I have an Emile Henri tagine that sells for a few hundred dollars, I believe. My daughter found it at a garage sale, and bought it for $10. The woman said it was a gift, one she had never bothered to use.

So when we were staying with her, we got stuck into experimenting with recipes. We made some delightful food, and as we were leaving she put it in the boot of our car, saying that I would use it more than she would. As it turns out, she was correct. I love it.

I also bought two Le Creuset Dutch ovens some 30 years ago. They are still as good as new and they are used constantly. The secret is never to put them in the dishwasher. I love that I can cook enough food in them to last four meals. Cooking twice a week is food for the soul...excuse pun!