer. However you can’t use a glass casserole dish for stovetop baking – plus there’s the fragile aspect.

A stainless steel casserole dish is durable and easy to clean, but make sure that you select one with ovenproof handles and a core bottom, to ensure heat is conducted evenly. Most would recommend an anodized casserole dish, as it will not discolour foods, is lighter than cast iron and is resistant to sticking, stains and dents. Oh sure, it’s probably a more expensive casserole dish than most – but it’s the number one choice for serious cooks.