Dutch ovens are essential kitchen items, heavy and thick enough to conduct and maintain heat and deep enough to hold large cuts of meat and quarts of cooking liquid. Dutch ovens are great for braises, stews, and chilis, but they can also be used for a number of other things like cakes, pasta, eggs, and chicken.

I recommend the Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. It conducts heat well, is easy to clean, and looks pretty.