Le Creuset Round Cocotte Matte Black

Enamelled cast iron absorbs heat and distributes it evenly across the base and sides, giving meats and vegetables a consistent colour and cook. Once it's on the table, it keeps food warm long after you've served. The tight-fitting lid traps steam and encourages condensation to fall back into the pot, so the juices and aromas stay where they belong, deepening in flavour as the dish cooks.

The lid knob is heat-resistant to 260°C (500°F), so you can lift it with an oven mitt without a second thought.

The wide side handles make it easy to move from oven to table. Just use your mitts.

It works on all heat sources: gas, electric, induction, and grill, and goes into the oven without restriction. To keep the enamel in good shape over the years, low to medium heat is all you need, which also happens to suit the long, slow cooking this pot does best.

Made in France, this round cocotte comes in seven sizes, from 18 cm (7 in) to 30 cm (12 in), covering everything from a weeknight meal for two to a big family spread.