Your family and friends are on their way over to enjoy a delicious meal and it’s time to show off your hosting skills. Whether it is Christmas dinner, a significant other’s birthday or just a regular family get-together, every last detail must be on point.
From matching serveware and dinnerware, to pots and pans that accent or compliment your existing kitchen setup, Le Creuset offers you the ability to mix and match depending on personal preferences and taste. We offer a range of quality cookware that is sure to impress your guests with a variety of bold colours and is designed to accommodate both big and small groups.
Our cookware goes from stove to table with ease and comes in a number of different materials, including enamelled cast iron, toughened nonstick, and stainless steel. Here is a cookware guide to become the perfect host, including five of our favourite recipes.
Equipping your kitchen with the cookware essentials
Before hosting a family dinner, you’re going to need a do-it-all pot. In other words, a pot that can do it all. The French or Dutch Oven is one option and is an extremely versatile piece of cookware. This iconic pot serves many uses, including searing, braising, slow-cooking, sauteing, and boiling.
Alternatively, the stockpot is another versatile pot that can be used for a variety of different cooking techniques. Typically, this piece of cookware is perfect for simmering a hearty soup, or for boiling pasta and seafood. The stockpot is built to last and comes in toughened nonstick, stainless steel or enamelled steel.
Finally, you can opt for a braiser. The braiser uses wet and dry heat to break down tough cuts of meat and can be used for braising, poaching, browning, and even serving. Its domed lid and shallow base makes it perfect for slow-cooking stews and tenderizing meat dishes.
No kitchen arsenal would be complete without the cast iron skillet. This pan is loved by chefs and home cooks alike due to its versatility and ability to tackle any temperature. The cast iron skillet can be used to prepare delicious side dishes, as well as meats, proteins, and desserts. Its shallow base offers the perfect environment for searing and frying. Lastly, adding a chef’s knife to your kitchen setup is a good choice. This multi-purpose knife will be used daily for everything from chopping vegetables, or cutting meat and nuts.
Matching serveware and dinnerware
Having matching serveware and dinnerware could make a world of difference when entertaining guests. Le Creuset offers a range of classic stoneware dining sets that are equally elegant as they are durable. Whether you are looking for 16-piece sets, or 72-piece dining sets, we have you covered with dining ware of all sizes.
Our dining sets are currently available in eight different colours and are designed to match or compliment existing kitchen decor and serveware. Our serveware consists of many unique pieces, including a gravy boat, pitchers, serving platters and bowls. Much like with dining ware, our serveware is also offered in eight different colours, giving you the ability to get matching sets ahead of your next dinner party.
Dessert
Hosts can go many different ways with dessert options, but you can never go wrong with serving coffee or tea. Our Tea Lover’s Set equips you with all the serving essentials, including a Classic Whistling Kettle, a 1.3 L Grand Teapot, and four mugs that will keep your tea hot well after it has been served.
Coffee aficionados, on the other hand, should look no further than our Coffee Lover’s Set. This set also includes a Classic Whistling Kettle and four mugs, in addition to a 0.8 L French Press for a perfect brew. You can even contrast your coffee or tea set with Le Creuset’s colourful silicone and cast iron trivets and coasters. These will not only protect your table from heat, but also add a thoughtful touch of style.
With the beverages all sorted, a sweet and decadent dessert is in order. From Nutella cupcakes, to an orange almond cake, these recipes are crafted to tie the entire meal together and be served alongside coffee and tea. Le Creuset offers a vast selection of bakeware, including baking dish sets, muffin trays, and anything else you might need to wrap up a delicious meal.
Recipes you could serve out of cookware
Here are five of our favourite recipes that can go directly from the oven or stovetop to the table in your Le Creuset cookware. These main courses make for a great meal for the whole family and can be easily adjusted to accommodate more guests.
Coq au Vin Mousseux
This traditional French recipe dates all the way back to the early 20th century and will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. While the original recipe calls for a red Burgundy wine to be used, Le Creuset has opted to elevate it with two cups of sparkling wine – hence the name Coq au Vin Mousseux.
