Beautiful enough to bring to the table, yet durable enough to outlive its 101-year warranty against defects, this heavy French oven is perfect for preparing and serving ceremonious dishes such as braised short ribs with sauerkraut, cassoulet, and vegetable soup. Use it in the oven or on the stovetop. Made of cast-iron, which is unexcelled for its heat distribution and retention, this French oven cooks foods evenly and gently without hot spots at low temperatures and is suitable for all heat sources. This pan holds 7-1/4 quarts, measures 11 inches in diameter, and its exterior and interior are clad in two coats of Le Creuset's famous bright enamel. The plastic knob on its heavy, tight-fitting lid is ovenproof to 450 degrees F. Loop handles facilitate carrying, and the oven is dishwasher-safe. Like all Le Creuset cast-iron products, it is hand-cast in a one-of-a-kind sand mold and hand-finished at the Le Creuset factory in France. --Fred Brack