The 10 First Kitchen Commandments: Part 1 (Le Creuset Giveaway)

This is a ten-part series that will leave you with everything you need to know about stocking your first kitchen. Whether it's a new apartment, your first solo place, or you're moving in with your special someone, it takes some time and preparation (and yes, sometimes, bags of cash) to get your kitchen into all-star shape. At the end of this series, you'll have all of the virtual tools you need to help you become a great cook.

Commandment #1: Choose quality over quantity.

When I moved into my first apartment I did what most young adults, on a budget, do when they need to stock their kitchens: I went on a Target shopping spree. From dishes to flatware, cookware and bake ware, I got it all on the cheap until, well, things literally started to fall apart. My $19.99 knives began to rust, most of my glassware broke during my last move, despite it's tight bubble-wrapping and my spoons are bent (maybe that's from eating ice cream out of the container, so perhaps I'll let that one slide).

If I could go back in time I would invest in a few great pieces, slowly, instead of buying up everything that I thought I would need for as cheaply as I possibly could. The moment when I knew that I had made a mistake was when my trusty anodized stock pot began to show signs of decay.

It was then that I knew I needed to upgrade to Le Creuset, a popular brand of enameled cast iron cookware known for its versatility, durability and unfortunately, a hefty price tag. It's made of material that evenly absorbs heat from its surroundings and transmits it in the same fashion to the food being cooked.

When I buy an expensive purse or pair of jeans, I try to justify the purchase by imagining how often I will use/wear said item. If my jeans cost $140 but I wear them 28 times, they really only cost me $5.

I suggest using the same logic behind purchasing a piece of Le Creuset cookware. You can use it for everything - in the oven or on the stove. You can even freeze it or use it to store cooked food in the refrigerator. You can use it when you make a huge batch of butternut squash and apple soup and you can use it when you make winter vegetable soup. You can boil, bake, braise...you get the picture.

Giveaway: To help you stock up on quality cookware, whether it's your first, second, third or fourth kitchen, I'm giving away one Le Creuset French Oven (6 3/4 qt; ARV: $270). The winner can choose the color from flame, white, Caribbean, cobalt, black onyx, cherry, dune, citrus and kiwi (depending on availability).

The Rules:

• Leave a comment here that answers the following questions: what is your favorite recipe?
• Anonymous comments: leave your email address in the comment field so I can reach you.
• 1 random winner will be chosen by Tuesday, November 2 at 11:59PM CST and announced by Friday, November 5. I will notify you via email and you will have 72 hours to respond before I choose a new winner.
• Contest open to US & Canada Residents only.

For Additional Entries:

• Re-tweet the following message: Want to win a Le Creuset French oven from In Good Taste today? (cc @mariscallahan). Share your favorite recipe here: http://bit.ly/azhGY2.
• Become a fan of In Good Taste on Facebook.
• Suggest that your friends become a fan of In Good Taste on Facebook.
• Please leave one comment for each entry.

 

Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Le Creuset. I was not provided with complimentary product or compensation of any kind. The words and opinions expressed here are my own.

Comments

[Julie @ Willow Bird Baking]

Right now my favorite recipe is this one for Coffee Cookie Dough Fudge Cheesecake -- it's aaaamazing! http://willowbirdbaking.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/coffee-cookie-dough-fudge-cheesecake/

[Julie @ Willow Bird Baking]

I also tweeted (wasn't sure if we were supposed to leave an additional comment for each entry?)

[Julie @ Willow Bird Baking]

I'm also a FB fan :)

[Taylor]

Favorite recipe - thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies! They are my ultimate CCC!

[Taylor]

I am a fan on FB!

[Taylor]

I tweeted too :)

[Heidi Renée]

This is a seriously awesome giveaway! My favorite recipe (today, anyway) is one I made yesterday: pumpkin pie with a hint of rum from 1,000 Vegan Recipes by Robin Robertson. The rum adds something special that really makes this pie stand out from the crowd.

I tweeted and am already a fan on Facebook.

[Carla]

What an amazing giveaway! Favorite recipe?? Wow, hard choice!!! I have an Italian Herb Bread I have been making quite frequently, as of recent.

[Cat]

My favorite recipe is for Lemon Rubarb buttermilk bundt cake!! Seriously one of the best things I have ever eaten.

[Ginny]

I love Le Creuset! my favorite recipe... mmm... my family brownies! :)

[Ginny]

I liked you!

[Ginny]

I tweeted!