Start by browning the bacon in a Round French Oven until it is crispy. Before cutting the chicken into eight pieces, sear each side of it until it is perfectly browned. Once the poultry is seared and cut, add the parsnips, mushrooms, and sparkling wine into the French or Dutch Oven and bring it to a simmer. Begin by cooking the chicken thighs and finish with the remainder of the chicken breast as it needs less time to become tender.
Braised Ribs
Looking to serve your guests tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs, but don’t know how to get started? Keep reading. Our Braised Ribs recipe is extremely easy to follow, including five simple steps. Begin by combining the salt, pepper, paprika, chilli powder, mint, and salt in a small mixing bowl and rub them onto the ribs and let them rest overnight. This ensures the pork spare ribs absorb the rich flavour profile of the mixture.
Next, introduce the wine, cider, chicken stock, apples, Serrano peppers, and bay leaves into the braiser. Once it is boiling, submerge the ribs into the braiser and bake for one hour until they are tender. Keep in mind that the meat should only be partially covered by the liquid.
Finish by broiling the ribs and Serrano peppers on a sheet pan until both sides are crispy. This recipe takes just over one hour to do and is best suited to be done in a cast iron braiser. The French or Dutch Oven can also be used, offering a wide and shallow surface needed for braising.
All Beef Tacos
What better way to welcome guests than with a taco night? Our All Beef Tacos are a fun meal to share around the table and can be whipped up in no time. The cast iron skillet is typically recommended for this recipe due to its ability to withstand high heat and offers superior heat retention.
Begin by heating oil on medium heat and cook the onion until it is browned. Once the cast iron skillet is appropriately preheated, add in the ground beef and garlic and let it cook between eight and 10 minutes. Remember to occasionally stir the ground beef to break it up into smaller pieces for the tacos.
The recipe features an intriguing spice profile, featuring chilli powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. After all, tacos need that extra kick! Our all beef tacos take less than 30 minutes to prepare and can serve up to six people.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Our Pulled Pork Sandwiches is our take on a southern classic and is a great meal to serve to friends and family outside on a hot summer day. These sandwiches can easily be packed up for a picnic and make for great school leftovers for the next day.
The barbecue sauce is a crucial part of this recipe, adding a diverse flavour profile to the sandwiches. Begin by combining the barbecue sauce with chicken stock, brown sugar, and vinegar in a medium mixing bowl. Once that is complete, it’s time to season the meat. Continue by mixing paprika, chilli powder, cumin, mustard and salt, and rub it onto the boneless pork shoulder. This will ensure your sandwiches are not lacking in flavour.
Finish by searing the meat on medium heat to drain all the excess fat and bring the French or Dutch Oven to a simmer. Introduce the barbecue sauce and slow-cook the pork for three hours until it is perfectly tender.
This recipe may take three hours to prepare, but it is well worth the wait, and served up to eight people at a time. Serve the sandwiches in warmed buns with coleslaw and pickles!
Steamed Mussels
Our Steamed Mussels are yet another recipe that doubles as a great centerpiece on the table and are just perfect for the seafood lovers in your family. The first step is to clean and rinse the mussels and discard any that are already open or broken. Once that is complete, begin by heating oil and butter in a French or Dutch Oven and slowly introduce the garlic, shallots, tomatoes, and red pepper flakes.
Increase the heat to high after adding the mussels and wine and place the French Oven’s tight-fitting lid atop the pot. This will lock in all the rich flavours and spices and ensure all the mussels are cooked perfectly through.
The French Oven’s sand-coloured enamel allows you to monitor the mussels easily, but remember to keep tossing them until they have opened completely wide. Garnish with the remaining parsley and black pepper, and serve.
This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and is good for up to four servings. If you are expecting more guests, simply adjust the portions of the mussels. Serve directly out of your flame-coloured French or Dutch Oven for an extra pop!
Hosting in style
Being the perfect host typically requires having all the essentials ready for your guests. Arming your kitchen with these pieces of cookware will ensure that you can not only tackle your favourite recipes, but also serve your guests in style.
From the iconic French Oven and iron handle skillet, to our dinnerware sets, our catalogue is carefully crafted to meet all your cooking and hosting demands – all-while adding a thoughtful touch to your kitchen.
These were just some of our favourite pieces of cookware to add to your kitchen setup before your next party. For more cookware inspiration, browse Le Creuset’s complete catalogue or visit our blog for tips on making the most of your collection.