Kitchen

[rockyrose1]

I need to transport mashed potatoes to our family holiday dinner.  Has anyone used Le Creuset to keep their mashed potatoes hot, since we are talking cast iron?   My thoughts were to split the finished potatoes into 2

Le Creuset Dutch Ovens.  

Now, I know the rule with Le Creuset is not to heat an empty pan or Dutch Oven.  So, I thought I could heat the Dutch Ovens in a preheated 350-degree oven with a small amount of butter and milk for 5-10 minutes? Could that work? 

Also, would covering the potatoes with the lid while driving cause them to lose their fluffiness, or become gummy, since I am guessing there will be built-up steam?

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

[Ainhisg]

All I can help you with is the steam aspect. Lay a sheet of paper towels or a thin flour sack towel across the top before putting on the lid.  The paper towels or flour sack towel will prevent the condensation from dripping onto the top of your potatoes.

[Trailrun23]

How far will you be transporting your food? The cast iron will keep your potatoes hot, but If you aren't traveling for too long, I would leave the lid slightly ajar to let steam escape....the heat the pot has retained will still keep the food hot. 

[Carmie]

Why can't you heat up an empty Dutch oven?

Le Creuset makes a bread oven...same materials as the Dutch oven and you grease it and heat it up for an hour before you add the bread dough.

You can add milk and butter if you wish.  I would place a clean kitchen towel on the casserole dish before I added the lid for transport. that way steam won't build up.

I make my potatoes ahead of time and keep them warm in the oven.

I transport the hot Dutch oven in a cardboard box padded with terry towels.

[Desertdi]

Ummmm.......Yes, but make sure YOU GET IT BACK !!!!!

[CalminHeart]

I put them in a crock pot to keep warm once I get to my relative's home.

[Bhvbum]

we bring dishes like that cold, and just zap in the microwave on arrival.  it's hard to believe that there isn't a microwave available. 

 This isn't a tailgate party where you're trying to keep stuff hot and not have access to any appliances or electricity. 

[Sooner]

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@Bhvbum wrote:

we bring dishes like that cold, and just zap in the microwave on arrival.  it's hard to believe that there isn't a microwave available. 

 This isn't a tailgate party where you're trying to keep stuff hot and not have access to any appliances or electricity. 

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@Bhvbum All the tailgate people I know have generators and more appliances than in my house.  How do you run the big screen tv at the tailgate if you don't have a generator????   

[skatting44]

I would not tote that big heavy pan to anyone's home, unless as soon as I arrived we wee going to sit down and eat dinner .

 I'd put them in  a microwavable plastic sering bowl or  glass bowl .

[rockyrose1]

A BIG THANK YOU to all who responded!   I knew I was at the right place to ask this question!

It is a drive of approximately 45 - 50 minutes.  The hostess has a buffet table set up with food warmers.  As soon as I arrive the potatoes will be placed in the warmers and we will be eating very shortly.

I had a large concern about the steam ruining the potatoes.   Many of you suggested placing paper towels or dish towels under the lid.  I had not thought of that and it sounds like a real game plan!

My only question is still about heating the Le Creuset.   My plan is to make the potatoes in a pot that I have, where I can use my hand mixer to whip up the potatoes.   When finished I would transfer the potatoes to the Le Creuset.   

Any further thoughts about heating the Le Creuset...

Oven temperature and for how many minutes?

To everyone, I cannot thank you enough for your help/suggestions. 

I am now starting to feel my potatoes can survive the drive and have a chance of not being compromised!