I have a dutch oven, but never made anything in it. How is it different from any other pot with lid?

A Dutch oven is a thick-walled (usually cast iron) cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid

Easy to clean and simple to use, Dutch Oven cooking is a great way to prepare healthy food at home or on the road. A true Dutch oven cooks just like a conventional oven, allowing you to cook faster and larger meals.
The fine, porous surface of cast iron also allows for better heat distribution and retention.

One of the best pieces of advice for anyone looking to purchase their first Dutch oven is to select an oven that is well made and of good quality, anything of a cheap quality would be a false economy.

 The walls of the oven should be the same thickness all the way around. Inspect the oven's bail, it should be made of sturdy heavy gage wire and be securely attached to molded, NOT riveted, tangs on the side of the oven. Rivets can break off under a heavy load, such as when the oven is full of food.

Check the Dutch oven lid to make sure it fits tight. It should lie flush with the lip of the oven all the way around. This is to ensure that the steam created inside the oven does not escape. Avoid ovens that have a molded solid tab on the lid for a handle because they are hard to lift and manage when they are full.

There are two basic types of Dutch ovens.

The ovens I like to use are generally made of heavy cast iron, I especially like those made by Le Creuset, although they an be expensive, they are a once in a lifetime purchase.