The cocotte originated in France where this casserole dish was designed to cook chicken dishes: in fact, the word "cocotte" itself is the French word for "little hen". Since then, however, the cocotte cast iron Dutch oven dish has been used to make a wide variety of other dishes by chefs and home cooks including soups, stews pot roasts and ragouts as well as for perfecting sauces. Beginners can use them as they try their hand at tasty oven-baked dishes and professional French chefs can't do without them for gratins or delicate souffls. This particular cocotte is graphite, adding a hint of elegance when presenting food at the table, round and has a diameter of 18cm. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, cast-iron is an excellent heat retainer and is good at distributing heat equally, characteristics which are enforced by Staub's special matte black enamel. The durable bottom of the enamelled cast-iron Dutch oven can serve as a pan for searing food before slow cooking or adding to the oven making this an incredibly versatile model. This enamel also helps preserve a food's unique flavour. Since a cocotte retains heat well, meat and vegetables can be cooked gently whilst preserving both flavour and nutritional content. It is therefore perfect for cooking healthy meals. Its specially designed lid also releases condensation at regular intervals, keeping meat wonderfully succulent. Staub is known worldwide for making the best Dutch ovens which can be used for a wide variety of uses. With the Staub cocotte, you can treat yourself and your guests to beautifully tender meat and delicious-tasting vegetables at any time.

• Heavy, tight fitting flat lid features self-basting spikes for continuous, even distribution of juices throughout cooking
• Intensify flavours and retain the aromas and vitamins within the food, so food is moist and flavourful
• Unique interior black matte enamel finish that requires little seasoning over time and is more resistant to scratches and chips
• Enamel cast iron is a traditionally strong material, ideal for low heat cooking, it retains heat better than any other material, equal heat distribution eliminates hot spots
• Smooth enamel bottom works on all stovetops, including gas, electric, glass, ceramic, induction and halogen
• Suitable for all types of hobs, including induction
• Oven safe up to 260C with lid, without lid oven safe up to 482C
• Handwash recommended