GOPM pots
I have tried several cast-iron dutch ovens for Glorious One-Pot Meals type of cooking. I thought I would summarize my experience here:
I prefer the shape of the Texsport 2-qt Dutch oven (tall cylinder; $24.47) to that of the Cajun Classic (squat cylinder; $33.60). The Cajun Classic is enameled, but for quite a few things that will make no difference. [UPDATE: The Texsport turns out to be, in actual measure, 2.5 quarts---i.e., 2 quarts plus 2 more cups. The extra room just is filled with vegetables, so no problem---I do measure starch and protein carefully. - LG]
Of course, there’s also Le Creuset, at $140. Too much, especially since it comes with a handle unsuited to high temperature cooking. You can buy an all-metal handle for $10 to replace the original, but The Son points out that a drawer knob makes a fine handle for much less.
If you want a seriously good enameled cast-iron pot well suited to this type of cooking, I would recommend Staub: Somewhat expensive (retail at $187, on Amazon for $100), the Staub 2.25-quart round cocotte is be an excellent size and comes in some great colors. In quality of design and manufacture it is (IMO) head and shoulders above Le Creuset.
I did get a Staub 3.5-quart round cocotte as well: it makes 4 meals at a time. But I still use the smaller Staub and the Texsport quite frequently.
Lodge makes a pre-seasoned cast-iron 2-quart “serving pot” that would work as well, but it looks like the squat, wide. $30 for this one.
The Eldest passed along a link to a variety of cast-iron pots.
