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Cast Iron Cooking. I love cooking on cast iron. It’s old. Dependable. A wonderful conductor of heat. It goes from stovetop to oven, plus it gives traces of iron to your food, which is just a bonus! Below are a few of my favorite Cast Iron Recipe Ideas.
In this post, I want to give a little history on how I began my cooking journey with cast iron, as well as a few Cast Iron Maintenance Practices. Please read to the end for 20 of my Favorite Cast Iron Recipes. Mostly these will be skillet recipes, but I’ll throw in some griddle recipes as well.
Years ago, I received my first cast iron skillet (two of them–one large and one small) as a Christmas present from my husband. The UPS man delivered them at 8 PM on Christmas Eve. Talk about a dedicated worker. And in a BLIZZARD! I wanted to give the man a hug! I was so excited. I knew they had been ordered, but I just assumed they wouldn’t arrive in time for Christmas.
The skillets came from Amazon. I had read a few reviews where some skillets arrived chipped or broken from poor quality shipping. Not mine. They arrived in perfect condition. And I cooked in them the next morning! I made eggs and bacon! And I’ve been cooking with them ever since.
A Few Tips on Cooking with Cast Iron
Some people are afraid of using cast iron, or they think there is some big mystery in cooking with them or cleaning them. There really isn’t. When cooking, make sure your skillet gets good and hot before adding eggs or meat to it. It may very well become your new best friend for nonstick cooking. One of the best tips I can offer for breaking in a new skillet–and repeat it like a mantra. “Bacon is Your Friend.”
Season Your Skillet
Make sure your cast iron cookware has been seasoned. If not, take the necessary steps to season your skillet before using.
Steps for Seasoning Cast Iron
If you buy a Lodge Cast Iron skillet, it will be pre-seasoned, so these next steps may be optional for you. However, use these steps if you ever need to re-season the skillet.
Wash item with soap and thoroughly dry.
Lightly coat with thin layer of oil or melted shortening.
Place upside down in a 375°F oven on the middle rack. Place a sheet of tinfoil below it to catch any drips.
Bake for one hour. Cool in oven. Your cast iron is now ready for using.
Cleaning and Caring Tips
When it comes to cleaning cast iron, it’s easier than you might think.
NEVER WASH YOUR CAST IRON IN SOAPY WATER – It will ruin the seasoning that you worked so hard to get.
To clean, simply discard any food remains that are in the skillet. Pour water in the skillet and place it on a hot burner to boil. Then using a long-handled sturdy brush, scrub the skillet along the bottom and sides until food particles or oils are gone. Discard the water and rinse skillet with hot water, giving the skillet another good scrub with your brush. Be sure to dry the skillet soon after with a paper towel.
Drying your skillet after it has been washed is very important as water will cause the cast iron to rust.
Finish with a light spray of cooking oil or rub with vegetable oil on a paper towel. I store my cast iron on top of my stove and in the bottom drawer of my stove.
Cast Iron Recipes
Now that we’ve covered the steps for seasoning and cleaning, lets move on to the many ways to use your cast iron. Below you’ll find my favorite skillet recipes for breads, meats, side dishes, and even desserts. Plus, I’ve included ideas for using a cast iron griddle. Have Fun and Happy Eating!
Skillet Recipes
1
Skillet Cornbread
This recipe so good. I never knew how good cornbread could be until I made it in my cast iron skillet. Delicious!
Here's a delicious and easy recipe to try when you want a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth steak. My husband gave this 5 stars! Serve with Oven Baked Fries, Baked Parmesan Fries, or Beer-Battered Onion Rings.
Here's a wonderful dish that is rich and savory…and easy to make as a one-pot meal. I especially like to make this when I have leftover mashed potatoes in my fridge.
Here's a recipe I love to bake in my Lodge Cast Iron Skillet. The dough bakes up into this thick, tender crust that is NOT greasy. It’s so soft and wonderful. Delicious!
Cast Iron Skillet Frittata is an easy, delicious, and very colorful recipe to make for your family for breakfast. Loaded with lots of vegetables and topped with cheddar cheese. So yummy. Perfect for the holidays, or anytime you’re looking for a filling breakfast.
Here's a delicious recipe I tried for a Wine and Cheese Tasting Party I had with hubby. Of all the dishes I experimented with that evening, we both liked this one best. Enjoy!
I like makingFried Apples in my cast iron skillet. Because of that, they also remind me of something a cowboy might eat, so you could also call it chuck wagon food! This recipe reminds me of the dish served at Cracker Barrel.
The following recipes may be used for making breakfast, but also quick breads.
15
Country Pancakes
These Country Pancakes are nearly perfect–as far as pancakes go. So tasty you can eat them as a snack. And tender enough to soak in thick maple syrup. But not so fluffy that they fall apart. Truly wonderful.
I like to make Cornmeal Buttermilk Pancakes when I want a little change of pace to my pancakes. It happens. Plus, I kinda groove on the grainy texture and the light corn taste, especially when dipped in warm syrup.
Our middle daughter loved making flour tortillas when she was in 4-H. In fact, it was the first bread-making recipe that she entered at the fair. Here's a recipe you can make for your family that will rival store-bought flour tortillas . . . with just a little effort.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post on Cooking with Cast Iron. This method of cooking also includes the use of Dutch ovens, enameled cast iron, or Camp Dutch Ovens (those used over hot coals). Be sure to check out the links below for even more cast iron recipes.
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