Cast Iron Is Essential for Glorious One-Pot Meals

Reader question: I have just gotten the cookbook and have cooked one recipe with orzo but it all stuck together is there any way to stop this from happening? Also I have a ceramic dutch oven does it have to be cast iron? Thanks. ~ Karen W., Pittsburgh

Thanks for writing, Karen! I’m sorry to hear that your first attempt at a Glorious One-Pot Meal cooked the orzo unsuccessfully, and I’m sure the reason is because you were not using a cast iron Dutch oven.

Cast iron has unique heat conduction properties that allow it to absorb, distribute, and retain heat differently than any other material. While you can make passable versions of Glorious One-Pot Meal recipes in stainless steel, ceramic, or glass Dutch ovens, only cast iron will work correctly with recipes that include dry goods, such as rice, quinoa, or orzo.

When you’re including a pasta like orzo in a Glorious One-Pot Meal, it also can be helpful to add a teaspoon of olive oil to the pasta water to keep the noodles from sticking together.

You might enjoy watching some video demonstrations of Glorious One-Pot Meals here.