A dutch oven is a large, heavy cooking pot, with a tight-fitting lid and frequently with little legs (for cooking over a fire). Usually made of cast iron. Generally for cooking things slowly in their own juices (thus the tight lid), HOWEVER: the dutch oven is the king of kitchen implements. Following my mother's footsteps, I cook with the dutch oven more often than not. Her father brought his on camping trips when he was a scout leader (camping equipment sure has changed!).

When i was diagnosed as anemic, I was sure that it was because I was away from The Magic Pot (at school). (turns out there were other reasons, and no, it's not because I'm a vegetarian).

Mum's dutch oven was full of the ghosts of meals. If you put it on to warm, the garlic and other smells would make it seem like dinner was already ready.