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Monday, March 25, 2024

LE CREUSET FACTORY TO TABLE ADVENTURE

We had a blast on our "there and back" day trip (see Fri/Sat posts).  These were all amazing deals, the biggest piece was 75% off.  It was retail $625.  That means we paid $156 for it.  Deal!  Most were 50% or 60% off.  We've known this trip was coming, so we've been saving up to get the pieces we've wanted to add to our growing collection.


We got there about 45 minutes before they opened the doors and there were already several dozen people in line.  By the time we started moving in, there were a few hundred in line.  Fortunately, it was large.

In order to keep crowd size controllable, when you bought tickets, you got them for certain time windows.  We got the first of the day, because later in the day, there may be things they run out of. 


Lots of tables set up and you just roamed around to get what you wanted.  They had wonderful employees standing everywhere (in bright orange shirts, ha) and you could ask for a specific color, a certain piece, even "what is the best deal in here" and they would direct you right to it.


40%, 50%, 60%, even some bigger bargains.  These are all factory new, not seconds or defects.

That's why the call it Factory to Table!


They even had bakeware and ceramics, also spatulas and other accessories.  We were just there for the enameled cast iron.

So here is what we picked up.
Yep...seven pieces.


This was a cool piece because it's usually only sold overseas.  It's called a Parisian Bistro Pan.  It has wide handles and a flared edge at the top.  The color is a color not available here, "vapor", kind of a blue gray. 


2nd Man wanted a new pan for cooking his corn tortillas on (a comal) and this looked like a good one to call our own.  It is also in a hard to find color, this one is called "emerald" it goes from dark to lighter.


We also wanted a casserole type dish and this one is 3 quarts, the perfect size for casseroles and side dishes.  It's called the signature oval baker and in a color we don't already have, "Marseille" (a bright blue).


Two classic pieces, round dutch ovens.  The large one is 14 quarts and "cerise" (cherry red) and the other is 9 quarts and orange or "flame".  We already have a 6 quart (black) but found it a bit small for large batches of soups or stews.


Here's a neat one that we had been curious about and with us eating more brown rice now, figured it will be perfect.  It's a rice pot, cast iron but with an inner ceramic lid.  This color is "turquoise".


Lastly, this is a piece we have been wanting for a while now.  A tagine, a Moroccan cooking method/pot.  You layer the ingredients in the bottom and the tight fitting lid and unique shape, lets the steam rise up and rain back down on the food to add moisture and flavor.


The upper portion is ceramic but the base is their signature cast iron with a matte finish to help prevent sticking.  This color is called "volcanic" (kind of a variation on the "flame" color).  We have a clay tagine that we used to use a few years back, but it does not work on our induction stove of course, so this will be fun to have and get back into cooking with a tagine.  He's already looking at new recipes.

 I told 2nd Man that we are going to have to put in our will that we leave our collection to a cooking school, ha!

21 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks!! We thought the same when we unpacked it all, ha.

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  2. I don't remember ever seeing a tangine. Interesting concept. You bought really useful items. Do you mind saying what you spent on all this? We won't judge you. I am glad you focused on cooking vessels and not accessories.

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    1. Thank you. They're known for their enameled cast iron since that's made in France and has been for a hundred years so we stick to that side of things only, ha. We saved up for a few months in preparation. It was around a thousand. :-) Full retail for it all was $3200 so DEFINITELY got a great deal.

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    2. Thanks for that info. I cannot use my cast iron because of wrists, but one day I will have one of these. Beautiful. What a bargain.

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  3. What a wonderful; useful collection of cookware you have adding to your collection. All in such lovely colors.
    That 'chimney' lid one was what I was must curious about. (I had no idea what it was called, now I know) :)
    Sounds like you got really good deals on your purchased items.

    We had rain here all morning; just a little over 2 inches.
    Have a great day and a wonderful evening.

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    1. Rained a bit here yesterday but then went away midday. Today was GORGEOUS! Supposed to be the rest of the week. Yep, that's a tagine, from morocco. There is no hole in the top, it's just shaped like that so the steam and flavors rise up and then slowly come back down the sides to moisten and cook/flavor the food. It's kind of a version of a dutch oven perhaps, or a big stew pot.

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  4. i've been tempted to get that tagine but i just don't know if i would use it enough. i would love that bistro pan. good haul!!! joyce

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    1. Right? The bistro pan was one that caught my eye. After researching it when we got back home, le Creuset fans say it's a must have, it has the largest surface area of a pan and it has straight sides instead of sloped/angled so it works great for many things. We're going to start cooking a lot more in the tagine. Stay tuned for some recipes and pics as we use it.

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  5. Excellent choices!!! I love the tagine and have it on my wish list. I cook a lot of Middle Eastern dishes. Enjoy using them all!!

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    1. We've been wanting one. Have a clay one (actually FROM Morocco) and we used it at the house when we had gas but with induction now (and the farm will be induction too), we needed something that would work and were excited to get this for 60% off retail. Now we need to find some good recipes for it. :-)

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  6. I really do like all of your finds. I wish we had the option to buy like that here. I would be like a kid in a candy store. Enjoy! Anne in the kitchen

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    1. 2nd Man was a kid in the candy store for sure, ha. We splurged but like we said, just SUCH bargains and it's quite possibly a once in a decade trip (we'd have to fly to other ones, this was just a couple hours away, ha).

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  7. Some cool items there, looks like you had some damn good finds

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    1. Thanks, we were so happy, it was like Christmas and birthdays all rolled up into one (and actually was since we'd been saving to prepare for this ha).

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  8. Y’all got some wonderful cookware pieces! I love all the beautiful colors. Lots of delicious meals will be made with these.
    What a great way to celebrate both of your birthdays! 🎉

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    1. Thank you, several of the people there would ask us what our "color was" since many people collect all things in one color or sometimes two. 2nd Man started saying "the rainbow" and we'd show them the other items we already have in all sorts of colors. They were excited. Yep, birthdays for sure.

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  9. What an assortment! When are you inviting us all to dinner?

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    1. I told 2nd Man we should have one of those farm to table dinners someday that has a 50 foot long table. Everyone would be able to come, ha. Hey, we can dream, right?

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  10. As nice as it is... and it IS nice!! I've noticed now at 75 and still counting, the heavy cookware doesn't get used much ... picking up even empty is a problem, and I've been known to lose my grip on the lid knob. Crash bang... they make a hell of a noise ... Hopw you two enjoy yours for years to come!!

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    1. Totally understand. We'll enjoy it while we can for sure. I can't even imagine dropping one, also have to watch out for your toes!!! :-). Thanks again!!! And you be careful too!

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