These are obviously good for risotto and paella but also for bolognese, coq au vin and curries, where you first want a larger frying area in order to be able to add more taste to your final dish than in a normal traditional casserole. This pan is a bit like a shallow casserole but with more vertical sides and a bit more depth and we sell, very well, the stainless steel version of it in the Le Creuset 3 Ply range. Its often called a multifunction pan by many manufacturers and you can still use it as a casserole or to bake bread in. Note: This Risotto pan comes with a black Phenolic knob.