[SanjaG]

My favorite recipe this month is an old standard from MarthaStewart.com, pumpkin squash ravioli w/ browned sage butter. It has evolved to a pumpkin lasagna and topped w/ pine nuts and reduced balsamic sauce. Delish!

[kelsey @ une-americaine in france]

Oooh, Le Creusets are AMAZING! I want one! Picking just one favorite recipe is hard but I'd have to say that I completely devour my mom's special recipe for Chicken Pot Pie! Other favorites include our homemade chicken enchiladas, veggie burritos, oven-baked "fried" chicken, and my homemade phad see ew. :D

[Courtney Alleborn]

Hey, I love this site and am so glad you're doing something like this. This past Saturday I made my first item from here; the white bean apple chili! My boyfriend and I loved it! Keep up the great work!

[Ara C]

this is a great blog, very creative. I personally liked to learn about banana bread. The pizza looks delicious and healthy.

[lynn miller]

I lost custody of a Le Creuset French Oven since it was a pre-marital piece that my husband has had more than 30 years. I used to like making chicken soup in it although it was used for cooking everything from lobsters to vegetable stew (Moosewood recipe)over the years.

[Lisa Keys]

Happy November; I love your blog. I have a 20-something daughter who reminds me so much of you. My favorite recipe this week is
roasted brussel sprouts-I just picked them from my garden

[mzt1]

Roasted Vegetable Lasagne (the one with the butternut squash) that you wrote about last year. Yum!!!

[Meal Makeover Mom Janice]

My favorite recipe is my Chocolaty Party Torte! http://mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/desserts/chocolaty-coconut-party-torte/
Love the Le Creuset!!

[Meal Makeover Mom Janice]

Just tweeted the giveaway!

[Meal Makeover Mom Janice]

I 'like' you on Facebook (and in real life)!

[Laurie]

My favorite recipe is New England Buttermilk Pumpkin Cake!

[Laurie]

I just subscribed---love reading cooking blogs!

[Laurie]

and "liked" you on Facebook!

[Pat]

Would LOVE this. My favorite recipe is a soup I created many years ago that won me a $500 prize in a contest - Etruscan Peasant Soup. It is a simple Italian-style soup. I could double the recipe and make it in this pot.

[Daryl]

I am already a fan

[Daryl]

I retweeted Want to win a Le Creuset French oven from In Good Taste today? (cc @mariscallahan). Share your favorite recipe here: http://bit.ly/azhGY2.

[Joy]

I think I have made the chilaquiles recipe I got from your blog more than any other recipe I've gotten from online. They are so quick and yummy. My second favorite is probably spinach enfrijolades.

[Joy]

I liked you on facebook!

[Cindy]

My favorite recipe is pulled chicken sandwiches, easy and delicious!

[Caroline]

There is a butternut squash and turkey chili recipe that is my new flavor of the moment. Loving it!

[Elizabeth]

Probably my mom's pot roast!

[aldean edwards]

oooh, I have been wanting some Le Creuset sooo badly!! I love the way you justify the purchase - makes sense to me - but winning one would be even better! :) One of my favorite things is bread pudding and here's the link a new favorite way to make it: http://greensnchocolate.blogspot.com/2010/10/pumpkin-bread-pudding-with-salted.html.

[Kathryn]

Oh I have so many favorite recipes! Right now I'm obsessed with anything pumpkin so I'd have to say pumpkin pie! (just the recipe on the libbys can with a few tweaks!)

[Kathryn]

I'm a facebook fan!

[Patricia]

I have lots of favorite recipes. I have to say that my go to recipe for my family is a pork and shrimp pot sticker recipe...it is easy and quick (except for the folding, that adds a little time if you want to show off!). I started with Steamy Kitchen's version and have since created my own from that (different/stronger flavors), but her pics and explanations really helped me to dare to try something completely new.

I also agree with quality over quantity. I am only now able to start upgrading my stuff after 15 years on my own, but it is finally happening.

[Charlene]

My favorite recipe is for the baked brownies - I love them!
Have a great week!

[Harriet]

Your Double chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes are my favorite recipe for the month. This is just the beginning of the holiday season and I know other great recipes will follow.

[Kate Bernot]

My favorite recipes are not just the ones that taste great, but the ones that have nostalgia value. Now that the weather's cold, my favorite recipe is for my Oma's goulash veal stew and spaetzles. I love making the spaetzles, even though they're a pain, because I get to use my spaetzle press that has no other function except to make those tasty, doughy noodles.

[Janel Gradowski]

I love Nigella's Beef Stew with Anchovies and Thyme. Sounds odd, but is so delicious and easy!

