549256 Sat Aug 16 13:46:46 -0700 2008 4 31 Home Cooking 0 3962559 Hey Chowhounders, My lover (who, mind you, I now love appreciably more) just surprised me with a 3.5 qt french oven by LC, in red. meow. So now the big question is... where do I start off? I'm a dutch oven virgin, but willing to try anything and everything. I'm hoping to set the standard by making my first LC meal one to remember. Got any suggestions? I LOVE duck, chicken, shrimp, risottos and and most veggies. only limitations: I don't eat anything with four legs. They creep me out. (no pork, beef, lamb, etc) Please, give me all you got. With any luck, standards will be set high and I'll be driven to try them all. Sat Aug 16 13:46:47 -0700 2008 182120 courtney.hami 1 3962715 Your new tool is, essentially, a slow cooker - so you can make anything with it that would turn out nicely using a slow cook method. Chicken Catchatori comes to mind, but Duck A L'Orange, Shrimp Creole might be a good place to start. Sat Aug 16 15:12:34 -0700 2008 3962559 203621 todao 1 3963017 I have made this Alton Brown 40 Cloves and a Chicken recipe numerous times, always to rave reviews. Have used both whole chickens (cut up) and breasts only. Either works fine. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/40-cloves-and-a-chicken-recipe/index.html I also make this Indonesian Ginger Chicken somewhat often... http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/indonesian-ginger-chicken-recipe/index.html Sat Aug 16 18:44:00 -0700 2008 3962559 10205 valerie 2 3963069 Go get yourself a copy of All About Braising by Molly Stevens. You and your french oven will be set for life. I promise. Sat Aug 16 19:20:32 -0700 2008 3963017 24075 onefineleo 2 3964092 Indonesian ginger chicken? yum! definitely going to try that one. Sun Aug 17 12:03:07 -0700 2008 3963017 182120 courtney.hami