Why you'll love it: From Easter ham and Thanksgiving turkey to kids' birthday cupcakes, Le Creuset's oval platter is a classic multitasker that can stylishly serve up any food.
If you're passionate about combining food with friends and family, you know the value of a good workhouse platter that can multitask on-the-quick and always look good doing it. After much research, hosting experience, and deliberation, I feel confident recommending a Le Creuset large oval platter as the best all-around serving dish you buy.
If you know and love your way around a kitchen, chances are you already have (or are coveting) something made by Le Creuset. The nearly 100-year-old French manufacturer of cookware and serveware is most famous for its range of brightly colored enameled cast iron pieces. For me, the iconic flame orange Dutch oven was the gateway drug, and I loved it so much I now have a pretty good collection of bakeware to match.
Even though the rest of my set is the brand's signature orange, and the entire Le Creuset catalog is available in eight colors, I still recommend plain white as the best all-around serving dish to own. Not only does white complement every tablescape and occasion, its understatedness also lets your beautiful food be the star of the show.
In terms of versatility, I can't think of a more functional and elegant option all-around serving option than this timeless and understated platter. It looks as compelling at the center of your table holding a Christmas ham as it does serving up your latest gastronomy invention. It's also simple and minimalist enough to look perfect serving up hot dogs on a picnic table.
Its durable enamel glaze is sturdy and resistant to chips, and is safe for use in the dishwasher, microwave, and even the oven (up to 500F degrees). It's certainly not the cheapest platter you could buy, but at $80 it's still quite reasonable, especially since this piece is destined to become an heirloom.
Pros: Versatile, well-crafted, oven and dishwasher safe
Cons: None, really, except it's not the cheapest option out there
Buy the Le Creuset large oval platter at Williams Sonoma for $64