[Katie @ Health for the Whole Self]

Right now I am loving the soft molasses ginger cookie recipe from We Are Not Martha!

[Janel Gradowski]

I am a FB fan. :)

[MaryAnne]

My all time fav, go to recipe (no matter the number of people eating) is my chicken & dumplings

[MaryAnne]

I am a FB fan

[Alexandra]

My all time favorite recipe is my mother's Hazelnut Linzertorte with Rasberry Filling. I am also a fan on Facebook!

[Katy]

My favorite recipe to make is a Curried Ginger Carrot soup. Its yummy, easy and great on a snowy day. Its always a winner, ever for my soup hating sister and boy friend!!

[kat]

I think my favorite recipe is my Grown Up Mac & Cheese just the best comfort food! I;m so with you on sometimes you have to invest in the good stuff.

[kat]

I gave you a tweet too.

[Sarah]

My favorite recipe would have to be Tee's Corn Pudding from Southern Living...my first dish I made myself to bring to a family gathering!

[Tisch Farley]

I like the Oven baked fried chicken recipe.
Tisch Farley

[Zandria]

Red velvet cupcakes! I'm a master.

[Kristen]

My current favorite recipe is Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Garlic, Parmesan and Spinach. It's so tasty, not terribly difficult, and is delicious warmed up, believe it or not!

[Julia]

I just made pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and it's my favorite of the moment. But, of all time, probably my mom's chicken and dumplings!

[Lisa]

my favorite go-to recipe is definitely the Baked Mac & Cheese from Amy Sedaris' entertaining/cookbook "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence" - so cheesy, comforting and delicious!

[Lisa]

I also just "Liked" you on Facebook!

[Lisa]

There are so many great recipes out there, but one of my favorites is my grandma's apple pie. It's so simple, yet it has biased me against all others.

[Trina]

Right now my favourite recipe is a Mocha Chocolate Brownie recipe from PW's cookbook. It is always a hit where ever I bring it!!

[Amy]

Butternut & sweet potato gratin casserole....so freaking good.

[Kara]

I have tons of favourite recipes! I think right now it's my homemade macaroni and cheese! It's stick to your ribs, artery-hardening goodness!

[Stephanie]

I made pumpkin snickerdoodles a few days ago and they were so delicious! Right now I'm obsessed with all things pumpkin and butternut squash. It's an orange fall thing, I guess!

[Rachael]

It is so hard to choose a favorite when I have so many, but for the Fall season I would have to say my favorite recipe is for a Pumpkin Soup with a Chili Apple Relish.

[Brett Youmans]

I have so many favorite recipes but my go to, never fail recipe is "Chicken with Forty Garlics." It's made even better in my Le Creuset Dutch Oven! I definitely need another piece of this amazing cookware!

F*A*N*T*A*S*T*I*C giveaway!!! THANKS!

[Joanne]

Awesome giveaway maris! I've slowly been trying to upgrade my kitchenware from the crappy stuff I bought in college. My favorite recipe...these caramel macchiato cupcakes! http://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/2010/10/caramel-macchiato-cupcakes-with-caramel.html

[Lisa S.]

Ohhh, I would love to win this. I've been slowly trying to acquire quality pieces. Hmmmm, it's hard to pick a favorite recipe, but at the moment I think it's butternut squash soup!

[mandy]

Such a great giveaway! My favorite recipe if I'm cooking is stuffed pepper soup. Its incredibly delicious and I'm a huge fan of soup on cold fall/winter days. If I'm baking my favorite go-to recipe is for Everything Cookies, amazing cookies that are different from traditional chocolate chip cookies and make a lot which is great for sharing with friends.

[Steve]

Favorite recipes include all kinds of soup...hot or cold. BTW can we get the cookware in red??

[Farida Rafique]

I have way too many favorites..but the one I really cherish right now is Saffron Fennel Seafood stew with vine ripened tomatoes. The stew is hearty and filled with all kinds of seafood. You can sop it up with chewy crusty ciabatta bread. LOVE IT.

[Paula Trimble]

My favorite recipes tend to change with the season. For summer it's an easy Salmon made in the microwave with teriyaki sauce, lemon juice, and leeks -- so quick and so good!

[Marie Shriver]

Blended Sweet Potato Zucchini Soup with Coconut Milk - yummy yummy yummy.

[Laura]

I'm going to say a favorite weeknight dinner recipe. Tamale chicken casserole. Easy, delicious & oh so comforting! I love my one Le Creuset dutch over, and would be thrilled to add more to the collection.
(I'm also an In Good Taste fan on facebook!)

[jamie]

I recently found a recipe for buffalo chicken mac and cheese! I had some when I went to S'MAC and I was dying to try to make it on my own.

Also, I'm super excited about this series since I'm finally stocking my kitchen properly because I've decided to start cooking way more. So thanks for this, I can't wait to read more about it!

[jamie]

Oh, I'm also a fan on facebook!

[Marie]

Hrm, my favorite recipe. That's a tough one. I really love my chocolate chip cookie recipe.

[Sarah]

My favorite recipe is Southwest Chicken Lasagna. My mom always made it for me for my birthday growing up and it's the perfect combination of pasta and Mexican food- YUM!

[Terry Clarkson Farrell]

Thats a toughie- last year I had a Julie/Julia dinner party ( for my women friends) And made Julia Childs Beef Burgundy for the first time it was - YUM!- so thats a cold weather Fav now that goes neck and neck with my greek beef stew(it has cinnamon in it) with home made egg noodles - both are cooked in a FOURTY year old Le creuset pot that was my moms and is in terrible shape ( but I love it!)

[natalie (the sweets life)]

I can only pick one favorite? That seems impossible! However, these pumpkin granola bars are my favorite lately :) http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/10/pumpkin-granola-bars.html

[Jenny]

My favorite recipe is Balsamic Beef with mashed sweet potatoes and garlic green beans. It screams easy comfort food and beyond delicious. I have slowly been acquiring quality pieces (aka Le Creuset!!) Although if I won this, there would be pots and pots of soup being made!

[Maria]

Favorite recipe-my dad's cinnamon rolls. A family favorite!

[Jenny]

I "Like" your page on Facebook - Also added your page to my page favorites (Creative Cooking Gluten Free)

[Kendel @ Eating Abroad]

My favorite recipe is probably my mom's pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. They are not only delicious, but more importantly, this recipe embodies about a million wonderful memories with my mom.

[Jenny]

I re-tweeted about this give away (@creatively_gf)

[Nicole]

What an exciting giveaway! I completely agree in quality over quantity, for sure. I think my current favorite recipe is for Jam Crumb Cake. You can use any kind of jam, but homemade jam takes it to the next level. So easy and delicious!
http://nicoledula.com/recipes/peach-jam-crumb-cake

[Ali @ His Birdie's Nest]

My favorite recipe (dang this is a hard question) is Cooking Light's Enchilada Casserole. It's great as leftovers :)

[Nimisha]

My favorite recipe would be one that is warm, seasonal, healing, yet delicious: Butternut Squash and Pistachio Quinoa.
http://clubdinein.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/meatless-monday-pistachio-quinoa-and-butternut-squash/

[Nicole]

I follow you on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway, too :)

[Rachel Matthews]

My friends love my "Yankee Chili". It involves several different kinds of beans, ground beef or tvp (depending on who's coming to dinner) onion, garlic, canned tomatoes and ( trust me, ok?) dried blueberries. Very easy, ages well and honestly yummy-ask my friends!

[Kristina]

Asking me to commit to one, single favorite recipe is asking a lot but I'd have to say that it's probably Snickerdoodles. For now. Ask me again tomorrow:
http://mouthfromthesouth.com/snickerdoodles/

[Kristina]

I'm also a FB fan. Like I wouldn't already be one.

[kate]

Lately I'm loving the Blueberry coffee cake recipe with Rice Krispies in the base, and also a Peanut Butter Banana Bread that's currently up on my blog. It's SO hard to pick ONE favorite recipe!!

[kate]

Facebook fan, for sure!

[kate]

aaaaand Tweeted!!!

[Lisa]

Since it's so hard to find a single favorite, I can at least say that soups among my absolute favorite things to make and so far this fall my go to soup has been shiitake and kale lentil soup! Mmmm...!

[Lisa]

Also a Facebook "fan"

[Julie Davis]

My favorite recipe is Risotto with shrimp and arugula from cooking light. So yummy!

[Julie Davis]

I like in good taste on facebook

[Philippine]

Too funny! Just yesterday, I was dragging my mom along the aisles of Target to show her the different dutch ovens they had because she refuses to pay for a Le Creuset! I keep telling her it will last me forever and a day and I could finally teach her how to master a delicious French Onion Soup! Still no luck.

My favorite recipe is a Vegetable Gratin that a fellow foodie friend passed down to me. I could never get sick of it and could eat it all week, day and night.

[Philippine]

I also "liked" your page on FB!

[Adrienne Martin]

My favorite recipe is Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with a warm slice of freshly baked french bread! So delicious!

[Philippine]

Tweeted! (via heartinbdx)